Method of magnetically recording and reading data, magnetic recording medium, its production method and magnetic recording apparatus

A method of producing a magnetic recording medium having a ferromagnetic recording film to which magnetically readable data are recorded, wherein servo areas for detecting tracking signals are periodically provided along tracks and each of said servo areas has preformed servo pits having different characteristics from those of said magnetic film, said method comprising the steps of:

• preparing a mask having patterns of servo pits to be provided in advance in said servo areas using an elongated shape laser beam spot;
• exposing a resist disposed on said magnetic film through said mask;
• and
• removing said resist corresponding to said patterns;
• wherein said servo pits are preformed by removing locally a base film below said magnetic film corresponding to said patterns.

A method of recording and reading data comprising:

• using a magnetic recording medium including a substrate having preformed pits thereon and a magnetic film storing data in such a form as to be capable of recording and reading magnetically the data, the magnetic film overlying a surface of the substrate including the preformed pits;
• magnetizing the magnetic film in a direction of data recording;
• detecting the magnetic field occurring at edges of each of the preformed pits when a magnetic head scans the magnetic recording medium to obtain a control signal;
• and
• recording or reading data, by the magnetic head on the basis of the control signal.