Data can be transmitted and represented by signal gaps in a transmission, the gaps having various attributes. In various examples, data points are encoded and represented by the attributes of said signal gaps. Various attributes of such gaps, including duration, pattern, quantity, time, and/or coordination with a gap in another signal can represent data.

Methods for forming a multi-layered nanoscale structure by forming a stack of individual polymeric layers on a substrate are provided. Each individual polymeric layer comprises a cured polymeric material immobilizing a pattern of magnetic nanoparticles. The pattern of magnetic nanoparticles can be different within each individual polymeric layer due to their nature of formation.

A magnetic recording medium includes a substrate; a lower base layer formed on the substrate; and a (001) oriented L1.sub.0 magnetic layer formed on the lower base layer and including a first magnetic layer formed on the lower base layer and having a granular structure of magnetic grains and a grain boundary portion, the grain boundary portion containing C, and a second magnetic layer formed on the first magnetic layer and having a granular structure of magnetic grains and a grain boundary portion, the grain boundary portion containing oxide or nitride, the second magnetic layer further containing one or more elements selected from a group consisting of Mg, Ni, Zn, Ge, Pd, Sn, Ag, Re, Au and Pb as an additive.

A patterned magnetic recording medium for use in heat assisted magnetic recording comprises an electrically conductive heat sink layer and a plurality of discrete magnetic recording elements positioned adjacent to a first surface of the heat sink layer. Disc drives that include the patterned medium and a method of magnetic recording using the patterned media are also included.

Data can be encoded in physical medium and represented by shapes having many various physical attributes. In various examples, data points are encoded and represented by the physical shape, color, size, and/or structure of objects. In one embodiment, holes in memory surface substrates represent data. Various attributes of such holes, including depth, profile size, profile shape, and/or angle can represent data.

A data storage medium includes a substrate, and a plurality of spaced-apart discrete data storage tracks supported by the substrate. The data storage medium also includes magnetic flux sinking material between the discrete data storage tracks and over the substrate. As an alternative to the magnetic flux sinking material, plasmonic material may be included between the discrete data storage tracks and over the substrate.

A magnetic recording medium for heat-assisted magnetic recording is provided. A magnetic recording layer includes upper and lower magnetic recording layers. The lower magnetic recording layer has a lower granular structure including lower magnetic crystal grains, and a lower non-magnetic portion, that surrounds the lower magnetic crystal grains, mainly composed of carbon. The upper magnetic recording layer has an upper granular structure including upper magnetic crystal grains, and an upper non-magnetic portion, that surrounds the upper magnetic crystal grains, formed from a material selected from the group consisting of silicon nitride, titanium oxide and titanium nitride.

The present invention relates to a device for magnetic recording that includes a storage medium having a media surface. The media surface has a plurality of lands and recesses between the lands. A polymer layer fills the recesses so that the media surface is substantially planar.

A data storage medium includes a substrate, and a plurality of spaced-apart discrete data storage tracks supported by the substrate. The data storage medium also includes magnetic flux sinking material between the discrete data storage tracks and over the substrate. As an alternative to the magnetic flux sinking material, plasmonic material may be included between the discrete data storage tracks and over the substrate.

Data can be transmitted and represented by signal gaps in a transmission, the gaps having various attributes. In various examples, data points are encoded and represented by the attributes of said signal gaps. Various attributes of such gaps, including duration, pattern, quantity, time, and/or coordination with a gap in another signal can represent data.