In this book, 17 experts in magnetic recording focus on the underlying physical mechanisms that play crucial roles in medium and transducer development for high areal density disk drives. In 11 chapters, an examination is made of the fundamental physical concepts and their impact on recording mechanisms, with special emphasis on thin-film longitudinal, perpendicular, patterned and nanoparticle media. Theoretical and experimental investigations are presented which serve to enhance our basic understanding of thin-film dynamics, medium dynamics and thermal effects. Fundamental aspects of magnetotransport are discussed and an overview is given of recording head designs.

Application-oriented book on magnetic recording, focussing on the underlying physical mechanisms that play crucial roles in medium and transducer development for high areal density disk drives.