JP2011192353A - Magnetic recording reproducing device, magnetic recording medium, and recording method therefor - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a magnetic recording reproducing device that ensures satisfactory recording/reproducing characteristics and has a magnetic recording medium of high recording density with fine track elements and track separation elements, and to provide a magnetic recording medium for use in the magnetic recording reproducing device and a recording method therefor. <P>SOLUTION: The magnetic recording reproducing device is configured to execute offset recording in which magnetic signals are recorded on a target track element by controlling the position of a recording head 14A in the width direction Dw, so that the center Chw of the recording head 14A in the width direction Dw is offset in a direction apart from a track element which is paired with the target track element, with respect to the center of the target recording track element, in one of the following processes to be executed later: in a first track element recording process, the magnetic signals are recorded on a first track element 26A out of the first and second track elements 26A and 26B disposed between two track separation elements 22;and in a second track element recording step, the magnetic signals are recorded on the second track element 26B. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a magnetic recording / reproducing apparatus having a magnetic recording medium including a track element and a track separation element, a magnetic recording medium used therefor, and a recording method thereof.

  Conventionally, magnetic recording / reproducing apparatuses such as hard disk drives have achieved remarkable surface recording density of magnetic recording media through improvements such as miniaturization of magnetic particles constituting the recording layer of magnetic recording media, changes in materials, and miniaturization of magnetic head processing. Although further improvement in the surface recording density is expected in the future, it is expected that the recording density of the track adjacent to the recording target track due to the processing limit of the magnetic head and the expansion of the recording magnetic field of the magnetic head will be improved. Problems such as erroneous information recording and crosstalk at the time of reproduction have become obvious, and the improvement of the surface recording density of the magnetic recording medium by the conventional improvement method has reached its limit.

  On the other hand, discrete track media and patterned media having a track element and a track separation element in a data area have been proposed as candidates for a magnetic recording medium that can further improve the surface recording density. The track element of discrete track media is formed in the shape of a track, whereas the track element of patterned media is formed in the shape of a recording bit. For example, a resin layer is formed on a continuous magnetic layer that is a material of a track element, and the resin layer is processed into an uneven pattern corresponding to a track or a recording bit by imprinting or lithography, and based on the resin layer of the uneven pattern Thus, the track element in the shape of a track or a recording bit can be formed by etching the magnetic layer. It is also proposed to form one or more mask layers between the magnetic layer and the resin layer, etch the mask layer based on the resin layer, and etch the magnetic layer based on the mask layer. (For example, refer to Patent Document 1). Further, a filler such as a non-magnetic material is formed on the workpiece on which the track element is formed, and the grooves between the track elements are filled, and the excess filler on the track element is dry-etched or CMP. The track separation element can be formed between the track elements by removing the film and flattening. If good flying characteristics of the magnetic head can be obtained, the track separation element may be a groove (gap) without filling the groove between the track elements. Also, the portion corresponding to the track element or the track separation element in the magnetic layer of the continuous film is subjected to ion implantation treatment or reaction gas treatment to form a track separation element in the non-ferromagnetic region and a track element in the ferromagnetic region. It has also been proposed (see, for example, Patent Documents 2 and 3).

  Thus, it is expected to improve the surface recording density by forming the track separation elements between the track elements and magnetically separating the track elements from each other.

  However, in order to improve the surface recording density, it is necessary to reduce the width of the track element and the width of the track separation element therebetween. As the required surface recording density is increased, a track separation element having a small width is formed. Therefore, there is a problem that it becomes difficult to separate track elements having a small width.

  On the other hand, a magnetic recording medium is known in which two rows of track elements are provided on the convex portion of one magnetic material constituting the recording layer (see, for example, Patent Document 4). Thus, by providing two rows of track elements on the convex portion of one magnetic body, it is expected that the track pitch is narrowed and the surface recording density is improved.

JP-A-9-97419 JP 2002-288813 A JP 2002-359138 A JP 2009-20929 A

  However, it is difficult for a magnetic recording / reproducing apparatus provided with this magnetic recording medium to suppress crosstalk during erroneous information recording and reproduction between two rows of track elements arranged on the convex portion of one magnetic material. There was a case.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and includes a magnetic recording medium having a fine track element and a track separation element and a high recording density, and a magnetic recording / reproducing apparatus having good recording / reproducing characteristics. It is an object of the present invention to provide a magnetic recording medium used for recording and a recording method thereof.

  The present invention relates to a substrate, a recording layer formed on a substrate having a first track element and a second track element which are formed in a pattern corresponding to the track and are arranged alternately in the width direction of the track, A pair of first track elements and second track elements are disposed between two track separation elements adjacent to each other in the track width direction, including track separation elements formed along the circumferential direction, and the first track elements are adjacent to each other. A magnetic recording medium that is disposed in contact with one of the two track separation elements, the second track element is disposed in contact with the other track separation element, and records a magnetic signal on the magnetic recording medium. And a magnetic head having a reproducing head for reproducing a magnetic signal recorded on the magnetic recording medium, and a control for controlling the magnetic head. A first track element recording step for recording a magnetic signal on the first track element, and a second track element recording for recording the magnetic signal on a second track element paired with the first track element. The direction in which the center in the width direction of the recording head moves away from the other track element that forms a pair with the track element to be recorded with respect to the center in the width direction of the track element to be recorded in the process executed at least after the process The above-mentioned object is achieved by a magnetic recording / reproducing apparatus that controls the magnetic head to perform offset recording in which the position of the recording head in the width direction is controlled so as to be offset to perform recording of a magnetic signal on the track element to be recorded. It is what.

  The present invention also provides a substrate, a recording layer formed on the substrate with a first track element and a second track element which are formed in a pattern corresponding to the track and are arranged alternately in the width direction of the track, and A pair of first track elements and a second track element disposed between two track separation elements adjacent to each other in the width direction of the track, including a track separation element formed along a circumferential direction of the track; Is arranged in contact with one track separation element of two adjacent track separation elements, and the second track element records a magnetic signal on the first track element in the magnetic recording medium arranged in contact with the other track separation element At least a first track element recording step and a second track element recording step of recording a magnetic signal on a second track element paired with the first track element In the later process, the center in the width direction of the recording head is offset in the direction away from the other track element paired with the track element to be recorded with respect to the center in the width direction of the track element to be recorded. Thus, the above object is achieved by a recording method for a magnetic recording medium that performs offset recording in which the position of the recording head in the width direction is controlled to record a magnetic signal on a track element to be recorded.

  Since no track separation element is formed between the first track element and the second track element, the installation density of the track elements in the width direction of the track can be increased.

  When the first track element and the second track element are in contact with each other, or the width of the space between them is small, for example, when the second track element recording process is executed after the first track element recording process, Even if the magnetic signal to be recorded on the first track element to be recorded in the one track element recording step is recorded on a part or all of the second track element that is not the recording target, the second track is recorded in the second track element recording step. The magnetic signal of the element is rewritten with a magnetic signal to be recorded on the second track element. Similarly, when the first track element recording step is executed after the second track element recording step, the magnetic signal to be recorded on the second track element to be recorded in the second track element recording step is not the recording target. Even if recording is performed on a part or all of one track element, the magnetic signal of the first track element is rewritten to the magnetic signal to be recorded on the first track element in the first track element recording step.

  Further, in the step executed at least after the first track element recording step and the second track element recording step, the center in the width direction of the recording head is the recording target relative to the center in the width direction of the track element to be recorded. Recording target by executing offset recording to control the position in the width direction of the recording head so as to be offset in a direction away from the track element that forms a pair with the track element, and recording a magnetic signal to the track element to be recorded The magnetic signal to be recorded on the track element can be prevented from being recorded on the track element that forms a pair with the track element to be recorded, or can be suppressed to a level at which there is substantially no problem.

  Accordingly, it is possible to improve the surface recording density by increasing the installation density of the track elements in the width direction and to obtain good recording / reproducing characteristics.

  The present invention also relates to a substrate, and a recording layer formed on the substrate having a first track element and a second track element formed in a pattern corresponding to the track and arranged alternately in the width direction of the track. A pair of first track elements and a second track element disposed between two track separation elements adjacent to each other in the track width direction, and a track separation element formed along the circumferential direction of the track, One track element is disposed in contact with one track separation element of two adjacent track separation elements, the second track element is disposed in contact with the other track separation element, and a pair of first track elements is formed on the recording layer. Between the track element and the second track element, a track separation fine groove having a smaller width in the width direction of the track and a smaller dimension in the thickness direction than the track separation element extends along the circumferential direction. The magnetic recording medium of the first track element and a second track element forming the formed pair is characterized in that it is separated in the track separation fine groove is obtained by achieving the above object.

  In this magnetic recording medium, the first track element and the second track element forming a pair are separated by a track separation fine groove whose width in the track width direction is smaller than that of the track separation element. And the installation density of the track elements in the width direction can be improved as compared with the case where the second track elements are separated by the track separation elements.

  Further, the track separation fine groove has a width in the width direction of the track smaller than that of the track separation element and a dimension in the thickness direction, but an erroneous magnetic field between the paired first track element and second track element. Contributes to suppression of signal recording.

  Also, the width of the track separation fine groove is smaller than the width of the track separation element, but the dimension in the thickness direction of the track separation fine groove is smaller than the dimension in the thickness direction of the track separation element. Easy. For example, when a magnetic layer of a continuous film is etched to form a groove corresponding to a track separation element and a track separation fine groove, a groove having a remarkably small width is etched in the thickness direction more than other grooves depending on the etching conditions. This makes it possible to form a groove corresponding to the track separation element and a track separation fine groove having a smaller width in the track width direction and a smaller dimension in the thickness direction than the track separation element. .

  That is, the above-described object can be achieved by the following present invention.

(1) a substrate, a recording layer formed on the substrate having a first track element and a second track element which are formed in a pattern corresponding to a track and are arranged alternately in the width direction of the track; Including a track separation element formed along a circumferential direction of the track, and a pair of the first track element and the second track element are disposed between two track separation elements adjacent in the width direction of the track, The first track element is disposed in contact with one track separation element of the two adjacent track separation elements, and the second track element is disposed in contact with the other track separation element; A recording head for recording a magnetic signal on a magnetic recording medium, and a reproducing head for reproducing a magnetic signal recorded on the magnetic recording medium And a control device for controlling the magnetic head, wherein the control device is a first track element recording step for recording a magnetic signal on the first track element and a pair with the first track element. In the step executed at least after the second track element recording step for recording a magnetic signal on the second track element, the center in the width direction of the recording head is the width direction of the track element to be recorded. A magnetic signal to the recording target track element by controlling the position of the recording head in the width direction so as to be offset in the direction away from the other track element that forms a pair with the recording target track element. A magnetic recording / reproducing apparatus, wherein the magnetic head is controlled to perform offset recording for performing recording.

