High resolution MFM imaging of in-plane magnetic field gradient for perpendicular magnetic recording media

Abstract

We developed a new imaging method for detection of in-plane magnetic field gradient with high resolution in MFM. This method can detect the in-plane magnetic field gradient of arbitrary direction by changing the scanning direction of cantilever. On the same scan, out-of-plane magnetic field gradient can be measured simultaneously by conventional phase detection method. Therefore, this imaging method is useful to estimate the transition of recording bits in perpendicular magnetic recording media. We will present the imaging results for perpendicular magnetic recording media with utilizing the new method.