Anisotropy in thin-film media—origins and applications (invited)

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Abstract
The magnetic recording properties of thin-film media are sensitive to a variety of deposition variables. Detailed analyses of these variations generally indicate that the cause of this sensitivity is anisotropy of the films at the microcrystalline level. The origins of anisotropy in thin films are reviewed as are the effects of anisotropy on magnetic recording performance. Applications where anisotropy is used to create enhanced performance for magnetic recording are presented. The problems involved in controlling the microstructural properties of recording media are considered. Finally, strategies to repeatably produce high-performance recording media are presented.