Gbit/in(2) perpendicular recording using double layer medium and MIG head

Perpendicular recording has been studied using ring heads for read and write as a start for practical use. It was confirmed that an areal recording density of 1 Gbit/in(2) could be achieved by using a MIG type ring head for recording and a narrow gap ring head for reproducing combined with a single layer Co-Cr system alloy medium with a thin soft magnetic backlayer. Improvement in overwrite properties with the backlayer and noise reduction by increasing the Cr content are discussed. It is concluded that it would be possible to realize a 10 Gbit/in(2) recording system by perpendicular recording by using a high resolution MR head without any fundamental changes in the medium.