Micromagnetic simulations of antiferromagnetically coupled media

Antiferromagnetically coupled media were simulated using a micromagnetic model. Magnetic parameters, initially determined by fitting hysteresis loops to experimental media, were varied to determine their effect upon recording performance. The signal-to-noise ratio can be enhanced by tailoring the magnetic properties of the bias layer to an optimum M-s, introducing a small amount of exchange coupling and orienting the media. (C) 2002 American Institute of Physics.