We have used Polar MOKE measurements and micromagnetic calculations based on Monte-Carlo
techniques to characterize the magnetic properties of perpendicular recording
media. In the presentation, I will go over the various measurements that
are routinely performed and the information that can be gained from them. Using
a combination of different measurements and independent input on the structure
of the samples, many of the microscopic parameters can be determined with
reasonable accuracy.
One measurement of special interest that will be introduced in more detail
is the characterization of Switching Field Distributions using a collection of
recoil loops, with particular focus on the differentiation between the effects
of the demagnetizing field and the intrinsic switching field distribution in
samples with perpendicular anisotropy. This technique can be extended to the
characterization of energy barrier distributions.