Thermal effects and recording performance at high recording densities

Both dynamic coercivity and thermal decay were quantified by non-destructive spinstand measurements. Media composition was found to significantly affect the stability factor for films having comparable static magnetic properties. Signal decay correlated well with the stability factor as calculated from dynamic coercivity measurements. Monitoring the signal from a harmonic-eliminating pattern is seen to be a robust method for measuring decay. Pattern-dependent amplitude decay leads to enhanced non-linear distortion as thermal decay occurs in complex data patterns recorded at high densities.