This book is a comprehensive text on the theory of the magnetic recording process.

Application-oriented book on magnetic recording, focussing on the underlying physical mechanisms that play crucial roles in medium and transducer development for high areal density disk drives.

This expanded and updated new edition provides a comprehensive overview of the science and technology of magnetic recording. In the six years since the publication of the first edition, the magnetic recording and storage industry has burgeoned with the introduction of a host of new ideas and technologies. His book contains a discussion of almost every technologically important aspect of recording. - Continas complete coverage of the current technology of magnetic recording and storage - Written in a non-mathematical but scientifically accurate style - Permits intelligent evaluations to be made of both the past evolution and the future trends in a wide variety of magnetic storage devices

A comprehensive, easy-to-use guide to the fundamentals and applications of magnetism As magnetic recording technology continues to evolve at a rapid pace-in digital data storage as well as video and audio applications-there is a growing need for a basic primer to help explain advances in the field. Written by industry expert R. Lawrence Comstock, this immensely useful guide combines an introductory treatment of the physics and material science of magnetism with clear, thorough, up-to-date coverage of magnetic recording systems and their components. From basic magnetic properties to the fabrication of magnetic mate-rials to the magnetic recording process, Dr. Comstock examines in detail both theory and applications, reinforces concepts with real-world data, and provides insight into new and emerging technologies. Key topics include: * The ferromagnetism of the transition metals * Properties of ferromagnetic thin films * The state of the art of digital magnetic recording technology * Magnetic recording heads, including magnetoresistive and giant magnetoresistive heads * Recording media in disk drive technology An indispensable resource for engineers and scientists working on the development and manufacturing of magnetic recording technologies, Introduction to Magnetism and Magnetic Recording also features extensive tables of the properties of magnetic materials, 30 photographs, and more than 200 graphs. Dr. Comstock retired as a senior technical staff member from IBM after more than two decades of service. He was a Vice President of Advanced Technology at Maxtor Corporation for three years.

When I started in magnetic recording nearly fifty years ago, it was easy to perceive the common sense of it. There was very little mathematics and every new finding was a source of wonder. I have tried to recapture this spirit with simple explanations, while maintaining a high density of infonnation and cov ering the entire field. This book introduces a novice to magnetic recording and its many branches. It includes reference data for designers and users. Each chapter stands by itself; no prerequisites are essential. For a quick survey, the equations and worked out examples can be disregarded. The magnetic recording art is changing so rapidly that new advances are announced almost every month. These are properly covered by journal articles and manufacturers' catalogs. This book will fulfil its purpose if it gives a back ground for easily comprehending the new advances. I have included subjects and devices not found elsewhere, and some unconventional viewpoints. I would welcome comments from readers. To Jay McKnight I am deeply grateful for important suggestions and helpful comments. I appreciate also the help of BASF, John Boyers, Joseph Dundovic, Charles Ginsburg, Peter Hammar, Yasuo Imaoka, Hal Kaitchuk, Otto Kornei, Harold Miller, Jack Mullin, Jim Novak, Lenard Perlman, Carl Powell, Sidney Rubens, John Shennan, Shigeo Shima, Heinz Thiele, Yoshimi Watanabe and many others; and to my daughter Ruth for typing.

First-time paperback of successful and well-reviewed book; for graduate students and researchers in physics and engineering.