An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for increasing data storage
density in patterned media. One or more deposition sources may apply
magnetic material to one or more recesses formed in a substrate, each
recess having opposing sidewalls that are effectively coated by the
deposition sources. The top surface of the substrate may subsequently be
planarized to remove magnetic material from such surface, thereby
isolating one or more recordable magnetic regions formed on each
sidewall. In this manner, the present invention may provide at least two
recordable regions for every recess formed in a substrate.