Co Alloy thin film media and granular media for 40 Gb/in/sup 2/ longitudinal recording (projection)

In the last 8 years, the areal density of rigid disk has been improving at annual growth rates of 60% by the application of (G)MR heads. If this growth rate continues, 40 Gb/in2 drives will he on the market around year 2003. Thus we have to develop ways to realize such areal density