(2) In (1), the magnetic recording medium is a unit in which a plurality of pairs of the first track element and the second track element are continuously arranged in the width direction with only the track separation element interposed therebetween. One or more data areas are provided, and the control device provides magnetic signals to the plurality of first track elements and the plurality of second track elements arranged continuously in the width direction in one unit data area. The recording order of the first track element and the second track element coincides with the order in which the width direction of the unit data area, and one of the first track element and the second track element in the width direction of the unit data area. A magnetic recording / reproducing apparatus, wherein the magnetic head is controlled so that a magnetic signal is first recorded on a track element arranged at one end.

(3) In (1) or (2), the control device controls the magnetic head to perform the offset recording in both the first track element recording step and the second track element recording step. A magnetic recording / reproducing apparatus.

(4) In any one of (1) to (3), the control device records the magnetic signal recorded on the first track element in the first track element reproduction step and the second track element. In both steps of the second track element reproducing step for reproducing the magnetic signal, the center in the width direction of the reproducing head is paired with the track element to be reproduced with respect to the center in the width direction of the track element to be reproduced. The offset reproduction is performed such that the magnetic signal recorded on the reproduction target track element is reproduced by controlling the position in the width direction of the reproduction head so as to be offset in a direction away from the other track element. A magnetic recording and reproducing apparatus for controlling a magnetic head.

(5) In any one of (1) to (4), in the recording layer, the width direction of the track is greater than the track separation element between the pair of the first track element and the second track element. Track separation microgrooves having a small width and a small dimension in the thickness direction are formed along the circumferential direction, and the paired first and second track elements are separated by the track separation microgrooves. A magnetic recording / reproducing apparatus.

(6) The magnetic recording / reproducing apparatus according to (5), wherein upper surfaces of the first track element and the second track element in the recording layer are substantially flat.

(7) a substrate, a recording layer formed on the substrate having a first track element and a second track element which are formed in a pattern corresponding to a track and are alternately arranged in the width direction of the track; and Including a track separation element formed along a circumferential direction of the track, and a pair of the first track element and the second track element are disposed between two track separation elements adjacent in the width direction of the track, The first track element is disposed in contact with one track separation element of the two adjacent track separation elements, and the second track element is disposed in contact with the other track separation element. A first track element recording step for recording a magnetic signal in one track element and a magnetism in the second track element paired with the first track element In the step executed at least after the second track element recording step for recording the number of tracks, the recording target track is such that the center in the width direction of the recording head is the center in the width direction of the track element to be recorded. Performing offset recording in which the position of the recording head in the width direction is controlled so as to be offset in a direction away from the other track element that forms a pair with the element, and magnetic signals are recorded on the track element to be recorded. A method for recording on a magnetic recording medium.

(8) a recording layer formed on the substrate including a substrate and a first track element and a second track element which are formed in a pattern corresponding to the track and are alternately arranged in the width direction of the track; A track separation element formed along a circumferential direction of the track, and a pair of the first track element and the second track element between two track separation elements adjacent in the width direction of the track. The first track element is disposed in contact with one track separation element of the two adjacent track separation elements, and the second track element is disposed in contact with the other track separation element. The layer has a width in the width direction of the track smaller than the track separation element between the pair of the first track element and the second track element, In addition, a track separation fine groove having a small dimension in the thickness direction is formed along the circumferential direction, and the pair of the first track element and the second track element are separated by the track separation fine groove. A characteristic magnetic recording medium.

(9) The magnetic recording medium according to (8), wherein upper surfaces of the first track element and the second track element in the recording layer are substantially flat.

  In the present application, “a recording layer in which a pair of first track elements and second track elements are arranged between two track separation elements adjacent in the width direction of the track” means a pair of first track elements and second track elements. In addition to the recording layer in which the track element and another pair of first track elements and second track elements adjacent to the track element are completely separated by the track separation element, the pair of first elements separated by the track separation element in the data area A recording layer in which the track element and the second track element and another pair of the first track element and the second track element adjacent to the track element and the second track element are continuous in the vicinity of the boundary between the data area and the servo area. A recording layer and a track separation element in which a pair of first track elements and second track elements are continuously formed on a part of the substrate like a spiral recording layer of FIG. A pair of first track elements and second track elements and another pair of first track elements and second track elements adjacent to the pair of first track elements and second track elements formed at a position in the middle of the layer thickness direction are provided at the bottom of the track separation element. It is used in the meaning including a continuous recording layer.

  In this application, “width of the track separation element” and “width of the track separation fine groove” are used to mean the width at the level of the upper surface of the recording layer.

  In the present application, the “upper surface of the recording layer” is used to mean the surface of the recording layer on the side opposite to the substrate and facing the magnetic head.

  Further, in this application, “the dimension in the thickness direction of the track separation element” and “the dimension in the thickness direction of the track separation fine groove” are used to mean the dimension in the thickness direction from the level of the upper surface of the recording layer. And

  Further, in this application, the term “magnetic recording medium” is not limited to a hard disk, a floppy (registered trademark) disk, a magnetic tape, or the like that uses only magnetism for recording and reading information, and is an MO (Magneto) that uses both magnetism and light. Optical) and other magneto-optical recording media, heat-assisted recording media using both magnetism and heat, and microwave-assisted recording media using both magnetism and microwaves.

  According to the present invention, a magnetic recording / reproducing apparatus having a fine recording element and a magnetic recording medium having a high recording density and a good recording / reproducing characteristic, a magnetic recording medium used for the same, and a recording method therefor are realized. it can.

1 is a block diagram schematically showing the configuration of the main part of a magnetic recording / reproducing apparatus according to a first embodiment of the invention. The top view which shows typically the structure of the magnetic recording medium of the magnetic recording / reproducing apparatus FIG. 2 is a plan view including a graph showing an enlarged view of part III. Sectional view parallel to radial direction and thickness direction showing track element of magnetic recording medium and surrounding structure A plan view schematically showing a unit data area and a space area of the magnetic recording medium The top view which shows the measuring method of the magnetic write width of the recording head of the magnetic recording / reproducing apparatus Graph showing the relationship between the position in the width direction of the recording portion of the read head and the output of the read signal in the measurement of the magnetic write width Plan view showing a method for measuring the magnetic read width of the read head of the magnetic recording / reproducing apparatus A graph showing the relationship between the position of the reproducing head in the width direction of the micro track and the output of the reproducing signal in the measurement of the magnetic read width The flowchart which shows the outline | summary of the recording method of the magnetic signal in the said 1st Embodiment. The top view which shows typically the 1st track element recording process in the recording method The top view which shows typically the 2nd track element recording process in the recording method The flowchart which shows the outline | summary of the reproducing method of the magnetic signal in the said 1st Embodiment The top view which shows typically the 1st track element reproduction | regeneration process in the reproduction | regeneration method The top view which shows typically the 2nd track element reproduction | regeneration process in the reproduction | regeneration method A flowchart showing an outline of an example of a method for manufacturing the magnetic recording medium Sectional drawing parallel to radial direction and thickness direction schematically showing structure of starting body of workpiece in same manufacturing process Sectional drawing parallel to the radial direction and the thickness direction schematically showing the shape of the workpiece on which the resin layer of the concavo-convex pattern is formed Sectional drawing parallel to radial direction and thickness direction schematically showing the shape of the workpiece on which track elements are formed The top view which shows typically the 1st track element recording process of the magnetic recording / reproducing apparatus which concerns on 2nd Embodiment of this invention. The top view which shows typically the 2nd track element recording process in the said 2nd Embodiment The top view which shows typically the 1st track element recording process in 3rd Embodiment of this invention. The top view which shows typically the structure of the magnetic recording medium of the magnetic recording / reproducing apparatus concerning 4th Embodiment of this invention

  Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the magnetic recording / reproducing apparatus 10 according to the first embodiment of the present invention includes a magnetic recording medium 12, a magnetic head 14, and a control device 16 for controlling the magnetic head 14 and the like. I have.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the magnetic recording medium 12 is divided into a plurality of servo areas SA set radially at appropriate intervals in the circumferential direction, and a data area DA set between these servo areas. As shown in FIG. 3, a servo signal having a predetermined servo pattern is recorded and used in the servo area SA. The servo signal pattern is composed of, for example, a preamble pattern, a servo address mark pattern, an address pattern, a burst pattern, etc. according to the function.

  The magnetic recording medium 12 is a perpendicular recording type, and as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the magnetic recording medium 12 is formed in a pattern corresponding to the track and alternately in the track width direction Dw (the radial direction of the magnetic recording medium 12). The recording layer 20 including the first track element 26 </ b> A and the second track element 26 </ b> B arranged side by side and formed on the substrate 18, and the track separation element 22, and two adjacent to each other in the track width direction Dw A pair of first track elements 26 </ b> A and second track elements 26 </ b> B are disposed between the track separation elements 22. The first track element 26 </ b> A is disposed in contact with one track separation element 22 of two adjacent track separation elements 22, and the second track element 26 </ b> B is disposed in contact with the other track separation element 22.

  The recording layer 20 has a smaller width in the track width direction Dw and a smaller dimension in the thickness direction than the track separation element 22 between the paired first track element 26A and second track element 26B. The track separation fine grooves 24 are formed along the circumferential direction Dc of the track, and the paired first track elements 26A and second track elements 26B are separated by the track separation fine grooves 24. The track separation fine groove 24 is filled with a filling element 24A.

  In the magnetic recording medium 12, as shown in FIG. 5, a plurality of pairs of first track elements 26A and second track elements 26B are continuously arranged in the width direction Dw with only the track separation element 22 interposed therebetween. A plurality of unit data areas UDA are provided. A space area SPA is provided between the unit data area UDA and another adjacent unit data area UDA. The space area SPA is arranged in the width direction via the space area SPA when magnetic signal recording is performed on the first track element 26A or the second track element 26B arranged at the radial end in the unit data area UDA. It plays a role of preventing magnetic signals from being recorded on the first track element 26A and / or the second track element 26B in another unit data area UDA adjacent to Dw. Accordingly, the width of the space area SPA in the track width direction Dw is larger than the width of the track separation element 22 in the track width direction Dw.

The substrate 18 has a substantially disk shape having a center hole. As a material of the substrate 18, glass, Al, Al ₂ O ₃ or the like can be used.

The recording layer 20 has a thickness of 5 to 30 nm. The material of the recording layer 20 (the material of the first track element 26A and the second track element 26B) is, for example, a CoPt alloy such as a CoCrPt alloy, an FePt alloy, a laminate thereof, or a ferromagnetic particle such as CoCrPt. ₂ and a material in which an oxide-based material such as TiO ₂ is present.

The width of the track separation element 22 is, for example, 20 to 50 nm. The track separation element 22 is formed up to the lower surface of the recording layer 20 (surface on the substrate 18 side). The material of the track separation element 22 is, for example, SiO ₂ , Al ₂ O ₃ , TiO ₂ , MgO, ZrO ₂ , oxides such as ferrite, nitrides such as AlN, carbides such as SiC, Si, C (carbon), Non-magnetic metals such as DLC (diamond-like carbon), Cu, Cr, and Ti, resin materials, and the like. In addition, the material of the track separation element 22 is a material whose magnetic characteristics have been changed by subjecting the material of the recording layer 20 to an ion implantation process or a reaction gas process (for example, the saturation magnetization amount is changed to the first track element 26A and the second track element). It may be a material made smaller than the material of the element 26B or a material in which the saturation magnetization is substantially lost.

