Effect of exchange field strength on magnetic and recording properties of SAF media

Summary form only given. In an effort to maintain the current areal density growth and overcome the thermal stability barrier, SAF (Synthetic Anti-Ferromagnetic) media has been shown to be a promising candidate. The exchange field strength (H/sub ex/) or the exchange coupling constant (J) plays a critical role in the enhancement of thermal stability at low Mrt for SAF media. In this work we show the effect of exchange coupling strength on the magnetic and recording properties of SAF media. The exchange field strength depends on the M/sub s/ and thickness of the bottom layer. The coupling field Hex as well as the magnetic reversal properties M/sub s/, H/sub cr/, and (K/sub u/V/k/sub B/T) were measured for both the top and bottom layers by using AGFM.