Magnetic recording medium manufacturing method

A method of manufacturing a magnetic recording medium, comprising:

• forming a continuous magnetic recording layer on a non-magnetic substrate;
• forming a mask layer by applying an ultraviolet-cured resist material on the magnetic recording layer;
• forming alternating mask concave and mask convex portions in the mask layer, the mask layer having step portions marking boundaries between the alternating mask concave and convex portions, each with a taper angle between 66 degrees and 88 degrees, by applying a crystal glass stamp, the stamp having alternating stamp concave and convex portions corresponding to the alternating mask concave and convex portions and having stamp step portions marking boundaries between the alternating step convex and concave portions, each with a taper angle between 66 degrees and 88 degrees;
• and
• altering the magnetic characteristics of portions of the magnetic recording layer corresponding to the mask concave portions by ion implantation, or by exposure to an activated halogen-containing reactive gas, via the mask concave and convex portions, so as to form a separating portion magnetically separating magnetic portions of the magnetic recording layer in positions corresponding to the mask convex portions.