Optimizing the Thickness and Diameter of Dual Structure Patterned Media Dots for Heat-Assisted Magnetic Recording

Dual structure bit patterned media were optimized for heat-assisted magnetic recording (HAMR). Each dot contained two discrete recording structures and was therefore able to store two bits of information. The optimized parameters were the dot diameter and the thicknesses of the recording structures. Analysis of the thermal stability of the magnetization at elevated temperatures suggested a design with a thicker recording structure on the bottom, where the head field was weaker, and a thinner structure on the top. Recording simulations showed that the optimal design could lead to user areal recording densities in excess of 9 Tbit/in2.