  The track separation fine grooves 24 are formed up to a position in the middle of the recording layer 20 in the thickness direction. The width of the track separation fine groove 24 is, for example, 3 to 20 nm. The width of the track separation fine groove 24 is preferably less than or equal to half the width of the first track element 26A or the second track element 26B. The width of the track separation element 22, the width of the track separation fine groove 24, the width of the first track element 26A, and the width of the second track element 26B are all the widths on the upper surface of the recording layer 20. The dimension in the thickness direction of the track separation fine groove 24 is, for example, 3 to 10 nm. The dimension in the thickness direction of the track separation fine groove 24 is preferably not more than half of the dimension in the thickness direction of the first track element 26A or the second track element 26B. The material of the filling element 24A filling the track separation fine groove 24 is the same as the material of the track separation element 22. Further, the material of the portion under the track separation fine groove 24 in the recording layer 20 is the same as the material of the first track element 26A and the second track element 26B.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the first track element 26A and the second track element 26B are formed in the data area DA. The first track element 26A and the second track element 26B are actually arc shapes corresponding to the shape of the track, and a large number of the first track elements 26A and the second track elements 26B are arranged concentrically in the width direction Dw. It is formed in a shape. The radial width Tw of the upper surfaces of the first track element 26A and the second track element 26B is 10 to 100 nm. The top surfaces of the first track element 26A and the second track element 26B in the recording layer 20 are preferably substantially flat.

  The space area SPA may have a structure in which the first track element 26A, the second track element 26B, the track separation fine groove 24, and the track separation element 22 are formed as in the unit data area UDA. The space area SPA may be formed of only the same material as the track separation element 22 and the filling element 24A. Further, the space area SPA may be formed of only the same material as the recording layer 20.

  The recording layer 20 includes servo elements corresponding to the servo patterns in the servo area SA. The servo element is made of the same ferromagnetic material as the first track element 26A and the second track element 26B. Note that a separation element made of the same material as that of the track separation element 22 and the filling element 24A is provided around the servo element. FIG. 3 schematically shows a burst pattern used for positioning the magnetic head in the servo pattern, and each burst signal element 28A, 28B, 28C, 28D is a part of the servo element. Preferably, a plurality of burst signal elements 28A, 28B, 28C, 28D are arranged side by side in the circumferential direction Dc. The graph in FIG. 3 schematically shows the relationship between the position of the magnetic head 14 in the width direction Dw of the magnetic recording medium 12 and the output voltage of the burst signal element. Va, Vb, Vc, and Vd correspond to output voltages obtained from the burst signal elements 28A, 28B, 28C, and 28D, respectively.

  Note that a protective layer and a lubricating layer are actually formed in this order on the first track element 26A, the second track element 26B, the track separation element 22, and the filling element 24A. Since it is not considered necessary for understanding one embodiment, illustration and description are omitted here.

  In addition, a soft magnetic layer 32 and an orientation layer 34 are formed between the substrate 18 and the recording layer 20. However, these layers are not considered necessary for understanding the first embodiment. The description is omitted here.

The magnetic head 14 includes a recording head 14A for recording a magnetic signal on the magnetic recording medium 12, and a reproducing head 14B (see FIG. 14) for reproducing the magnetic signal recorded on the magnetic recording medium 12. Yes. As shown in FIG. 3, in the first embodiment, the magnetic write width MWw of the recording head 14A is in the following range.
2 * Tw + Sw ≦ MWw <2 * Tw + Sw + 2 * Lw
Here, Lw is the width of the track separation element 22, and Sw is the width of the track separation fine groove 24.

  The recording head 14A is configured to apply a recording magnetic field in a direction perpendicular to the surface of the magnetic recording medium 12 to the first track element 26A and the second track element 26B. The recording head 14A is actually composed of a main magnetic pole, a return magnetic pole, an electromagnetic coil, and the like, but only the main magnetic pole is schematically shown for convenience in the present application.

  In the present application, the “magnetic write width MWw of the recording head” is used in the meaning of a value measured by the following method. First, as shown in FIG. 6, a recording magnetic field is applied to the portion where the recording layer 20 in the servo area of the magnetic recording medium 12 is continuously formed in the radial direction by the recording head 14A, and the circumferential direction of the magnetic recording medium A track-shaped recording portion 104 is magnetically formed along the line. Further, the recording layer 20 is composed of the same material as the recording layer 20 of the magnetic recording medium 12 and has a continuous film recording layer whose thickness is equal to the recording layer 20 and has the same configuration as the magnetic recording medium 12 except for the recording layer. A magnetic recording medium for measurement may be prepared, and similarly, a recording magnetic field may be applied by the recording head 14A to magnetically form the track-shaped recording portion 104. In either case, the area around the recording site 104 is in an AC erasure state. Next, the reproducing head 106 is made to approach the recording site 104 along the width direction of the recording site 104 from a position sufficiently away from the recording site 104, and further passed over the recording site 104 to be recorded. The reproducing head 106 is moved to a position on the opposite side sufficiently away from the recording site 104. At this time, the relationship between the position in the width direction of the reproducing head 106 relative to the recording portion 104 and the reproduction output of the reproducing head 106 is symmetrical with respect to the center position in the width direction of the recording portion 104 as shown in FIG. Shape. In FIG. 7, the interval (half-value width) between two positions in the width direction of the reproducing head 106 on both sides of the recording portion 104 where the reproduction output value is half of the maximum value of the reproduction output is expressed as “magnetic of recording head 14A”. Is defined as “a typical write width MWw”. Note that the reproducing head 106 used in the measurement of the magnetic write width MWw uses a magnetic read width MRw smaller than the magnetic write width MWw to be measured. If this condition is satisfied, the reproducing head 106 may be the reproducing head 14B provided in the magnetic head 14 together with the recording head 14A or another reproducing head for measurement.

The reproducing head 14B includes MR elements such as GMR elements and TMR elements. As shown in FIG. 14, in the first embodiment, the magnetic read width MRw of the reproducing head 14B is in the following range.
Tw ≦ MRw <Tw + Sw + Lw

The magnetic read width MRw of the reproducing head 14B is preferably in the following range.
MRw <Tw + Lw

  In the present application, the “magnetic read width MRw of the reproducing head” is used in the meaning of a value measured by the following method. First, similarly to the measurement of the magnetic write width MWw described above, the recording head 14A is formed on a portion where the recording layer 20 in the servo area of the magnetic recording medium 12 is continuously formed in the radial direction, or on the magnetic recording medium for measurement. By applying a magnetic field to magnetically form a track having a width W along the circumferential direction, and further erasing the both ends of the track in the width direction, the magnetic read width MRw to be measured is larger than that to be measured. A microtrack 108 having a small width as shown in FIG. 8 is formed (magnetically). For example, about W / 3 portions at both ends in the width direction of the track formed by the recording head 14A are AC-erased to form (magnetically) microtracks 108 having a width of W / 3. In this way, the microtrack 108 having a sufficiently smaller width than the magnetic read width MRw to be measured is formed (magnetically). Next, the reproducing head 14B is brought close to the microtrack 108 along the width direction of the microtrack 108 from a position sufficiently away from the microtrack 108, and further passed over the microtrack 108 to be sufficiently separated from the microtrack 108. The reproducing head 14B is moved to a position on the opposite side. At this time, the relationship between the position in the width direction of the reproducing head 106 with respect to the microtrack 108 and the reproduction output of the reproducing head 14B is as shown in FIG. The interval between the two positions in the width direction of the reproducing head 14B (half-value width) on both sides of the microtrack 108 where the value of the reproducing output is half the maximum value of the reproducing output is expressed as “magnetic reading of the reproducing head 14B. It is defined as “width MRw”.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the magnetic head 14 includes a swing arm 36 and a slider 38 attached near the tip of the swing arm 36. The swing arm 36 is pivotally supported at the base end so as to be rotatable within a certain range. The slider 38 is biased toward the surface of the magnetic recording medium 12 by the swing arm 36. On the other hand, when the magnetic recording medium 12 rotates, an air flow is generated between the surface of the magnetic recording medium 12 and the air bearing surface of the slider 38 facing the surface of the magnetic recording medium 12. The slider 38 is configured to float with respect to the surface of the magnetic recording medium 12 with a gap between itself and the surface of the magnetic recording medium 12 against the urging force of the swing arm 36 by the pressure of the air. Has been. The recording head 14A and the reproducing head 14B are installed on the slider 38 side by side in the longitudinal direction of the swing arm 36 (the circumferential direction Dc of the magnetic recording medium 12). The recording head 14A and the reproducing head 14B are installed on the slider 38 so that the center in the width direction Dw of the recording head 14A and the center in the width direction Dw of the reproducing head 14B substantially coincide.

  The control device 16 is an IC chip or the like. The program of the control device 16 is firmware, for example, and is stored in a ROM or flash memory.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the magnetic recording / reproducing apparatus 10 includes a voice coil motor 40 for driving the swing arm 36 of the magnetic head 14. The slider 38 of the magnetic head 14 can be positioned by the voice coil motor 40 at any point on the circular arc track along the radial direction of the magnetic recording medium 12. The magnetic recording / reproducing apparatus 10 further includes a spindle motor 42 for rotating the magnetic recording medium 12, a motor driver 44, a preamplifier 46, and a read / write channel 48.

  Next, control of the magnetic recording / reproducing apparatus 10 by the control device 16 will be described.

  First, control during recording of magnetic signals will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  First, as shown in FIG. 11, a magnetic signal is recorded on the first track element 26A (S102: first track element recording step). In this step, the position of the magnetic head 14 is set so that the first track element 26A to be recorded is surely present between both ends in the width direction Dw of the portion corresponding to the magnetic writing width MWw of the recording head 14A in plan view. Control. The other first track element 26A and the second track element 26B arranged adjacent to each other via the track separation element 22 and the first track element 26A to be recorded include the first track element 26A to be recorded. The position of the magnetic head 14 is controlled so that a magnetic signal to be recorded is not recorded. For example, based on the output signals of the burst signal elements 28A and 28B, the position of the magnetic head 14 is controlled so that the center in the width direction Dw of the recording head 14A coincides with the center in the width direction Dw of the track separation fine groove 24. . In this case, the center Chw in the width direction Dw of the recording head 14A is offset in the direction of the second track element 26B paired with the first track element 26A with respect to the center Ct1 in the width direction Dw of the first track element 26A. To do. As a result, a desired magnetic signal is recorded on the first track element 26A. Further, the same magnetic signal as that of the first track element 26A is recorded also on the second track element 26B paired with the first track element to be recorded. In practice, the magnetic signal is formed on the rear side of the recording head 14A (in the traveling direction relative to the magnetic recording medium 10), and the recording head 14A is located on the front side of the recorded magnetic signal. For convenience, the recording head 14A is shown immediately above the magnetic signal pattern. The same applies to FIG. 12 and FIGS.

