Micromagnetic understanding of antiferromagnetically coupled media

Micromagnetic simulations have been conducted to analyze the recording performance of longitudinal thin film media with antiferromagnetically coupled underlayers, based on calculated hysteresis loops, cross track correlation functions and overwrite. It is found that, the design and control of magnetic anisotropy, interlayer exchange coupling and magnetic layer thickness are quintessential to warrant successful recording. A comparison to single layer conventional medium with the same remnant magnetization and thickness product revealed that, aside from apparent enhanced thermal stability, antiferromagnetically coupled media could have comparable, or even improved recording performance at high recording densities.