High density recording with perpendicular Co-Cr-Nb media and ring heads

Effective double layer structure was investigated by adding Nb to the sputtering source of Co-Cr thin film perpendicular magnetic recording tapes. The output from the tapes was measured with a ring head through to the short wavelength, λ50=0.19 μm (D50=267KFRPI).     

Corrosion-resisting Co-Pt thin film medium for high density recording

This paper describes a new material medium for high density longitudinal recording. Sputtered Co-Pt thin films will be shown to have excellent corrosion resistance and magnetic properties. Co-Pt thin films do not need a thick overcoat like plated Co-Ni-P films do, and have higher remanent flux density than ferrite thin films. Co1-xPtx(X=0-0.60) thin films prepared by r.f. diode sputtering have a maximum Hc value near X=20. The Hc, Bs and squareness, for 20 at.% Pt film are 1,100 Oe, 12,000 G and 0.80-0.90, respectively, at 0.1 μm film thickness. These values are not changed over 1-15 Watt/cm²power densities, corresponding to 6-85nm/min deposition rates. Films with more than 28 at.% Pt have no Bs change after immersion in water for over one month, indicating that the films are passive by this test, at least. Ni additions improve magnetic and corrosion properties. There is no Bs change for Co0.070Ni0.010Pt0.020films after immersion in water for over one month. Finally, 51 KFRPI linear recording density was obtained, at D50, using a Co0.70Ni0.10Pt0.20thin film disc with a 0.46 μm gap length head and a 0.12 μm head-medium spacing.     

The effect of the Bsof recording head cores on the magnetization of high coercivity media

Two types of recording heads, the cores of which had different values of saturation flux density Bsand almost the same values of effective permeability, were prepared and the recording characteristics with Ni-Co plated discs of varying coercivity Hc(410-900 Oe) were examined. The materials of the head cores were a sputtered alloy (Fe-Si-Al) film (B_{s} = 11 000G) and a single crystalline Mn-Zn ferrite (B_{s} = 3800G). Results showed that the Bsof the head core had to be about five times the Hcof the media to produce the beneficial effects of high Hcon short wavelength recording. From this point of view, the alloy film head has the advantage in high linear density recording because of its large Bs. By using an experimental laminated alloy film head of narrow-track width (60 μm), the core of which had a large effective permeability (such as 115 at 40 MHz), sine-wave signals of short wavelength (smaller than 1.5 μm) and of high frequency (such as 37 MHz) were recorded on a high Hc(900 Oe) plated disc and reproduced with the same head successfully.     

Extremely high bit density recording with single-pole perpendicular head

Since perpendicular magnetic recording is free from recording demagnetization, high-density recording up to the intrinsic limit of a recording medium is possible. This prediction was verified experimentally in a flexible disk system using a single-pole head and a Co-Cr/Ni-Fe double-layer medium. We could record and reproduce signals up to 680KFRPI. The recording bit length at the highest density was of the order of the Co-Cr columnar diameter.     

Side fringing fields and write and read crosstalk of narrow magnetic recording heads

In magnetic recording systems the side fringing fields of magnetic recording heads are responsible for crosstalk from adjacent tracks and eventually for partial erasure of adjacent tracks, thereby limiting the attainable track density. In this paper we derive analytical expressions for the magnetic field near the side of a recording head and calculate the cosine transform of the longitudinal field component, with the head side angle and gap length as parameters. The field of a head of zero width is also considered. Due to the side fringing field the written track is somewhat wider than the geometrical head width; the increase in width being approximately proportional to the maximum field strength in the recording medium and the head-to-medium distance. The amplitudeuof the read crosstalk signal from an adjacent, infinitesimally narrow track is calculated and it appears that it can be approximated byu/u_{0} = 0.5 exp (-2pi x/lambda), where u0is the on-track signal (with zero head-to-medium spacing),xis the distance between track and head side, and λ is the wavelength. Maximum track densities are calculated for a specified crosstalk-to-signal ratio and a given head width and wavelength. For a wavelength of 10 μm, a head width of 5 μm, and a crosstalk of -20 dB, the track density is limited to about 130 tracks/mm, assuming a track width equal to the head width. When the track is taken to be 5 μm wider than the head to account for the effects of the write process, no guardband at all is needed for -20 dB crosstalk and the limit to the track density is 100 tracks/mn.     

