Thermal stability of narrow track bits in a 5 Gbit/in/sup 2/ medium

The thermal stability of high density written bits in a 5 Gbit/in/sup 2/ CoCrPtTa/CrMo medium is examined using a magnetic force microscope. Images of the same 0.8 /spl mu/m-track all-ones pattern were taken before and after various anneal schedules. Written bits, which for the measured magneto-crystalline anisotropy and switching volume, are predicted by simulation studies to be thermally unstable reveal no significant degradation with annealing up to 490 K for 2 hours. This discrepancy emphasizes the need for more realistic theoretical models.