Gigabit-Density Magnetic Recording

Abstract

In this paper e start ith a tutorial on the principles of magnetic recording. e outline the dramatic rate of areal density increase for the past thirty years as ell as the principal technological changes behind such sustained progress. e then explore the general issues involved in gigabit-density recording and the features that are common to both IBM’s and Hitachi’s gigabit ef-forts. e then focus on the principal recording components, namely the recording head and the medium, and discuss the challenges in designing, optimizing, and realizing them for gigabit-density applications. This ill be folloed by a revie of the performance of gigabit recording configurations from both IBM and Hitachi. e conclude ith remarks on the performance limitations of these gigabit configurations and the prospects for further areal density extensions in magnetic recording. © 1993 IEEE