Progress and Prospects in Magnetic Data Storage

Magnetic recording has been the dominant data storage technology for many years, and presently delivers higher bit density at lower cost than magneto-optic data storage. The trend of ever-increasing bit density for magnetic recording is now, however, encountering some fundamental physical barriers. We examine here these barriers and conclude that a change in magnetic recording paradigm, probably including the use of patterned media, will be required to carry magnetic data storage to and beyond 100 Gbit/ in2.