Production method and production apparatus for magnetic recording medium

Abstract

A production method and a production apparatus for a magnetic recording medium, which enable the efficient production of a discrete type magnetic recording medium, while reliably preventing any deterioration of the partitioned recording elements. The magnetic recording medium production apparatus includes: recording layer processing device, which by forming a plurality of grooves, with a minute spacing therebetween in a planar direction, in an intermediate of a magnetic recording medium comprising a continuous recording layer, partitions the continuous recording layer into a plurality of partitioned recording elements; non-magnetic body filling device for filling the grooves between the partitioned recording elements with a non-magnetic body; smoothing device for smoothing the surface of the partitioned recording elements and the non-magnetic body; protective layer formation device for forming a protective layer on the partitioned recording elements and the non-magnetic body; and vacuum retention device which houses the recording layer processing device, the non-magnetic body filling device, the smoothing device, and the protective layer formation device, and maintains the environment surrounding the intermediate in a state of vacuum.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.