Magnetic recording medium, magnetic recording method, and magnetic recording apparatus

A magnetic recording apparatus comprising:

• a magnetic recording medium comprising a substrate, a magnetic recording layer formed on said substrate to record magnetic information, and a piezoelectric material which contracts or expands when subjected to laser light or ultraviolet radiation, wherein piezoelectric members made of said piezoelectric material are formed in such a manner as to be spaced a predetermined distance apart from each other on said substrate in a direction crossing a track on said magnetic recording layer, and said magnetic recording layer is formed between said piezoelectric members;
• laser light or ultraviolet light radiating means for radiating laser light or ultraviolet light toward said magnetic recording medium;
• and
• magnetic field applying means for applying a magnetic field to said magnetic recording medium.

A magnetic recording apparatus comprising:

• a magnetic recording medium comprising a substrate, a magnetic recording layer formed on said substrate to record magnetic information, first electrodes formed in such a manner as to be spaced a predetermined distance apart from each other on said substrate in a direction crossing a track on said magnetic recording layer or in a direction extending along said track, second electrodes formed in such a manner as to be spaced a predetermined distance apart from each other in a vertical direction in-plane relative to the direction of said first electrodes formed on said magnetic recording layer, a first piezoelectric element formed between said first electrodes, and a second piezoelectric element formed between said second electrodes, wherein said magnetic recording layer is formed between said first piezoelectric element and said second piezoelectric element;
• voltage applying means for applying, in accordance with the recording position of said magnetic information, a voltage to said first and second piezoelectric elements, respectively, via said first and second electrodes of said magnetic recording medium;
• and
• magnetic field applying means for applying a magnetic field to said magnetic recording medium.