Investigation of higher recording density using an improved Co--CoO metal evaporated tape with a GMR reproducing head

To demonstrate the highest areal recording density of tape media, we have developed a metal evaporated tape with higher magnetic anisotropy of 2.5 x [10.sup.5] J/[m.sup.3] and finer magnetic activation volume of 2.7 x [10.sup.-24][m.sup.3] of a Co-CoO recordin la er de osited on a g yp smoother base film. A capability of an areal recording density of 23.0 Gb/[in.sup.2] was confirmed using a giant magnetoresistive head as a read head. The smoother surface roughness improved signal-to-noise ratio more than 2 dB. Index Terms--Areal recording density, giant magnetoresistive head, magnetic tape recording, metal evaporated.