Direct Observation of High-Density Recorded Bits in Co-CoO Obliquely Evaporated Media with a Spin-Polarized Scanning Electron Microscope

Abstract

We observed the recorded bit structures (in the 10-300 kFCI range) and the magnetization distribution in the remanent state of Co-CoO obliquely evaporated films by using a spin-polarized scanning electron microscope. Uniformly distributed fine island domains (80-90 nm in diameter)were evident in the recorded bit region, but there were only a few island domains (about 130 nm wide) on the bit boundary. Similar island domains observed in the remanent state decrease the magnetostatic energy of the film.This leads to the creation of island domains in the recorded its in the same way as in the remanent state.