  Next, the control device 16 determines whether or not further magnetic signal recording is necessary (S104: recording continuation / end determination step). If it is determined that further magnetic signal recording is not necessary, the magnetic signal recording is terminated.

  On the other hand, if it is determined that further magnetic signal recording is necessary, the magnetic signal is recorded on the second track element 26B as shown in FIGS. 12 and 4 (S106: second track element recording step). In this step, the first track element 26A in which the center Chw in the width direction Dw of the recording head 14A is paired with the second track element 26B to be recorded with respect to the center Cht2 in the width direction Dw of the second track element 26B to be recorded. The magnetic head 14 is controlled to execute offset recording in which the position of the recording head 14A in the width direction Dw is controlled so as to be offset in the direction away from the recording head and the magnetic signal is recorded on the second track element 26B. The offset amount is set to a value such that the magnetic signal to be recorded on the second track element 26B is not recorded on the first track element 26A (which is paired with the second track element 26B to be recorded). For example, based on the output signals of the burst signal elements 28C and 28D, the position of the magnetic head 14 is set so that the center Chw of the recording head 14A in the width direction Dw and the center of the track separation element 22 in the width direction Dw are offset by a predetermined amount. Control. Depending on the magnetic write width MWw of the recording head 14A, the position of the magnetic head 14 may be controlled so that the center Chw in the width direction Dw of the recording head 14A and the center in the width direction Dw of the track separation element 22 coincide. Good.

  In the present application, “the magnetic signal to be recorded on the second track element is not recorded on the first track element” means that the first track element is not at all due to the recording magnetic field of the magnetic signal to be recorded on the second track element. It is used in the meaning including the case where it is not magnetized and the case where a part of the first track element is magnetized by the recording magnetic field of the magnetic signal to be recorded on the second track element is not recognized as a meaningful signal at the time of reproduction. I will do it. The same applies to “the magnetic signal to be recorded on the first track element is not recorded on the second track element”.

  Thereby, the magnetic signal of the second track element 26B should be recorded on the second track element 26B from the magnetic signal recorded in the first track element recording step (S102) (the same magnetic signal as the first track element 26A). It is rewritten as a magnetic signal. In this step, as shown in FIG. 12, the end in the width direction Dw of the portion corresponding to the magnetic write width MWw of the recording head 14A in plan view is the width direction Dw of the second track element 26B to be recorded. It is preferable that it is coincident with or located in the vicinity of the end on the track separation fine groove 24 side. As a result, the magnetic signal to be recorded on the second track element 26B is recorded in the entire width direction of the second track element 26B, and the magnetic signal to be recorded on the second track element 26B is (the second track to be recorded). Recording to the first track element 26A (which is paired with the element 26B) can be reliably prevented.

  Next, the control device 16 determines whether or not further magnetic signal recording is necessary (S108: recording continuation / end determination step). If it is determined that further magnetic signal recording is not necessary, the magnetic signal recording is terminated.

  On the other hand, if it is determined that further recording of the magnetic signal is necessary, the other pair of the first track element 26A and the second track element 26B adjacent to the pair of the first track element 26A and the second track element 26B that have been recorded. The first track element recording step (S102) and the second track element recording step (S106) are executed.

  In the second track element recording step (S106), the pair of first track elements 26A including the second track element 26B to be recorded and the other pair of first track elements 26A and second tracks adjacent to the second track element 26B. A magnetic signal to be recorded on the second track element 26B to be recorded is recorded on both of the elements 26B or at least a part of the first track element 26A (only the first track element 26A in the first embodiment). However, by performing the first track element recording step (S102) and the second track element recording step (S106) on the other pair of the first track element 26A and the second track element 26B, Desired magnetic signals are sequentially recorded on the other pair of first track element 26A and second track element 26B.

  The control device 16 determines the recording order of the magnetic signals on the plurality of first track elements 26A and the plurality of second track elements 26B arranged continuously in one unit data area UDA in the width direction Dw. The track element 26A and the second track element 26B coincide with the order in which the track element 26A is arranged in the width direction Dw, and the track element (the first track element 26A or the second track) arranged at one end of the unit data area UDA in the width direction Dw. The magnetic head 14 is controlled so that the magnetic signal is first recorded in the element 26B). Thereby, a desired magnetic signal can be recorded on each first track element 26A and each second track element 26B.

  When recording a magnetic signal in two or more unit data areas UDA, for example, a magnetic signal is applied to a part of the first track element 26A and / or the second track element 26B in the first unit data area UDA. Is recorded on the first track element 26A and / or the second track element 26B of the second unit data area UDA, and then the rest of the first unit data area UDA is recorded. Magnetic signals may be recorded on the first track element 26A and / or the second track element 26B. Also in such a case, the recording order of the magnetic signals to the plurality of first track elements 26A and second track elements 26B continuously arranged in the width direction Dw in each unit data area UDA is determined by the first track elements. 26A and the second track element 26B coincide with the order in which the second track element 26B is arranged in the width direction Dw, and the first track element 26A or the second track element 26B disposed at either end of the unit data area UDA in the width direction Dw By controlling the magnetic head 14 so that a magnetic signal is recorded, a desired magnetic signal can be recorded on each first track element 26A and each second track element 26B.

  In the above example, the magnetic recording medium 12 includes a plurality of unit data areas UDA, but the magnetic recording medium 12 may include only one unit data area UDA. In this case, a magnetic signal is applied to a part or all of the first track element 26A and the second track element 26B of one unit data area UDA in the order in which the first track element 26A and the second track element 26B are arranged in the width direction. What is necessary is just to record continuously.

  Further, it is not always necessary to record the magnetic signals on all the first track elements 26A and the second track elements 26B in each unit data area UDA, and if it is determined that the recording of the necessary magnetic signals has been completed (S104, S108). ) Recording of the magnetic signal to the unit data area UDA may be terminated. In this case, the first track element in which the magnetic signal is recorded last also in the second track element 26B or the first track element 26A adjacent to the first track element 26A or the second track element 26B in which the magnetic signal is recorded last. Although a magnetic signal to be recorded is recorded on 26A or the second track element 26B, this magnetic signal may be treated as a meaningless magnetic signal.

  Next, control during reproduction of the magnetic signal will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  First, the first track element 26A or the second track element 26B in which the magnetic signal to be reproduced is recorded is selected (S202: reproduction target track element selection step).

  Next, the magnetic signal recorded on the selected first track element 26A or second track element 26B is reproduced (S204: track element reproduction step).

  When reproducing the magnetic signal recorded on the first track element 26A, as shown in FIG. 14, the center Chr in the width direction Dw of the reproducing head 14B is the center Ct1 in the width direction Dw of the first track element 26A to be reproduced. The position of the reproducing head 14B is controlled so as to be offset in the direction away from the second track element 26B paired with the first track element 26A to be reproduced, and the magnetic recorded on the first track element 26A to be reproduced Performs offset playback for signal playback.

  At this time, the magnetic signal recorded on the second track element 26B paired with the first track element 26A to be reproduced, or the second track element adjacent to the first track element 26A to be reproduced via the track separation element 22 The offset amount is set so that the magnetic signal recorded on 26B is not reproduced by the reproducing head 14B. In the present application, “the magnetic signal recorded on the second track element 26B is not reproduced by the reproducing head 14B” means that the magnetic field generated by the magnetic signal recorded on the second track element is not detected at all by the reproducing head 14B. In addition, even if a magnetic field generated by a magnetic signal recorded on the second track element is detected by the reproducing head 14B, it is used in a meaning including a case where it is not recognized as a meaningful signal.

  In this case, in a plan view, the portion corresponding to the magnetic read width MRw of the reproducing head 14B is magnetic so that it exists at least on the end on the track separating element 22 side in the width direction Dw of the first track element 26A to be reproduced. It is preferable to control the position of the head 14. Further, in plan view, the portion corresponding to the magnetic read width MRw of the reproducing head 14B is the first track element to be reproduced from the end on the track separation fine groove 24 side in the width direction Dw of the first track element 26A to be reproduced. As shown in FIG. 14, the end in the width direction Dw of the portion corresponding to the magnetic read width MRw of the reproducing head 14B is positioned on the side away from the second track element 26B paired with 26A. It is preferable to coincide with the end portion on the track separation fine groove 24 side in the width direction Dw in one track element 26A. Further, in a plan view, the portion corresponding to the magnetic read width MRw of the reproducing head 14B is magnetic so that it does not exist on the second track element 26B adjacent to the first track element 26A to be reproduced via the track separation element 22. It is preferable to control the position of the head 14. Thereby, the influence of the magnetic signal recorded on the second track element 26B on both sides of the first track element 26A to be reproduced is suppressed, and the magnetic signal recorded on the first track element 26A is reproduced with high quality.

  On the other hand, when reproducing a magnetic signal recorded on the second track element 26B, as shown in FIG. 15, the center Chr in the width direction Dw of the reproduction head 14B is in the width direction Dw of the second track element 26B to be reproduced. The position of the reproducing head 14B is controlled so as to be offset in the direction away from the first track element 26A paired with the second track element 26B to be reproduced with respect to the center Ct2, and recorded on the second track element 26B to be reproduced. The offset reproduction is performed to reproduce the magnetic signal.

  At this time, the magnetic signal recorded on the first track element 26A paired with the second track element 26B to be reproduced, or the first track element adjacent to the second track element 26B to be reproduced via the track separation element 22 The offset amount of the magnetic head 14 is set so that the magnetic signal recorded on 26A is not reproduced by the reproducing head 14B. The meaning of “the magnetic signal recorded on the first track element 26A is not reproduced by the reproducing head 14B” is the same as the above “the magnetic signal recorded on the second track element 26B is not reproduced by the reproducing head 14B”. is there.

  In this case, in the plan view, the portion of the magnetic head 14 corresponding to the magnetic read width MRw of the reproducing head 14B exists at least on the end of the second track element 26B on the track separation element 22 side in the width direction Dw. It is preferable to control the position. Further, in plan view, the portion corresponding to the magnetic read width MRw of the reproducing head 14B is the second track element to be reproduced from the end on the track separation fine groove 24 side in the width direction Dw of the second track element 26B to be reproduced. As shown in FIG. 15, the end in the width direction Dw of the portion corresponding to the magnetic read width MRw of the reproducing head 14B is positioned on the side away from the first track element 26A paired with 26B. The two track elements 26B preferably coincide with the end portion on the track separation fine groove 24 side in the width direction Dw. Further, the reproduction is performed so that the portion corresponding to the magnetic read width MRw of the reproduction head 14B does not exist on the first track element 26A adjacent to the reproduction-target second track element 26B via the track separation element 22 in plan view. It is preferable to control the position of the head 14B. Thereby, the influence of the magnetic signal recorded on the first track element 26A on both sides of the second track element 26B to be reproduced is suppressed, and the magnetic signal recorded on the second track element 26B is reproduced with high quality.

