Magnetic recording medium and method for the manufacture thereof including spaced apart deposits

A magnetic recording medium comprising:

• a non-magnetic base;
• a plurality of irregularly distributed Spaced apart solid phase non-magnetic metal deposits containing nitrogen formed on a surface of the non-magnetic base, wherein the average diameter of said metal deposits is in the range between 15 nm to 200 nm, and the space between said metal deposits is in the range between one-fifth to five times the average diameter of said deposits;
• a non-magnetic metallic base layer formed over the non-magnetic metal deposits, wherein the non-magnetic metallic base layer completely covers the non-magnetic metal deposits and contacts the surface of the non-magnetic base at locations between the non-magnetic metal deposits;
• a thin film magnetic layer comprising a ferromagnetic alloy formed on the metallic base layer, wherein the thin film magnetic layer is isolated from contacting the non-magnetic metal deposits by said non-magnetic metallic base layer;
• and a protection layer formed on the surface of the thin magnetic layer, wherein said protection layer includes an irregular surface that follows contours of the non-magnetic metal deposits and has a surface roughness within a range of 3 nm to 7 nm at an average center line roughness and a height within a range of 20 nm to 65 nm at a maximum height.