Individual bit island reversal and switching field distribution in perpendicular magnetic bit patterned media

The switching of single bit magnetic islands in bit patterned media (BPM) for two cases with 10 times difference in coercivity, as well as the switching field distribution (SFD) of the islands, has been studied using magnetic force microscopy (MFM) measurements. The intrinsic SFD is measured to be ∼9–11% of the remanence coercivity (Hcr), which contributes only ∼20–50% of the total SFD broadening (∼23–41% of Hcr). High resolution MFM observations clearly showed the influence of surrounding islands on the switching behaviour and switching fields of individual bit islands, resulting in significant contributions in SFD broadening due to non-intrinsic dipolar interactions. It was further observed that single magnetic islands could be switched within a very narrow switching field range as small as 4 Oe, which indicates very sharp and uniform switching for each individual island of BPM.

Research Highlights
► MFM was used to study the switching of single bit magnetic islands in BPM.
► The intrinsic SFD is measured to be only ∼20–50% of the total SFD broadening.
► MFM showed significant effects of dipolar interactions on SFD broadening.
► Sharp and uniform switching was observed for each individual island in BPM.