Magnetic recording medium with recording layer having a predetermined concavo-convex pattern and magnetic recording and reproducing apparatus

A magnetic recording medium comprising:

• recording elements formed as a convex portion of a recording layer, which is formed in a concavo-convex pattern over a substrate;
• and
• filling elements with which concave portions between the recording elements are filled, wherein
• a top surface of the recording elements are formed to be recessed toward the substrate, thereby forming a surface concave portion in a surface of the magnetic recording medium above the recording element in a data region, the surface concave portion having a cross-sectional shape in a section perpendicular to a circumferential direction of a track, the cross-sectional shape having a deepest portion above a center of an underlying recording element in a width direction of the track and having a width monotonically increasing with increase of a distance from the substrate.

A magnetic recording medium comprising:

• recording elements formed as a convex portion of a recording layer, which is formed in a concavo-convex pattern over a substrate;
• a protective film formed over the recording elements;
• filling elements with which concave portions between the recording elements are filled;
• a protective layer formed over the protective film and the filling elements;
• and
• a lubricant layer formed over the protective layer, wherein
• a top surface of the protective film is formed to be recessed toward the substrate, thereby forming a surface concave portion in a surface of the magnetic recording medium above the recording element in a data region, the surface concave portion having a cross-sectional shape in a section perpendicular to a circumferential direction of a track, the cross-sectional shape having a deepest portion above a center of an underlying recording element in a width direction of the track and having a width monotonically increasing with increase of a distance from the substrate.