Magnetic recording medium with high areal recording density and magnetic recording apparatus

A magnetic recording apparatus comprising:

• a magnetic recording medium;
• a driving section configured to drive the magnetic recording medium for rotation;
• and
• a compound head having writing and reading heads,
• wherein:
• the magnetic recording medium comprises a substrate, an underlayer, a first magnetic layer, a second magnetic layer, a third magnetic layer, a first intermediate layer disposed between the first and second magnetic layers, a second intermediate layer disposed between the second and third magnetic layers, a protective layer, and a lubricant layer,
• the first magnetic layer is disposed between the underlayer and the second magnetic layer,
• the third magnetic layer is disposed between the second intermediate layer and the protective layer,
• the first magnetic layer comprises a cobalt-based alloy,
• each of the second magnetic layer and the third magnetic layer comprises a cobalt-based alloy containing platinum, chromium and boron,
• a concentration of chromium contained in the third magnetic layer is less than a concentration of chromium contained in the second magnetic layer,
• the concentration of chromium contained in the third magnetic layer is about 15 at. % or less,
• the first intermediate layer comprises ruthenium or an alloy mainly comprising ruthenium, and
• a ratio of a writing gap length of the writing magnetic head to a geometrical writing track width is from about 1.5 to 2.1.