Magnetic recording medium and magnetic recording and reproduction apparatus

Abstract

A magnetic recording medium is provided, which includes a recording layer formed in a concavo-convex pattern to achieve high areal density and can ensure good recording and reproduction characteristics so as to provide high reliability. The magnetic recording medium has a substrate and a recording layer formed in the predetermined concavo-convex pattern over the substrate. The recording layer has a non-recording element and recording elements. The non-recording element is formed as convex portion of the concavo-convex pattern at an outer circumferential end and/or an inner circumferential end. The recording elements are formed as convex portions of the concavo-convex pattern in a region other than a region where the non-recording element is arranged. The magnetic recording medium further has a non-magnetic material with which concave portions of the concavo-convex pattern are filled and which covers the non-recording element, and a protective layer formed over the recording layer and the non-magnetic material.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.