Methods for preparing patterned media for high-density recording

The areal bit density of magnetic disk recording has made a colossal increase over the last decades. Extrapolation leads to recording parameters not likely to be achieved without changes in the present way of storing magnetic data. One of the potential solutions is the use of patterned media, which should consist of a regular two-dimensional array of single domain dots with large uniaxial magnetic anisotropy. Such media will shift the super paramagnetic limit positively in comparison with the present thin film media.Theoretically, a bit density in the order of Tbpsi is possible. This paper will discuss the most valuable methods for preparing patterned media.