Transverse recording using thin film recording heads

This paper presents the results of an investigation of a high density magnetic recording technique utilizing a thin film recording head and a transverse mode of recording on thin media. The significant results of this investigation are as follows. 1) Densities as high as 18 500 transitions per inch were experimentally written in a 300-Å thick FeCr medium having an Hcof 70 oersteds. 2) These densities were written with a thin film, vapor-deposited, recording head having a MATED-FILM® structure with a 0.4-mil etched gap. 3) Track widths of 1-mil on 2-mil centers were experimentally achieved. 4) Optical readout of a 0.2-mil wide transition (width of beam) region corresponding to 5000 transitions per inch was achieved using a laser beam and a linear motion transport system under ideal experimental conditions. 5) The magnetic field from the Néel wall separating recording domains was detected using a MATED-FILM Etched Gap head making this a possible readout method. Maximum achieved linear bit densities as a function of recording media coercivities are given.     

Permanent magnet utilization criteria in a DC motor

In a dc motor with permanent magnet stator, the mean no-load working point of the magnet material can, after stabilization by stall current, be represented by a pointB_{m},H_{m}on a recoil line inside the demagnetization curve. The point results from the application during stall of an effective mean field Hadue to armature reaction in addition to the self-demagnetizing field due to circuit reluctance. It is shown that the motor specification and sizes lead to a specific value forH_{m}/H_{a}. The limiting values of this ratio (Hmzero or Hazero) imply that the corresponding optimum magnet designs for minimum magnet volume should be based either on maximum recoil energy or on(BH)_{max}. In practice, the best extreme working point during stall should lie between the points for these two criteria, dependent on the actualH_{m}/H_{a}. In some existing motorsH_{m}/H_{a}has been found to be between 0.5 and 1.5. For such values ofH_{m}/H_{a}, the variation of Bmand ofB_{m},H_{m}with working point is illustrated for high coercivity ferrite and for two grades of cast alnico alloy. A note on design methods is appended     

An electroplated 84Fe-5Ni-11Cu isotropic thin film for the cubic waffle-iron

The information storage media in the cubic waffle-iron memory is a square loop, isotropic, medium coercive force planar film called the overlay, which is placed in contact with ferrite posts. An 84Fe-5Ni-11Cu alloy has been developed to meet the requirements of the waffle-iron overlay. The film is electrodeposited on a specially prepared2 frac{1}/{2}by1 frac{1}/{4}by 0.040 inch copper substrate. The basic waffle-iron cell has an area of 30 mils by 30 mils, yielding a storage density in the film of 1100 b/in². The film has a coercive force of 10 Oe, 0.9 squareness ratio, 7000-Å thickness, and 0.52 Oe-μs switching coefficient. The preparation technique of the substrate has resulted in a 75-percent yield of films in which every bit output exceeds a level of 5 mV. Operational data has shown output uniformity to be maintained within ±10 percent. A corrosion study at 95°F and 90-percent humidity of eight protective coatings has resulted in the choice of Acryloid lacquer as the protective coating for the iron-rich alloy. This coating, which is applied evenly by a controlled dipping process, also provides electrical insulation between the film and the drive windings. Preliminary results of a six-month aging study at 60°C show no significant change in the hysteresis loop of the films.     

The vibrating head magnetometer--Instrument for the measurement of magnetic transitions in high coercive force films

The magnetization pattern recorded in high coercive force media, such as magnetic tapes or discs, is measured with the vibrating head magnetometer (VHM) by vibrating a recording head parallel to the surface of the medium and along the track length. The VHM can be used with small, irregular-shaped samples. It can be used to measure precisely the shape of recorded magnetic transitions. Application of the VHM to the precise location of dropouts on prerecorded samples and to the alignment of a recording head with respect to a prerecorded track is described. Measurements have been made with the VHM of the half peak width and relative peak signal of isolated transitions in Co alloy films. The half peak width was found to be proportional to(t/H_{c})^{0.5}.     

Magnetic materials for integrated cores

Magnetic materials for an integrated magnetic core memory have been developed. The materials are for a storage layer about 1 μm thick and a low reluctance keeper layer. Materials investigated were Co-Ni-Fe for the storage layer and Cr-Ni-Fe for the keeper. Measurements were made ofH_{c}, B_{s}, B_{r}, lambda_{s}, S_{w}, H_{0}, and Hdisturb. Layer stress and adhesion were also measured. Special apparatus, which is described, has been developed to perform some of the measurements. Variation of properties with substrate surface, substrate temperature, and oxygen pressure during evaporation are reported.     

