Simulations of magnetic recording in CGC perpendicular media with random pinning sites

Abstract

Coupled granular-continuous (CGC) perpendicular media have been shown to improve thermal stability without compromising SNR. Furthermore, simulations have indicated how CGC media might circumvent conventional limits to areal density by providing a balance of interactions across the bit length that simultaneously increases activation volume and smoothes bit transition irregularity. However, performing a meaningful analysis of media recording performance using the model was hindered by the non-random nature of the irregularity used to demonstrate the effect. We analyze tracks written in CGC media consisting of grains having a random anisotropy constant, Ku, using a 3D micromagnetic model. The thickness of the granular layer, g, and continuous layer, c, are varied whilst maintaining a constant media thickness.