Patent ID: 7911739

Claim:
A method for writing magnetization states in a multi-level patterned magnetic medium comprising a plurality of pillars distributed in an X direction and a Y direction which are orthogonal to each other and define an X-Y plane, consecutive pillars of the plurality of pillars separated by non-magnetic material, each pillar comprising a plurality of magnetic islands distributed along a Z direction orthogonal to the X-Y plane, said method comprising: selecting a magnetization state [S 1 ; S 2 ] comprising a magnetic state (S 1 ) and a magnetic state (S 2 ) in a first magnetic island and in a second magnetic island, respectively, of the plurality of magnetic islands of a first pillar of the plurality of pillars, wherein magnetic states (S 1 ) and (S 2 ) are independent of each other, wherein α 1 * and α 2 * are a first tilt angle and a second tilt angle at which a hard axis of the first magnetic island and the second magnetic island are respectively oriented with respect to the X direction, and wherein wherein both of α 1 * and α 2 * differ from 0, 90, 180 and 270 degrees, and wherein −90<α 1 *<0 and/or −90<α 2 *<0; determining a write current (I) sufficient to write the magnetization state [S 1 ; S 2 ]; applying the write current I to a magnetic write head moving in the first direction to generate in the first magnetic island and the second magnetic island a magnetic field that exceeds a switching field of the first magnetic island and a switching field of the second magnetic island; and responsive to said applying, said magnetic write head writing the magnetization state [S 1 ; S 2 ] by simultaneously writing the magnetic state S 1 in the first magnetic island and the magnetic state S 2 in the second magnetic island.