A sensitive magnetoresistive power amplifier

A small, sensitive, low noise, high gain power amplifier, using the anisotropic magnetoresistance effect in thin film permalloy, has been designed and its characteristics calculated. The minimum detectable input current is determined by Johnson noise and hence by input resistance and desired bandwidth. An example of theoretical performance is as follows. For an amplifier unit with approximate dimensions of300 times 300 times 2 mum and with input and load resistances of 50 Ω each the calculated noise at room temperature is equivalent to 10^-8A for a bandwidth (BW) of 1MHz or to 10^-7A for a BW of 100 MHz. At the 10^-8A input current level, the calculated power gain issim 600,000corresponding to a current gain of 775. Power gain decreases with input current asI^{-4/3}, reaching unity atI = 2.1 times 10^{-4}A. Hence, for a BW of 1 MHz, at room temperature, the input current operating range for both amplification and signal-to-noise ratio greater than one is fromI=10^{-8}A to2.1 times 10^{-4}A. To achieve high gain, the amplifier is configured so that the magnetization of the permalloy is biased to lie nominally along the hard axis, the sensing current in the permalloy makes an angle of 45° with the nominal magnetization direction, and the input current produces a magnetic field along the easy axis. This microsize, low noise, silicon compatible power amplifier will be useful in digital and FM applications and possibly as an amplifier for crosstie and bubble memories.     

Effects of spacer layer elastic properties on metallic thin film edge-induced stress gradients in bubble memory devices

It is well-known that metallization edge-induced stresses can change the uniaxial magnetic anisotropy of a liquid phase epitaxial (LPE) garnet film near the metallization edge. We have investigated this magnetostrictive interaction of patterned metallic films with ion-implanted LPE films by using several different spacer layers such as polyimide, SiO2, Si3N4, and combinations of polyimide and SiO2beneath a Cr-Cu-Cr conductor pattern. It is concluded that the stress eliminating capability of a spacer depends on the hardness parameterK = frac{E_{s}(1-numin{f}max{2})}{E_{f}(1-numin{s}max{2})}whereE_{s} , E_{f}are Young's moduli andnu_{s}, nu_{f}are Poisson's ratios for the spacer and metallic film, respectively. The polyimide spacer withE_{s} < 10^{11}dyn/cm²and withK leq 0.1transmits an order of magnitude of smaller stress than a SiO2spacer withK geq 1with the stress being more uniformly distributed across the spacer.     

Amplitude and bit shift spectra comparisons in thin metallic media

Signal and bit shift measurements have been made on a variety of thin metallic media. The high density outputs increase monotonically with coercivity while an optimum occurs for a thickness variation. At 80 KFRPI a 900 Oe 1.1μ" disc exceeds a conventional oxide disc in signal by 30 dB for small head-medium spacings. Bit shift measured on a MFM 11011011 pattern is always less than that given by linear superposition. For small spacings 15% bit shift occurs @ 72 KFRPI for the 900 Oe disc compared to 15 KFRPI for the oxide.     

Fourier synthesis of digital recording waveforms

A digital recording system is modeled by means of a complex Fourier series representation employing transforms of arctangent functions to describe the effects of write field gradient demagnetization and self-demagnetization. Pulse asymmetry and rise time effects are incorporated by means of phase shifts from complex transfer functions used in describing the dependence of head properties on a complex permeability. Experimental measurements on a specific system (Co substituted γ-Fe2O3tape and metal heads) show good correlation with the theory, especially with respect to spectral content, waveform shape, and peak shifts. The model is one-dimensional and limited to recording media initially ac demagnetized and to a write current range in which it is possible to define an effective penetration depth for saturation recording.     

Media limitations on achievement of maximum detection window

The recording performance of a digital recording system is primarily dependent upon the isolated half pulse width (T50), signal amplitude, intersymbol interference (ISI), signal to noise ratio (SNR) and the horizontal detection window margin (Tm). These characteristics are related to the thickness and magnetic properties of the media, as well as the head/media interface. This paper addresses the relationship of the media characteristics in longitudinal digital magnetic recording for both particulate and thin film media to the overall recording system performance. The results are shown to proceed from further development of the quasi-optimum time containment filter analysis for media noise dominant and electronic (white) noise dominant recording channels [1], [2].     

Static and anhysteretic magnetic properties of tapes

The anhysteretic remanencebar{M}_{ar}(H_{o},T)of solidified suspensions of magnetic particles with predominant shape anisotropy is calculated from first principles for small dc fields Hoand arbitrary temperatureT < T_{B}(blocking temperature), describing the particle interactions by a mean field and assuming constant decrement of the ac field,2H_{d}per cycle. ForH_{d}< 2H_{o}, the anhysteretic distribution of particle magnetizations is found to be subject to the condition that the net internal dc fieldbar{H}_{i}is a minimum, and, for small Ho, to the condition,bar{H}_{i} = 0. The theory yieldsbar{M}_{ar}(H_{o},T)as a unique function of independently measurable static magnetic material properties, i.e., it contains no adjustable parameters and is hence quantitatively related to experimental data. Further, according to theory, ifbar{M}_{ar}(H_{o},T,T_{m})denotesbar{M}_{ar}as acquired in Hoat T and measured atT_{m}, bar{M}_{ar}(H_{o},T,T_{m} = T)is independent ofTforH_{d} ll 2H_{o}, andbar{M}_{ar}(H_{o},T,T_{m} neq T) = [M_{s}(T_{m})/M_{s}(T)] cdot bar{M}_{ar}(H_{o},T,T_{m} = T). The thermoremanent magnetization acquired in Hoand measured at a temperatureT_{m} ll T_{B},bar{M}_{thr}(H_{o},T_{m}), is related tobar{M}_{ar}(H_{o},T = T_{m}, T_{m})bybar{M}_{thr}(H_{o},T_{m}) = [M_{s}(T_{m})/M_{s}(T_{B})]bar{M}_{ar}(H_{o},T=T_{m},T_{m}), where TBis the blocking temperature below whichbar{M}_{thr}becomes thermally stable. Up to a constant factor of about 2, the theoretical results agree quantitatively with the experimental data on all materials that correspond to the premises of the theory, i.e., solidified suspensions, tapes in particular, of particles having predominant shape anisotropy.     

