Antiferromagnetically coupled magnetic media layers for thermally stable high-density recording

We describe a magnetic recording media composed of antiferromagnetically coupled (AFC) magnetic recording layers as an approach to extend areal densities of longitudinal media beyond the predicted superparamagnetic limit. The recording medium is made up of two ferromagnetic layers separated by a nonmagnetic layer whose thickness is tuned to couple the layers antiferromagnetically. For such a structure, the effective areal moment density (Mrt) of the composite structure is the difference between the ferromagnetic layers allowing the effective magnetic thickness to scale independently of the physical thickness of the media. Experimental realizations of AFC media demonstrate that thermally stable, low-Mrt media suitable for high-density recording can be achieved. (C) 2000 American Institute of Physics. [S0003-6951(00)02449-9].