Recording on Bit-Patterned Media at Densities of 1 Tb/in $^2$ and Beyond

We present a comprehensive analysis of the areal density potential of a bit-patterned media recording. The recording performance is dominated by written-in errors rather than traditional signal-to-noise considerations. Written-in errors are caused by statistical fluctuations of the magnetic properties and the locations of the individual dots. The highest areal densities are obtained with a combination of a pole head, a soft magnetic underlayer, and a storage medium of the composite type. Areal density scenarios of up to 5 Tb/in 2 are analyzed