Cobalt--Ferrous ferrite with re-entrant hysteresis loop

If the field Hrrequired to initiate flux reversal exceeds the Hwrequired to continue reversal, a re-entrant hysteresis loop results. This has been observed in magnetically annealed cobalt-ferrous ferrites in which Hrat 10 to 20 Oe may be as high as1.5 times H_{w}at room temperature. Frequently, these ferrites are bistable and show no minor loops. Flux reversal appears to involve only one domain wall, giving rise to high squareness but slow switching ; typical values for a 12-mm toroid areR_{s} = 0.99ands = 540 mus Oe. Intermediate stabilized magnetization states have been introduced into these materials by a simple annealing procedure. Switching now occurs between three or more magnetization states, providing the basis for a multistable device. Details of preparation and measurement are given and the results discussed in terms of various models.     

Uniaxial anisotropy by "radiomagnetic" treatment; controlling factors in a new process

A new process-an electron-"radiomagnetic" treatment-for obtaining high-remanence, low-coercive-force loops in magnetic alloys was recently announced. As an example, 2-MeV electron irradiation of 6-mil-thick ring laminations of polycrystalline 5-80 Mo Permalloy with 10¹⁷e/cm²in an applied circumferential magnetic field of 0.2 Oe atsim100degC produced record highs in remanence (∼6700 G) for this material. Additional studies of this process have been made to determine some of the controlling factors and the range of application. In particular, the effects of the dose (number of e/cm²) and of the preirradiation magnetic properties were examined. The results show that: 1) for a given dose of1.1 times 10^{17}2-MeV e/cm², the relative change in remanence (DeltaB_{r}/B_{r}) is always positive, ranging from 10 to 50 percent, but varies inversely with the preirradiation value of remanence (Br); 2) for the same dose, the relative change in coercive force (DeltaH_{c}/H_{c}) also depends upon the preirradiation value of remanence, but in a different way. ForB_{r} < 5000G,DeltaH_{c}/H_{c}is either negative or zero. ForB_{r} > 5000G,DeltaH_{c}/H_{c}is positive, ranging from 20 to 150 percent, and increases linearly withB_{r}; 3) if the dose is reduced tosim0.8 times 10^{17}e/cm², thenDeltaH_{c}/H_{c}is reduced to a tolerable level (∼10 percent) with no significant sacrifice in the positive gain in remanence and rectangularity. Hence, there are optimum dose ranges in the "radio-magnetic" treatments of alloys, where significant gains in remanence may be obtained without appreciable increases in coercive force.     

Recording characteristics of electroless-plated perpendicular media for flexible disks

The read/write characteristics of electroless-plated perpendicular magnetic recording media for flexible disks were studied using commercial VHS and 8-mm VTR ring heads. Excellent results were shown for a medium composed of Co-Ni-Re-P plated on a non-magnetic electroless-plated Ni-P layer. A Ni-P underlayer of only 500 Å greatly improved the read/write characteristics of the disk. Reproduced signals over 300 kFRPI were observed for a system using a VHS head, andD_{50} = 134kFRPI was obtained using an 8-mm head.     

Demagnetization due to inverse magnetostriction effects inlongitudinal thin film media

Unpredictable mechanical stresses that occur during the operation of hard disk drives can degrade the recorded signal. On the basis of a micromagnetic analysis and the calculated stress field during head-disk impact, inverse magnetostriction effects in longitudinal recording thin film media are considered and demagnetization due to head-disk impact is simulated numerically. Thin film media are modeled as planar hexagonal arrays of hexagonally shaped grains. The computation uses the conjugate gradient algorithm to minimize the variation of the total energy. In particular, the effect of the stress on the relaxation process is investigated. Also the change in the remanent magnetization due to repetitive head-disk impacts is calculated. We obtained results indicating that the effect of the impact stress during dynamic loading is not so significant as to cause data loss during operation for the longitudinal thin film media