  Next, the control device 16 determines whether or not further magnetic signal reproduction is necessary (S206: reproduction continuation / end determination step). When it is determined that further magnetic signal reproduction is necessary, the selection of the first track element 26A or the second track element 26B to be reproduced (S202) and the selected first track element 26A or second track element 26B are performed. The reproduction of the magnetic signal recorded in (4) is repeated. On the other hand, when it is determined that no further reproduction of the magnetic signal is necessary, the recording of the magnetic signal is terminated.

  In the recording layer 20 of the magnetic recording medium 12, the first track element 26 </ b> A and the second track element 26 </ b> B that form a pair are separated by a track separation fine groove 24 having a smaller width in the track width direction Dw than the track separation element 22. Therefore, the installation density of the tracks in the width direction is higher than that in the case where the paired first track element 26A and second track element 26B are separated by the track separation element 22.

  Further, even if the magnetic signal to be recorded on the first track element 26A in the first track element recording step (S102) is recorded on the second track element 26B, the second track element recording step (S106) is performed. The magnetic signal of the second track element 26B is rewritten with a magnetic signal to be recorded on the second track element 26B.

  Further, in the second track element recording step (S106), the center Chw in the width direction Dw of the recording head 14A is the same as the second track element 26B to be recorded with respect to the center Ct2 in the width direction Dw of the second track element 26B to be recorded. Offset recording is performed in which the position of the recording head 14A in the width direction Dw is controlled so as to be offset in a direction away from the paired first track elements 26A, and magnetic signals are recorded on the second track elements 26B to be recorded. Thus, the magnetic signal to be recorded on the second track element 26B can be prevented from being recorded on the first track element 26A, or can be suppressed to a level where there is no substantial problem.

  Therefore, the recording density in the width direction of the track can be increased to improve the surface recording density, and good recording / reproducing characteristics can be obtained.

  Further, even if the same magnetic signal as the first track element 26A is recorded on the second track element 26B in the first track element recording step (S102), the second track element 26B in the second track element recording step (S106). Since the magnetic signal can be rewritten to a magnetic signal to be recorded on the second track element 26B, the magnetic write width MWw is equal to the width Tw of the first track element 26A and the width Lw of the track separation element 22 on one side thereof. A recording head 14 </ b> A that is larger than the total value with the width Sw of the other track separation fine groove 24 can be used. Manufacturing a recording head having a small width is more difficult than manufacturing a reproducing head having a small width. However, since the recording head 14A having a large magnetic writing width MWw can be used, the manufacturing of the magnetic head 14 is easy. It is.

  Further, the track separation fine groove 24 has a width in the track width direction Dw smaller than that of the track separation element 22 and a dimension in the thickness direction, but the first track element 26A and the second track element 26B which make a pair are separated. This contributes to suppression of erroneous magnetic signal recording.

  Further, since the track separation element 22 on one side in the width direction Dw of the first track element 26A and the second track element 26B has a sufficient width and thickness dimension, the track separation fine groove 24 on the other side. However, even if the width in the track width direction Dw is smaller than the track separation element 22 and the dimension in the thickness direction is smaller, the magnetic signal can be reliably recorded on the first track element 26A and the second track element 26B. Reliable reproduction of the magnetic signals recorded on the one track element 26A and the second track element 26B is possible.

  That is, the magnetic recording / reproducing apparatus 10 reliably records a magnetic signal to be recorded on each of the first track element 26A or the second track element 26B to be recorded, and also reproduces the first track element 26A or The magnetic signal recorded on the second track element 26B can be reliably reproduced, and good recording / reproducing characteristics can be obtained.

  In the above example, the first track element recording step (S102) is executed first, and the offset recording is executed in the second track element recording step (S106) executed later. The element recording process may be executed, and offset recording may be executed in the first track element recording process to be executed later.

  Next, an example of a method for manufacturing the magnetic recording medium 12 will be described along the flowchart shown in FIG.

  First, a starting body of the workpiece 50 as shown in FIG. 17 is prepared (S302). The starting body of the workpiece 50 is a soft magnetic layer 32, an orientation layer 34, a recording layer 20 (a continuous film before the first track element 26A, the second track element 26B, etc.) are formed on the substrate 18. It can be obtained by forming the first mask layer 52 and the second mask layer 54 in this order by sputtering or the like.

  The first mask layer 52 has a thickness of 2 to 50 nm. As a material of the first mask layer 52, a material mainly composed of C (carbon) such as DLC can be used. The second mask layer 54 has a thickness of 2 to 30 nm. As a material of the second mask layer 54, Ni, Ta, or the like can be used.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 18, a resin material is applied onto the second mask layer 54 of the workpiece 50 by a spin coat method or the like, and further, a resin material is applied to the resin material by an imprint method using a stamper (not shown). The uneven pattern corresponding to the pattern of the first track element 26A and the second track element 26B is transferred to form the resin layer 56 of the uneven pattern (S304). As the imprinting method, optical imprinting using ultraviolet rays, thermal imprinting, or the like can be used. In the case of optical imprint, an ultraviolet curable resin or the like can be used as the material of the resin layer 56. In the case of thermal imprinting, a thermoplastic resin or the like can be used as the material of the resin layer 56. The thickness of the resin layer 56 (thickness of the convex portion) is, for example, 10 to 300 nm. The resin layer 56 at the bottom of the recess is removed by ashing or the like. Also, a photosensitive resist or electron beam resist is used as the resin material, and a resin layer 56 having a concavo-convex pattern corresponding to the pattern of the first track element 26A and the second track element 26B is formed by photolithography or electron beam lithography. Also good.

Next, the second mask layer 54 at the bottom of the recess is removed by IBE (Ion Beam Etching) or RIE (Reactive Ion Etching) using a rare gas such as Ar gas, and then IBE or RIE using O ₂ gas. Thus, the first mask layer 52 at the bottom of the recess is removed, and the recording layer 20 at the bottom of the recess is removed by IBE or RIE using a rare gas such as Ar gas (S306). As a result, as shown in FIG. 19, grooves corresponding to the first track element 26A, the second track element 26B, and the track separation element 22 and the track separation fine groove 24 are formed in the data area DA. Even if the width of the track separation fine groove 24 is smaller and finer than the width of the groove corresponding to the track separation element 22, the depth of the track separation fine groove 24 is shallower than the depth of the groove corresponding to the track separation element 22. The formation of the track separation fine grooves 24 is easy. Specifically, in the step of etching the recording layer 20, the groove having a remarkably small width is less likely to be etched in the thickness direction than the other grooves, and therefore corresponds to the groove corresponding to the track separation element 22 and the track separation element 22. The track separation fine groove 24 having a smaller width in the track width direction Dw and a smaller dimension in the thickness direction than the groove can be easily formed by etching. In particular, this tendency can be enhanced by irradiating the workpiece 50 with ions from an oblique direction, and the depth of the track separation fine groove 24 can be controlled by adjusting the irradiation angle. The first mask layer 52 remaining on the upper surface of the recording layer 20 is removed by IBE or RIE using a gas containing nitrogen or hydrogen, such as O ₂ gas, N ₂ gas, NH ₃ gas, or H ₂ gas. In the present application, the term “IBE” is used as a general term for a processing method such as ion milling that removes an object to be processed by irradiating an object with an ionized gas. In the present application, even when a gas that does not chemically react with the object to be processed such as a rare gas is used, the term “RIE” is used when etching is performed using an RIE apparatus.

  Next, the material of the track separation element 22 and the filling element 24A is formed on the workpiece 50 having the recording layer 20 with the concavo-convex pattern by sputtering or bias sputtering, and the track separation element is formed in the groove of the recording layer 20. 22. A filling element 24A is formed (S308).

  Next, excess portions of the material of the track separation element 22 and the filling element 24A are removed by IBE or RIE using a rare gas such as Ar gas, and the surface of the workpiece 50 is flattened (S310). The surplus portion is used in the meaning of a portion existing above the level of the upper surface of the recording layer 20 (on the side opposite to the substrate 18) in the material of the track separation element 22 and the filling element 24A.

  Next, a protective layer is formed on the first track element 26A, the second track element 26B, the track separation element 22 and the filling element 24A by CVD (S312). Further, a lubricating layer is applied on the protective layer by dipping (S314). Thereby, the magnetic recording medium 12 shown in FIGS. 2 to 4 is completed.

Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. Unlike the first embodiment, the second embodiment has a magnetic write width MWw of the recording head 14A in the following range.
Tw ≦ MWw <Tw + Sw + Lw

  The second embodiment is different in the magnetic signal recording method by the control device 16. Since other configurations are the same as those in the first embodiment, the same configurations as those in FIGS.

  A magnetic signal recording method by the control device 16 according to the second embodiment will be described. First, as shown in FIG. 20, similarly to the first embodiment, the magnetic head 14 applies a recording magnetic field to the first track element 26A to record a magnetic signal on the first track element 26A (S102). . In this step, for example, the position of the magnetic head 14 is controlled so that the center in the width direction Dw of the recording head 14A coincides with the center in the width direction Dw of the first track element 26A to be recorded. As a result, a desired magnetic signal is recorded on the first track element 26A. Further, the same magnetic signal as that of the first track element 26A is recorded on at least a part of the second track element 26B paired with the first track element 26A to be recorded. Note that the center of the recording head 14A in the width direction Dw and the center of the recording target first track element 26A in the width direction Dw do not have to coincide with each other as long as the magnetic signal can be reliably recorded on the first track element 26A.

  Next, the control device 16 determines whether or not further magnetic signal recording is required (S104). If it is determined that further magnetic signal recording is not necessary, the magnetic signal recording is terminated.

  On the other hand, if it is determined that further magnetic signal recording is necessary, as shown in FIG. 21, the magnetic signal is recorded on the second track element 26B (S106). In this step, the first track element 26A in which the center Chw in the width direction Dw of the recording head 14A is paired with the second track element 26B to be recorded with respect to the center Cht2 in the width direction Dw of the second track element 26B to be recorded. The magnetic head 14 is controlled to execute offset recording in which the position of the recording head 14A in the width direction Dw is controlled so as to be offset in the direction away from the recording head and the magnetic signal is recorded on the second track element 26B. The offset amount is set to a value such that the magnetic signal to be recorded on the second track element 26B is not recorded on the first track element 26A (which is paired with the second track element 26B to be recorded). Further, the offset amount is determined not only by the first track element 26A in which the magnetic signal to be recorded on the second track element 26B is paired with the second track element 26B but also the second track element 26B and the track separation element 22 to be recorded. The value is set such that it is not recorded on the other pair of first track element 26A and second track element 26B arranged adjacent to each other. Similarly to the first embodiment, as shown in FIG. 21, the end in the width direction Dw of the portion corresponding to the magnetic write width MWw of the recording head 14A in the plan view is the second track element 26B to be recorded. It is preferable that it is coincident with or located in the vicinity of the end on the track separation fine groove 24 side in the width direction Dw. Therefore, the magnetic write width MWw of the recording head 14A is preferably MWw <Tw + Lw.

