Recording characteristics and thermal stability of AFC thin film media

We present a micromagnetic and analytical analysis of double layer media with antiferromagnetic exchange coupling. It has been found that in order to achieve good recording performance, strong interlayer exchange coupling and large thickness ratio are desired. When the thickness of the bottom layer is small, thermal activation assists the bottom layer to switch, which requires a smaller interlayer exchange coupling constant. Thermal stability of double layer AFC media has also been investigated in comparison to single layer media in the case of strong and weak interlayer exchange coupling.