A recording medium having improved signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) capabilities includes a NiFeX-based magnetic seed layer over a soft magnetic underlayer, where X comprises an element that is soluble in and has a higher melting point than Ni. X may be selected from a group of elements, including ruthenium (Ru), which may facilitate growth of smaller grains and distributions in the corresponding magnetic recording layer(s).

One aspect of a perpendicular magnetic recording (PMR) media stack includes two intermediate layers, and a spacer layer formed between the two intermediate layers, wherein a surface energy of the spacer layer is lower than a surface energy of the two intermediate layers.

According to one embodiment, a magnetic recording medium with high magnetic recording characteristics and improved corrosion resistance is obtained. The magnetic recording medium includes a substrate, an orientation control layer provided on the substrate and made from a Ni alloy or an Ag alloy, a nonmagnetic seed layer provided to be in contact with the orientation control layer, a perpendicular magnetic recording layer containing Fe or Co and Pt as main components. The nonmagnetic seed layer is formed of Ag particles, Ge grain boundaries and a compound X, and the compound X is selected from an oxide, nitride or carbide of aluminum, titanium, chromium, silicon and tantalum and also distributed in both the Ag particles and Ge grain boundaries.

To provide a heating device capable of heating a surface of a workpiece having a disk shape with a hole in the center at high productivity and uniformity, a heating device for heating a workpiece by irradiating workpiece with light has a feature that I.sub.1/I.sub.2 is 1.00 or less, and I.sub.3/I.sub.2 is 0.90 or more 1.50 or less, where I.sub.1 represents average amount of light irradiation on first region in which the hole of the workpiece is formed, I.sub.2 represents average amount of light irradiation on second region surrounding first region from outer side, I.sub.3 represents average amount of light irradiation on third region extending from outer periphery of second region to outer periphery of workpiece, provided that the radius of outer periphery of second region is 0.30R.sub.H+0.70R.sub.W, where R.sub.H represents the radius of the hole, and R.sub.W represents the radius of outer periphery of the workpiece and third region.

To provide a heating device capable of heating a surface of a workpiece having a disk shape with a hole in the center at high productivity and uniformity, a heating device for heating a workpiece by irradiating workpiece with light has a feature that I.sub.1/I.sub.2 is 1.00 or less, and I.sub.3/I.sub.2 is 0.90 or more 1.50 or less, where I.sub.1 represents average amount of light irradiation on first region in which the hole of the workpiece is formed, I.sub.2 represents average amount of light irradiation on second region surrounding first region from outer side, I.sub.3 represents average amount of light irradiation on third region extending from outer periphery of second region to outer periphery of workpiece, provided that the radius of outer periphery of second region is 0.30R.sub.H+0.70R.sub.W, where R.sub.H represents the radius of the hole, and R.sub.W represents the radius of outer periphery of the workpiece and third region.

Provided are apparatus, systems and methods relating to magnetic recording on tape. A tape storage apparatus may be used that includes a probe head for writing data by perpendicular recording on a magnetic tape including a magnetic particle layer and a soft magnetic underlayer. The probe head includes a probe tip and a trailing shield adjacent to the probe tip.

Provided are apparatus, systems and methods relating to magnetic recording on tape. A tape storage apparatus may be used that includes a probe head for writing data by perpendicular recording on a magnetic tape including a magnetic particle layer and a soft magnetic underlayer. The probe head includes a probe tip and a trailing shield adjacent to the probe tip.

A perpendicular magnetic recording medium adapted for high recording density and high data recording rate comprises a non-magnetic substrate having at least one surface with a layer stack formed thereon, the layer stack including a perpendicular recording layer containing a plurality of columnar-shaped magnetic grains extending perpendicularly to the substrate surface for a length, with a first end distal the surface and a second end proximal the surface, wherein each of the magnetic grains has: (1) a gradient of perpendicular magnetic coercivity H.sub.k extending along its length between the first end and second ends; and (2) predetermined local exchange coupling strengths along the length.

Systems and methods for providing high performance soft magnetic underlayers for magnetic recording media are described. One such magnetic recording medium includes a substrate, an amorphous soft magnetic underlayer including CoFeMoNb on the substrate, where an atomic percent of the Mo is greater than about 8 and an atomic percent of the Nb is greater than about 9, and a magnetic recording layer on the soft magnetic underlayer.

Systems and methods for providing high performance soft magnetic underlayers for magnetic recording media are described. One such magnetic recording medium includes a substrate, an amorphous soft magnetic underlayer including CoFeMoNb on the substrate, where an atomic percent of the Mo is greater than about 8 and an atomic percent of the Nb is greater than about 9, and a magnetic recording layer on the soft magnetic underlayer.