  As described above, the second track element 26A and the second track element 26B arranged adjacent to each other via the track separation element 22 and the second track element 26B to be recorded include the second track element to be recorded. Since the magnetic signal to be recorded on the element 26B is not recorded, even if the magnetic signal is already recorded on the other pair of the first track element 26A and the second track element 26B, the problem of inappropriate magnetization reversal is Does not occur. Therefore, the recording order of the magnetic signals on the plurality of first track elements 26A and the plurality of second track elements 26B arranged continuously in the width direction Dw in one unit data area UDA is not necessarily the first track element. The order in which the 26A and the second track element 26B are arranged in the width direction Dw is not necessarily the same. In other words, magnetic signals can be recorded on any pair of first track element 26A and second track element 26B, and the degree of freedom in recording magnetic signals is great.

  As in the first embodiment, in the second embodiment, the second track element recording process is first executed, and the offset recording is executed in the first track element recording process executed later. Good.

  Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described. The magnetic recording / reproducing apparatus 10 according to the third embodiment differs from the second embodiment in a method of recording a magnetic signal on the first track element 26A. Since other than this is the same as in the second embodiment, the same components as those in FIGS.

  A method of recording a magnetic signal on the first track element 26A by the control device 16 according to the third embodiment will be described. In the third embodiment, as shown in FIG. 22, the width direction Dw of the recording head 14A is also used in the first track element recording step (S102) executed prior to the second track element recording step (S106). The recording head 14A is offset so that the center Chw of the recording medium is offset from the second track element 26B paired with the first track element 26A to be recorded with respect to the center Ct1 in the width direction Dw of the first track element 26A to be recorded. The magnetic head 14 is controlled so as to execute offset recording for recording the magnetic signal on the first track element 26A by controlling the position in the width direction Dw. The offset amount is set to a value such that the magnetic signal to be recorded on the first track element 26A is not recorded on the second track element 26B (which makes a pair with the first track element 26A to be recorded). Further, the offset amount is determined not only by the second track element 26B in which the magnetic signal to be recorded on the first track element 26A is paired with the first track element 26A but also by the first track element 26A and the track separation element 22 to be recorded. Therefore, the value is set such that it is not recorded on other second track elements 26B arranged adjacent to each other. Further, as shown in FIG. 22, in the plan view, the end in the width direction Dw of the portion corresponding to the magnetic writing width MWw of the recording head 14A is the track separation fine groove in the width direction Dw in the first track element 26A to be recorded. It is preferable that it coincides with the end portion on the 24th side or is located in the vicinity thereof. Therefore, the magnetic write width MWw of the recording head 14A is preferably MWw <Tw + Lw. As a result, recording is performed in the entire width direction of the first track element 26A, and a magnetic signal to be recorded on the first track element 26A is transferred to the second track element 26B (which forms a pair with the first track element 26A to be recorded). It can be surely prevented from being recorded.

  Similarly, when a magnetic signal is recorded on the second track element 26B (similar to FIG. 21 of the second embodiment), the center Chw in the width direction Dw of the recording head 14A is the second track element 26B to be recorded. The position of the recording head 14A in the width direction Dw is controlled so as to be offset in the direction away from the first track element 26A paired with the second track element 26B to be recorded with respect to the center Ct2 in the width direction Dw of the recording medium. The magnetic head 14 is controlled to execute offset recording for recording a magnetic signal on the track element 26B (S106). The offset amount is set to a value such that the magnetic signal to be recorded on the second track element 26B is not recorded on the first track element 26A (which is paired with the second track element 26B to be recorded). Further, the offset amount is determined not only by the first track element 26A in which the magnetic signal to be recorded on the second track element 26B is paired with the second track element 26B but also the second track element 26B and the track separation element 22 to be recorded. The value is set such that it is not recorded on the other pair of first track element 26A and second track element 26B arranged adjacent to each other.

  In the third embodiment as well, as in the second embodiment, a plurality of first track elements 26A and a plurality of second track elements 26B arranged continuously in the width direction Dw in one unit data area UDA. The recording order of the magnetic signals does not necessarily need to match the order in which the first track elements 26A and the second track elements 26B are arranged in the width direction. In other words, magnetic signals can be recorded on any pair of first track element 26A and second track element 26B, and the degree of freedom in recording magnetic signals is great.

  Further, when a magnetic signal is recorded on either the first track element 26A or the second track element 26B, no magnetic signal is recorded on the other, so that the first track element 26A and the second track element 26B are independent. Thus, a magnetic signal can be recorded. That is, it is possible to record a magnetic signal on an arbitrary track element regardless of whether it is the first track element 26A or the second track element 26B, and the degree of freedom in recording the magnetic signal is further increased.

  Next, a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described. The fourth embodiment differs from the first to third embodiments in that a track separation fine groove 24 is formed between a pair of first track element 26A and second track element 26B as shown in FIG. The first track element 26A and the second track element 26B are in contact with each other. In other words, the pair of first track elements 26A and the second track elements 26B form one convex portion (the recording layer 20 between two track separation elements 22 adjacent in the width direction Dw). The boundary between the first track element 26A and the second track element 26B is the center in the width direction Dw of the convex portion (the recording layer 20 between two track separation elements 22 adjacent in the width direction Dw).

  Since other configurations are the same as those in the first to third embodiments, the same configurations as those in FIGS. For example, the first track element 26A and the second track element 26B are formed by forming a resin layer having no recess corresponding to the track separation fine groove 24 in the resin layer forming step of the manufacturing method shown in the first embodiment. A magnetic recording medium in which the track separation fine grooves 24 are not formed can be manufactured.

  Thus, by omitting the track separation fine grooves 24 between the first track elements 26A and the second track elements 26B, the installation density of the tracks in the width direction can be further increased.

  The first track element 26A and the second track element 26B are in contact with each other, and the magnetic signal to be recorded on the first track element 26A in the first track element recording step (S102) is recorded on the second track element 26B. In the second track element recording step (S106), the center Chw in the width direction Dw of the recording head 14A is set to the center Ct2 in the width direction Dw of the second track element 26B to be recorded as in the first to second embodiments. On the other hand, the position of the recording head 14A in the width direction Dw is controlled so as to be offset in the direction away from the first track element 26A paired with the second track element 26B to be recorded, and the magnetic signal to the second track element 26B is controlled. By controlling the magnetic head 14 so as to perform offset recording for recording, the magnetic signal of the second track element 26B is changed to the second track. The magnetic signal to be recorded in the pack element 26B is rewritten. Also, by appropriately setting the offset amount, the magnetic signal to be recorded on the second track element 26B (which forms a pair with the second track element 26B to be recorded) and the second track to be recorded Recording on the other pair of first track element 26A and second track element 26B arranged adjacent to each other via the element 26B and the track separation element 22 can be prevented or suppressed. Therefore, a desired magnetic signal can be recorded on each of the first track element 26A and the second track element 26B.

  For example, in the second track element recording step (S106), as shown in FIG. 23, the end in the width direction Dw of the portion corresponding to the magnetic writing width MWw of the recording head 14A in the plan view is the second track to be recorded. It is preferable that the distance is slightly (for example, about 2 to 5 nm) from the boundary between the element 26B and the first track element 26A adjacent thereto. This can reliably prevent the magnetic signal to be recorded on the second track element 26B from being recorded on the first track element 26A (which forms a pair with the second track element 26B to be recorded).

FIG. 23 shows an example in which the magnetic head writing width MWw of the recording head 14A is in the following range and the same recording head position control as in the third embodiment is performed.
Tw ≦ MWw <Tw + Lw

  In the case of this example, as in the third embodiment, it is possible to record a magnetic signal on any track element regardless of whether it is the first track element 26A or the second track element 26B. The degree of freedom is even greater.

  In the case of this example, also in the first track element recording step (S102), the end in the width direction Dw of the portion corresponding to the magnetic writing width MWw of the recording head 14A in the plan view is recorded as shown in FIG. It is preferable that the distance is slightly (for example, about 2 to 5 nm) from the boundary between the target first track element 26A and the second track element 26B adjacent thereto. This can reliably prevent the magnetic signal to be recorded on the first track element 26A from being recorded on the second track element 26B (which forms a pair with the first track element 26A to be recorded).

  Further, as in the first to third embodiments, the center Chr in the width direction Dw of the playback head 14B is set to be the playback target with respect to the center in the width direction Dw of the first track element 26A or the second track element 26B. The first track element to be reproduced by controlling the position of the reproducing head 14B so as to be offset in a direction away from the second track element 26B or the first track element 26A paired with the first track element 26A or the second track element 26B. By executing offset reproduction for reproducing the magnetic signal recorded on the 26A or the second track element 26B, the magnetic signal recorded on the first track element 26A and the second track element 26B can be reproduced with high quality.

  When reproducing the magnetic signal recorded on the first track element 26A, the end in the width direction Dw of the portion corresponding to the magnetic read width MRw of the reproducing head 14B in the plan view is the first track element 26A to be reproduced. And a distance (for example, about 2 to 5 nm) from the boundary between and the second track element 26B adjacent thereto. Thereby, the influence of the magnetic signal recorded on the second track element 26B is suppressed, and the magnetic signal recorded on the first track element 26A is reproduced with high quality.

  Similarly, when reproducing the magnetic signal recorded on the second track element 26B, the end in the width direction Dw of the portion corresponding to the magnetic read width MRw of the reproducing head 14B in the plan view is the second track element to be reproduced. It is preferable that the distance is slightly (for example, about 2 to 5 nm) from the boundary between 26B and the first track element 26A adjacent thereto.

  FIG. 23 shows an example in which the magnetic head writing width MWw of the recording head 14A is in the range of Tw ≦ MWw <Tw + Lw, and the same position control of the recording head 14A as in the third embodiment is performed. When the magnetic write width MWw of the recording head 14A is larger as in the embodiment, the position control of the recording head 14A may be performed as in the first embodiment or the second embodiment. In this case, the first track element recording process may be executed first, and the offset recording may be executed in the second track element recording process executed later, or the second track element recording process may be executed first. The offset recording may be executed in the first track element recording step which is executed later.

In the first embodiment, the following range is exemplified as the range of the magnetic write width MWw of the recording head 14A.
2 * Tw + Sw ≦ MWw <2 * Tw + Sw + 2 * Lw

  However, in the first embodiment, a magnetic head including a recording head having a magnetic write width MWw larger than this range may be used. In the fourth embodiment, the same magnetic head control as in the first embodiment may be performed using a magnetic head including a recording head having a magnetic write width MWw larger than 2 * Tw + 2 * Lw.

In the first embodiment, a recording head having a magnetic write width MWw in the following range may be used.
Tw + Sw + Lw ≦ MWw <2 * Tw + Sw

In the second to fourth embodiments, a recording head having a magnetic write width MWw in the following range may be used.
MWw <Tw

In the first to fourth embodiments, the following ranges are shown as examples of the magnetic read width MRw of the reproducing head 14B.
Tw ≦ MRw <Tw + Sw + Lw

  However, the magnetic read width MRw of the reproducing head 14B may be smaller than Tw if the magnetic signals recorded on the first track element 26A and the second track element 26B can be reproduced with high quality. In this case, it is not always necessary to perform offset reproduction. For example, the reproducing head is such that the center in the width direction Dw of the reproducing head 14B coincides with the center in the width direction Dw of the first track element 26A or the second track element 26B to be reproduced. The magnetic signal recorded on the first track element 26A or the second track element 26B to be played back may be played back by controlling the position of.

