Gigabit-density magnetic recording

A tutorial on the principles of magnetic recording is given. The enormous rate of areal density increase for the past thirty years as well as the principal technological changes behind such sustained progress are outlined. The general issues involved in gigabit-density recording and the features that are common to both IBM´S and Hitachi´s gigabit efforts are explored. The principal recording components, namely, the recording head and the medium, are considered, focusing on the problems encountered in designing, optimizing, and realizing them for gigabit-density applications. The performance of gigabit recording configurations from both IBM and Hitachi is reviewed. The performance limitations of these gigabit configurations and the prospects for further areal density extensions in magnetic recording are discussed