MFM imaging of bit transitions in 5 Gbit/in/sup 2/ CoCrPtTa media

In this study a quantitative analysis of magnetic force microscope images of bit transitions in media suitable for 5 Gbit/in/sup 2/ applications is made. Bit transitions written between 10 kfci and 400 kfci and DC erased domain features have been observed by using two types of MFM tips. Transition widths, the size of percolations in transitions and the cross track correlation length relative to DC erased domain features are reported upon. A comparison between cross track correlation lengths and media noise is made along with a discussion of the domain structure of tracks and percolations between bits written at very high kfci.