High Density Digital Recording, Softcover reprint of the original 1st ed. 1993 NATO Science Series E: Series, Vol. 229

High density digital magnetic and magneto-optical storage devices are widely used in audio, video, and data processing information technology, as well as in CAD/CAM computer systems. These widespread uses generate a continually increasing demand for both increased information storage densities and capacities, and for reduced access times. Hence, the materials engineering of high density storage media, with a high signal to noise ratio, and the associated design of sophisticated read and write heads, form the basis of major technological research. This research is especially complex because, ideally, the recorded information should be both erasable and, at the same time, secure and accessible over periods of many decades. As a result, research on these complex problems requires a multidisciplinary approach which utilizes the expertise in such widely differing fields as organic, inorganic, and solid state chemistry, metallurgy, solid state physics, electrical and mechanical engineering, and systems analysis. Often, further research specialization is necessary in each of these different disciplines. For instance, solid state physics and chemistry address the problems of crystallographic structure and phase diagram determination, magnetism, and optics, but more advanced research methods, such as high resolution electron microscopy and electronic band structure calculations, are necessary to understand the microstructure of particulate recording media or the electronic spectra of magneto-optical recording media.

Preface. 1. Fundamental Concepts and Units in Magnetism and Magnetic Recording; F. Grandjean, G.J. Long. 2. Digital Magnetic Recording; S.B. Luitjens. 3. Magnetic Properties and Preparation of Thin-Film Magnetic Recording Media; J.C. Lodder. 4. Properties of Particulate Recording Media; R.W. Chantrell, K. O'Grady. 5. Metal Evaporated Tapes and Co-Cr Media for High Definition Video Recording; H. Hibst. 6. Preparation, Microstructure, and Magnetic Properties of Co-Cr Thin Films; J.C. Lodder. 7. High Density Video Recording: Media and Recording. Considerations; H.J. Richter. 8. System Aspects of Digital Magnetic Recording; S.B. Luitjens. 9. Magnetic Heads for High Density Recording; J.M. Fedeli. 10. Tribology of Magnetic Head-Medium Interface; B. Bhushan. 11. Ultra-Thin Film Magnetism; U. Gradmann. 12. Introduction to Erasable Magneto-Optical Recording; K.H.J. Buschow. 13. Materials Engineering towards a High Kerr Rotation; J. Schoenes. 14. Structure and Stability of Amorphous Alloys; K.H.J. Buschow. 15. Magnetic Properties of Materials for Magneto-Optical Recording; P. Hansen. 16. Magneto-Optical Properties of Recording Materials; P. Hansen. 17. Co-Pt Multilayers for Magneto-Optical Recording; C.-J. Lin. 18. Structural Origins of Magnetic Anisotropy in Amorphous Non-S-State Rare Earth Transition Metal Films; V.G. Harris, W.T. Elam, N.C. Koon. 19. Magneto-Optic Drive Systems; E.W. Williams. 20. Noise in Magneto-Optic Drive Systems; H.C. Patel, R.H. Noyau, E.W. Williams. 21. Magneto-Optical Recording Applications; E.W. Williams. Appendix. Author Index. Subject Index.