Magnetic bubble domain memories in epitaxial garnet films

This paper describes the use of magnetic bubble domains in garnets for computer memory applications. Requirements for computing machine memories are reviewed. Magnetic bubble domain memory technology is described, including bubble domain generation, propagation, and detection. No single garnet composition gives the desired combination of high mobility, useful bubble domain size, and low sensitivity to temperature and bias field. Prototype devices have been constructed which operate routinely at 0.1 MHz data rates. Preliminary estimates of reliability suggest a potential mean time between failures of the order of 1011 hours.