Jitter reduction by using a continuous hard-magnetic layer for perpendicular recording media

Reduction of medium noise is crucial in perpendicular magnetic recording. The coupled granular and continuous (CGC) medium that has layered continuous and granular films is a candidate for obtaining high SNR. We investigated noise characteristics of the CGC double-layered medium by focusing on transition jitter and a magnetization transition analysis with an MFM. Results from analysis of waveform and MFM images show that transition smoothing is considered to take place by depositing the continuous layer. Transition jitter is reduced with a CGC structure. Also high thermal stability is simultaneously achieved.