perpendicular recording
A method of digital recording on a magnetic disk in which the bits are in a vertical arrangement instead of horizontal in order to take up less space. Also called "vertical recording," perpendicular recording is expected to materialize with areal densities exceeding 200 gigabits per square inch in the 2007-2008 time frame. By 2010, perpendicular densities are expected to exceed 500 Gb/sq. in.. See superparamagnetic limit and areal density.
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| Longitudinal (Horizontal) Recording |
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| For decades, magnetic bits have been written horizontally on the recording surface of the disk platter. (Illustration assistance courtesy of Hitachi Global Storage Technologies.) |
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| Perpendicular (Vertical) Recording |
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| Vertical bits save space. The magnetic flux coming out of the bottom of the write pole (P2) effects the bit directly below. It goes down through the vertical bit area, around the soft underlayer and back up the return pole (P1). (Illustration assistance courtesy of Hitachi Global Storage Technologies.) |