  In the first to fourth embodiments, the dimension in the thickness direction of the track separation element 22 is equal to the dimension in the thickness direction of the first track element 26A and the second track element 26B. The dimension in the vertical direction may be larger than the dimension in the thickness direction of the first track element 26A and the second track element 26B. The dimension in the thickness direction of the track separation element 22 may be smaller than the dimension in the thickness direction of the first track element 26A and the second track element 26B.

  In the first to third embodiments, the track separation element 22 and the filling element 24A fill the space between the first track element 26A and the second track element 26B, but the flying height of the magnetic head 14 is stable. In this case, the track separation fine groove 24 may be a gap (groove). Further, if the flying height of the magnetic head 14 is stabilized, the track separation element 22 may be a gap (groove). In the fourth embodiment, the track separation element 22 may be a gap (groove).

  In the first to fourth embodiments, the soft magnetic layer 32 and the orientation layer 34 are formed under the recording layer 20, but the configuration of the layers under the recording layer 20 depends on the type of magnetic recording medium. What is necessary is just to change suitably according to it. For example, an underlayer or an antiferromagnetic layer may be formed between the soft magnetic layer 32 and the substrate 18. One or both of the soft magnetic layer 32 and the alignment layer 34 may be omitted. Further, the recording layer may be directly formed on the substrate.

  In the first to fourth embodiments, the first mask layer 52, the second mask layer 54, and the resin layer 56 are formed on the continuous recording layer 20, and the first track element is formed by three-stage dry etching. 26A and the second track element 26B are formed. However, if the first track element 26A and the second track element 26B can be formed with high accuracy, the material of the mask layer and the resin layer, the number of layers, the thickness, and the type of dry etching Etc. are not particularly limited.

  In the first to fourth embodiments, grooves corresponding to the first track element 26A, the second track element 26B, and the track separation element 22 are formed by etching, and are formed on the first track element 26A and the second track element 26B. In this example, the material of the track separation element 22 is deposited to form the track separation element 22, but the first track element 26A, the second track element 26B or the track separation element 22 in the magnetic layer of the continuous film is shown. Corresponding portions are subjected to ion implantation processing or reactive gas processing to have the first track element 26A and second track element 26B having saturation magnetization and the saturation magnetization is smaller than that of the first track element 26A and second track element 26B. Alternatively, the track separation element 22 in which the saturation magnetization amount substantially disappears may be formed.

  In the first to fourth embodiments, the magnetic recording medium 12 is a perpendicular recording type having the arc-shaped first track element 26A and the second track element 26B corresponding to the track shape, but is intermittent in the circumferential direction. Naturally, the present invention can also be applied to a magnetic disk having a track element having a shape corresponding to a recording bit formed in a typical manner and a magnetic disk having a spiral recording layer (track element). The present invention is naturally applied to a magnetic disk having a recording layer in which the track separation element is formed partway in the thickness direction and the lower part of the track separation element is made of the same magnetic material as the first track element and the second track element. Applicable. Further, the present invention is naturally applicable to a longitudinal recording type magnetic disk. The present invention can also be applied to a double-sided recording type magnetic recording medium in which recording layers and the like are formed on both sides of the substrate. Also, magneto-optical disks such as MO, heat-assisted magnetic disks that use both magnetism and heat, microwave-assisted magnetic disks that use both magnetism and microwaves, and other irregularities other than disk shapes such as magnetic tape The present invention can also be applied to a magnetic recording medium having a pattern recording layer.

  As in the fourth embodiment, there is no track separation fine groove between the first track element 26A and the second track element 26B, and the magnetic recording medium 12 is in contact with the first track element 26A and the second track element 26B. The magnetic signal was recorded / reproduced by the magnetic recording / reproducing apparatus 10 provided with the magnetic recording medium 12. The main specifications were as follows.

Recording layer thickness: 20nm
First track element width: 40nm
Second track element width: 40nm
Track separation element width: 30nm
Track separation element thickness dimension: 20nm
Magnetic write width of recording head: 40nm
Magnetic read width of read head: 40nm

  First, the first track element recording step (S102) was executed. Specifically, the center in the width direction Dw of the recording head 14A is paired with the first track element 26A with respect to the center in the width direction Dw of the first track element 26A to be recorded (the first track element 26A to be recorded). Offset recording is performed in which the position of the recording head 14A in the width direction Dw is controlled to be offset by 5 nm in a direction away from the second track element 26B (in contact with the second track element 26B) and magnetic signals are recorded on the first track element 26A to be recorded. The magnetic head 14 was controlled to record a 1200 kbpi magnetic signal on the first track element 26A.

  Next, the second track element recording step (S106) was performed. Specifically, the center of the recording head 14A in the width direction Dw is opposed to the second track element 26B with respect to the center in the width direction Dw of the second track element 26B to be recorded (in contact with the first track element 26A). The position of the recording head 14A in the width direction Dw is controlled so as to be offset by 5 nm in a direction away from the first track element 26A (which is in contact with the second track element 26B to be recorded) and to the second track element 26B to be recorded. The magnetic head 14 was controlled so as to execute offset recording for recording the magnetic signal, and a magnetic signal of 600 kbpi was recorded on the second track element 26B.

  Next, the magnetic signal recorded on the first track element 26A was reproduced. Specifically, the magnetic head 14 was controlled so that the center in the width direction Dw of the reproducing head 14B coincided with the center in the width direction Dw of the first track element 26A to be reproduced, and recorded on the first track element 26A. A 1200 kbpi magnetic signal was reproduced and the S / N ratio of the reproduced signal was measured. The measurement results of the SN ratio are shown in Table 1.

  When reproducing the magnetic signal recorded on the first track element 26A, the center in the width direction Dw of the reproduction head 14B is reproduced with respect to the center in the width direction Dw of the first track element 26A to be reproduced. The position of the reproducing head 14B in the width direction Dw is controlled so as to be offset by 5 nm in a direction away from the second track element 26B that makes a pair with the target first track element 26A (in contact with the first track element 26A to be reproduced). The magnetic head 14 is controlled to execute offset reproduction for reproducing the magnetic signal recorded on the first track element 26A to be reproduced, and the 1200 kbpi magnetic signal recorded on the first track element 26A is reproduced (S204). ), The S / N ratio of the reproduction signal was measured. Other conditions were the same as in Example 1. The measurement results of the SN ratio are shown in Table 1.

  As in the third embodiment, the magnetic recording medium 12 in which the track separation fine groove 24 is formed between the first track element 26A and the second track element 26B is manufactured, and the magnetic recording / reproducing including the magnetic recording medium 12 is performed. The apparatus 10 recorded and reproduced magnetic signals. The main specifications were as follows.

Recording layer thickness: 20nm
First track element width: 35nm
Second track element width: 35nm
Track separation element width: 30nm
Track separation element thickness dimension: 20nm
Track separation fine groove width: 10nm
Dimension in the thickness direction of track separation fine groove: 5nm
Magnetic write width of recording head: 40nm
Magnetic read width of read head: 40nm

  In the first track element recording step (S102), the center in the width direction Dw of the recording head 14A makes a pair with the first track element 26A to be recorded with respect to the center in the width direction Dw of the first track element 26A to be recorded. The position in the width direction Dw of the recording head 14A is controlled so as to be offset by 2.5 nm in the direction away from the second track element 26B (adjacent to the first track element 26A to be recorded), and the first track element 26A to be recorded. The magnetic head 14 was controlled so as to execute offset recording for recording the magnetic signal, and a magnetic signal of 1200 kbpi was recorded on the first track element 26A. In plan view, the end in the width direction Dw of the portion corresponding to the magnetic writing width MWw of the recording head 14A coincides with the end on the track separation fine groove 24 side in the width direction Dw of the first track element 26A to be recorded. Thus, the magnetic head 14 was controlled (see FIG. 22).

  Similarly, in the second track element recording step (S106), the center of the recording head 14A in the width direction Dw is opposite to the center of the recording target second track element 26B in the width direction Dw and the recording target second track element 26B. The second track element to be recorded by controlling the position in the width direction Dw of the recording head 14A so as to be offset by 2.5 nm in the direction away from the first track element 26A (adjacent to the second track element 26B to be recorded) The magnetic head 14 was controlled to execute offset recording for recording the magnetic signal on 26B, and a magnetic signal of 600 kbpi was recorded on the second track element 26B. In plan view, the end in the width direction Dw of the portion corresponding to the magnetic write width MWw of the recording head 14A coincides with the end on the track separation fine groove 24 side in the width direction Dw of the second track element 26B to be recorded. Thus, the magnetic head 14 was controlled (see FIG. 21).

  Further, when reproducing the magnetic signal recorded on the first track element 26A, the center of the reproducing head 14B in the width direction Dw is the first to be reproduced with respect to the center of the width direction Dw of the first track element 26A to be reproduced. A reproduction target is controlled by controlling the position of the reproduction head 14B in the width direction Dw so as to be offset by 2.5 nm in a direction away from the second track element 26B (adjacent to the first track element 26A to be reproduced) which is paired with the track element 26A. The magnetic head 14 is controlled so as to execute offset reproduction for reproducing the magnetic signal recorded on the first track element 26A of the first track element 26A to reproduce the 1200 kbpi magnetic signal recorded on the first track element 26A. The S / N ratio was measured. In plan view, the end in the width direction Dw of the portion corresponding to the magnetic read width MRw of the read head 14B coincides with the end on the track separation fine groove 24 side in the width direction Dw of the first track element 26A to be played back. Thus, the magnetic head 14 was controlled (see FIG. 14).

  Other conditions were the same as in Example 1. The measurement results of the SN ratio are shown in Table 1.

  In contrast to Example 3, magnetic signals were recorded / reproduced by the magnetic recording / reproducing apparatus 10 including the magnetic head 14 having the recording head 14A having a large magnetic write width MWw as in the first embodiment. The main specifications were as follows.

Recording layer thickness: 20nm
First track element width: 35nm
Second track element width: 35nm
Track separation element width: 30nm
Track separation element thickness dimension: 20nm
Track separation fine groove width: 10nm
Dimension in the thickness direction of track separation fine groove: 5nm
Magnetic write width of recording head: 90nm
Magnetic read width of read head: 40nm

  In the first track element recording step (S102), the center of the recording head 14A in the width direction Dw is paired with the first track element 26A to be recorded (adjacent to the first track element 26A to be recorded). The magnetic head 14 was controlled so as to coincide with the center in the width direction Dw of the track separation fine groove 24 between the track element 26B and a magnetic signal of 1200 kbpi was recorded on the first track element 26A (see FIG. 11).

