Enhancement of Magnetic Media Recording Performance Using Ion Irradiation to Tailor Exchange Coupling

Abstract

Magnetic medium recording performance can be enhanced by irradiating a magnetic medium with ions having an acceleration voltage of between 10 keV and 100 keV to induce exchange coupling between grains of the magnetic medium. The magnetic medium is exposed to a cumulative ion dosage of between 10 13 ions/cm 2 and 10 17 ions/cm 2 using a non-patterned exposure of the magnetic medium. The ions can be selected from the group consisting of H + , He + , Ne + , Ar + , Kr + , and Xe + . Alternatively, the ions can be selected from the group consisting of Ga + , Hg + , and In + .

1 - 16 . (canceled) 
   
   
       17 . A magnetic medium formed by irradiating the magnetic medium with ions having an acceleration voltage of between 10 keV and 100 keV to induce exchange coupling between grains of the magnetic medium, the ions being selected from the group consisting of Hg +  and In + . 
   
   
       18 . (canceled) 
   
   
       19 . (canceled) 
   
   
       20 . (canceled) 
   
   
       21 . The magnetic medium according to  claim 17 , wherein the magnetic medium has been exposed to an ion dosage of between 10 13  ions/cm 2  and 10 17  ions/cm 2 . 
   
   
       22 . The method according to  claim 17 , wherein an areal density of magnetic bits that can be recorded on the medium is increased by the irradiation of ions. 
   
   
       23 - 29 . (canceled)