Playback performance of perpendicular magnetic recording tape media for over-50-TB cartridge by facing targets sputtering method

Perpendicular magnetic recording tape medium with laminated soft magnetic underlayers was successively formed on a 4.5 μm thin plastic film by the facing targets sputtering method at room temperature. The tape medium showed extremely high SNR values with sharp transitions in playback tests by a drum tester, compared to a linear format commercial tape medium. An areal density of 45.0 Gb/in. 2 of perpendicular tape medium was confirmed by a high-resolution contact tester. These results suggest that the perpendicular recording tape medium by the facing targets sputtering method is a promising candidate for a tape cartridge of over 50-TB. ► Perpendicular magnetic recording tape medium was formed by the facing targets sputtering method. ► Laminated soft magnetic underlayers reduced low-frequency media noise. ► The tape showed high SNR values with sharp transitions in playback tests by a drum tester. ► An areal density of 45.0 Gb/in. 2 was confirmed by a high-resolution contact tester.