Patent ID: 6798590
Filing Date: 2004-09-28
Classification: G11B

Abstract:
A method of forming a pattern of magnetized regions in the magnetic recording layer of a rigid magnetic recording disk comprising:providing a magnetic recording disk comprising a rigid substrate, a magnetic recording layer on the substrate having an annular portion magnetized in the plane of the recording layer in a first circular direction, and an outer layer on the recording layer; providing a flexible sheet having a plurality of islands comprising magnetic shielding material extending above one of the sheet surfaces; positioning the recording disk with the outer layer facing the islands on the flexible sheet; applying a differential gas pressure to the flexible sheet to press the islands against the outer layer of the recording disk; generating a magnetic field in the plane of the recording layer in a direction opposite to the first circular direction of magnetization; and moving the magnetic field around the disk to reverse the magnetization direction of the regions of the recording layer in the openings between the regions of the recording layer beneath the outer layer in contact with the islands.