  In the second track element recording step (S106), the center in the width direction Dw of the recording head 14A makes a pair with the second track element 26B to be recorded with respect to the center in the width direction Dw of the second track element 26B to be recorded. The position of the recording head 14A in the width direction Dw is controlled so as to be offset by 27.5 nm in the direction away from the first track element 26A (adjacent to the second track element 26B to be recorded) and moved to the second track element 26B to be recorded. The magnetic head 14 was controlled so as to execute offset recording for recording the magnetic signal, and a magnetic signal of 600 kbpi was recorded on the second track element 26B. In plan view, the end in the width direction Dw of the portion corresponding to the magnetic write width MWw of the recording head 14A coincides with the end on the track separation fine groove 24 side in the width direction Dw of the second track element 26B to be recorded. Thus, the magnetic head 14 was controlled (see FIG. 12).

  When reproducing the magnetic signal recorded on the first track element 26A, the center in the width direction Dw of the reproducing head 14B is set to the center in the width direction Dw of the first track element 26A to be reproduced, as in the third embodiment. Position of the reproducing head 14B in the width direction Dw so as to be offset by 2.5 nm in a direction away from the second track element 26B (adjacent to the first track element 26A to be reproduced) paired with the first track element 26A to be reproduced. And the magnetic head 14 is controlled so as to execute offset reproduction for reproducing the magnetic signal recorded on the first track element 26A to be reproduced, and the 1200 kbpi magnetic signal recorded on the first track element 26A is obtained. The signal was reproduced and the S / N ratio of the reproduced signal was measured. In plan view, the end in the width direction Dw of the portion corresponding to the magnetic read width MRw of the read head 14B coincides with the end on the track separation fine groove 24 side in the width direction Dw of the first track element 26A to be played back. Thus, the magnetic head 14 was controlled (see FIG. 14).

  Other conditions were the same as in Example 3. The measurement results of the SN ratio are shown in Table 1.

[Comparative example]
Compared to Example 1, in the first track element recording step (S102), the magnetic head 14 is moved so that the center in the width direction Dw of the recording head 14A coincides with the center in the width direction Dw of the first track element 26A to be recorded. Under control, a magnetic signal of 1200 kbpi was recorded on the first track element 26A.

  Also in the second track element recording step (S106), the position of the magnetic head 14 is controlled so that the center in the width direction Dw of the recording head 14A coincides with the center in the width direction Dw of the second track element 26B to be recorded. Then, a magnetic signal of 600 kbpi was recorded on the second track element 26B.

  When reproducing the magnetic signal recorded on the first track element 26A, the center in the width direction Dw of the reproducing head 14B coincides with the center in the width direction Dw of the first track element 26A to be reproduced as in the first embodiment. In this way, the magnetic head 14 was controlled to reproduce a 1200 kbpi magnetic signal recorded on the first track element 26A, and the SN ratio of the reproduced signal was measured. Other conditions were the same as in Example 1. The measurement results of the SN ratio are shown in Table 1.

  As shown in Table 1, in the second track element recording step (S106), the center of the recording head 14A in the width direction Dw is the second to be recorded relative to the center of the recording target second track element 26B in the width direction Dw. The magnetic signal was recorded on the second track element 26B to be recorded by controlling the position in the width direction Dw of the recording head 14A so as to be offset in the direction away from the first track element 26A paired with the track element 26B. In the first to fourth embodiments, the magnetic head 14 is moved so that the center in the width direction Dw of the recording head 14A coincides with the center in the width direction Dw of the second track element 26B to be recorded in the second track element recording step (S106). The SN ratio was higher than the controlled comparative example. In other words, the width of the recording head 14A is offset so that the center of the recording head 14A in the width direction Dw is offset from the center of the recording target track element in the width direction Dw away from the track element paired with the recording target track element. It has been confirmed that good recording / reproduction characteristics can be obtained by controlling the position in the direction Dw and performing offset recording in which a magnetic signal is recorded on the track element to be recorded.

  Further, at the time of reproduction, from the second track element 26B in which the center in the width direction Dw of the reproduction head 14B makes a pair with the first track element 26A to be reproduced with respect to the center in the width direction Dw of the first track element 26A to be reproduced. In the second embodiment in which offset reproduction is performed in which the magnetic signal recorded on the first track element 26A to be reproduced is reproduced by controlling the position of the reproducing head 14B in the direction of offset in the direction away from the reproducing head 14B. The SN ratio was higher than that in Example 1 in which the center in the width direction Dw coincided with the center in the width direction Dw of the first track element 26A to be reproduced. That is, the position of the reproducing head 14B is controlled in a direction in which the center of the reproducing head 14B in the width direction Dw is offset from the track element that forms a pair with the reproducing target track element with respect to the center of the reproducing target track element. Thus, it was confirmed that better recording / reproduction characteristics can be obtained by executing offset reproduction for reproducing the magnetic signal recorded on the reproduction target track.

  In the third and fourth embodiments in which the track separation fine groove 24 is formed between the first track element 26A and the second track element 26B, the track separation is performed between the first track element 26A and the second track element 26B. The SN ratio was higher than in Examples 1 and 2 in which there was no fine groove 24 and the first track element 26A and the second track element 26B were in contact. That is, it was confirmed that even better recording / reproduction characteristics can be obtained by forming the track separation fine groove 24 between the first track element 26A and the second track element 26B.

  The present invention can be used for a magnetic recording medium having a recording layer including a track element and a track separation element.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Magnetic recording / reproducing apparatus 12 ... Magnetic recording medium 14 ... Magnetic head 16 ... Control apparatus 18 ... Substrate 20 ... Recording layer 22 ... Track separation element 24 ... Track separation fine groove 24A ... Filling element 26A ... First track element 26B ... First 2-track element 28A, 28B, 28C, 28D ... burst signal element 32 ... soft magnetic layer 34 ... orientation layer 50 ... workpiece 52 ... first mask layer 54 ... second mask layer 56 ... resin layer Chw ... width of the recording head Center of direction Chr: Center of reproducing head in width direction Ct1: Center of first track element in width direction Ct2: Center of second track element in width direction SPA: Space area UDA: Unit data area S102: First track element recording Steps S104, S108 ... Recording continuation / end determination step S106 ... Second track element recording step S202 ... Reproduction target Rack element selection process S204 ... Track element regeneration process S206 ... Reproduction continuation / end determination process S302 ... Processing body preparation process S304 ... Resin layer formation process S306 ... Track element formation process S308 ... Separation element and filling element formation process S310 ... Planarization step S312 ... Protective layer film formation step S314 ... Lubrication layer film formation step

Claims (9)

A substrate, a recording layer formed on the substrate with a first track element and a second track element arranged in a pattern corresponding to the track and arranged alternately in the width direction of the track, and the circumference of the track A pair of the first track element and the second track element are disposed between two track separation elements adjacent to each other in the width direction of the track. A magnetic recording medium in which a track element is disposed in contact with one track separation element of the two adjacent track separation elements and the second track element is disposed in contact with the other track separation element;
A magnetic head comprising a recording head for recording a magnetic signal on the magnetic recording medium and a reproducing head for reproducing the magnetic signal recorded on the magnetic recording medium;
A control device for controlling the magnetic head;
Including
The control device includes: a first track element recording step for recording a magnetic signal on the first track element; and a second track element recording step for recording a magnetic signal on the second track element paired with the first track element. In at least the later-executed step, from the other track element in which the center in the width direction of the recording head is paired with the track element to be recorded with respect to the center in the width direction of the track element to be recorded Controlling the position of the recording head in the width direction so as to be offset in a direction away from the recording head, and controlling the magnetic head to perform offset recording for recording a magnetic signal on the track element to be recorded. A magnetic recording / reproducing apparatus. In claim 1,
The magnetic recording medium includes one or more unit data areas in which a plurality of pairs of the first track element and the second track element are continuously arranged in the width direction with only the track separation element interposed therebetween,
In the control device, the recording order of the magnetic signals to the plurality of first track elements and the plurality of second track elements arranged continuously in the width direction in one unit data area is the first order. A track that coincides with the order in which the track elements and the second track elements are arranged in the width direction and that is disposed at one end of the unit data area in the width direction of the first track elements and the second track elements. A magnetic recording / reproducing apparatus, wherein the magnetic head is controlled so that a magnetic signal is first recorded on the element. In claim 1 or 2,
The control apparatus controls the magnetic head to execute the offset recording in both the first track element recording process and the second track element recording process. In any one of Claims 1 thru | or 3,
The control device includes both a first track element reproduction step for reproducing the magnetic signal recorded on the first track element and a second track element reproduction step for reproducing the magnetic signal recorded on the second track element. The reproduction head is offset so that the center in the width direction of the reproduction head is offset from the other track element paired with the reproduction target track element with respect to the width direction center of the reproduction target track element. A magnetic recording / reproducing apparatus for controlling the magnetic head to perform offset reproduction for reproducing a magnetic signal recorded on the track element to be reproduced by controlling a position of the head in the width direction. In any one of Claims 1 thru | or 4,
The recording layer includes a track having a smaller width in the width direction of the track and a smaller dimension in the thickness direction than the track separation element between the pair of the first track element and the second track element. A magnetic recording / reproducing apparatus, wherein a separation fine groove is formed along the circumferential direction, and the paired first track element and second track element are separated by the track separation fine groove. In claim 5,
The magnetic recording / reproducing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein upper surfaces of the first track element and the second track element in the recording layer are substantially flat.   A substrate, a recording layer formed on the substrate with a first track element and a second track element arranged in a pattern corresponding to the track and arranged alternately in the width direction of the track, and the circumference of the track A pair of the first track element and the second track element are disposed between two track separation elements adjacent to each other in the width direction of the track. The first track element in the magnetic recording medium in which the track element is disposed in contact with one track separation element of the two adjacent track separation elements and the second track element is disposed in contact with the other track separation element A first track element recording step for recording a magnetic signal on the first track element and a magnetic signal to the second track element paired with the first track element In the step executed at least after the second track element recording step for recording, the center in the width direction of the recording head is the track element to be recorded with respect to the center in the width direction of the track element to be recorded. Offset recording is performed in which the position of the recording head in the width direction is controlled so as to be offset in a direction away from the other track element forming a pair, and magnetic signals are recorded on the track element to be recorded. A method for recording on a magnetic recording medium. A substrate, a recording layer formed on the substrate having a first track element and a second track element arranged in a pattern corresponding to the track and arranged alternately in the width direction of the track; A pair of the first track element and the second track element disposed between two track separation elements adjacent to each other in the width direction of the track. The first track element is disposed in contact with one track separation element of the two adjacent track separation elements, and the second track element is disposed in contact with the other track separation element;
The recording layer includes a track having a smaller width in the width direction of the track and a smaller dimension in the thickness direction than the track separation element between the pair of the first track element and the second track element. A magnetic recording medium, wherein a separation fine groove is formed along the circumferential direction, and the paired first track element and second track element are separated by the track separation fine groove. In claim 8,
The magnetic recording medium according to claim 1, wherein upper surfaces of the first track element and the second track element in the recording layer are substantially flat.

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