MFM observation of magnetization reversal process in recording media with lithographically defined texture

Periodically textured magnetic recording media with different groove depths are investigated. A spatial map of the variation in the switching field and switching field distribution are derived from a series of MFM images. When the reversing field is applied along the texture, long chains of reversal are formed and channeled by the texture grooves. Most grains switch within a relatively small range of applied fields. For fields applied transverse to the texture, short chains of reversal form along the textured grooves, and switching occurs over a broader applied field range.