Pseudo-binary alloys and exchange springs: a review of media concepts for thermally assisted magnetic recording

An overview of media properties and their influence on the recording process in thermally assisted magnetic recording (TAR) will be given. A novel media scheme using exchange coupled FePt/FeRh bi-layers that attempts to circumvent some of the limitations encountered by 'simple' ferromagnetic media will be discussed. Utilizing the exchange spring behavior of the bi-layer above T/sub AF-FM/, this concept allows reversal of the magnetization of the FePt layer in fields comparable to those provided by current write heads at temperatures considerably lower than T/sub C/ of FePt without compromising the thermal stability of the storage layer.