To correspond with further high-density recording by shortening the recording wavelength,LTO4 adopts newly developed fine magnetic particles. Further optimizing the dispersingtechnology for LTO4, Sony realized high dispersion and high packing density on newlydeveloped fine magnetic particles that are approx. 70% the volume of LTO3. By introducingnewly-developed tape surface-smoothing technology. Sony improved the tape surface whilealso realizing noise reduction and boosting output in the high frequency range.

LTO4 realized high recording capacity by utilizing thinner tape (LTO3: 8.0µm–LTO4: 6.6µm)to allow a longer tape length (LTO3: 680m–LTO4: 820M). Due to the increased number ofdata tracks (LTO3: 704 – LTO4: 896) and narrowed track width, higher stability of the basefilm against elongation and shrinkage is required. By optimizing the strength balanceof the base film and adopting newly-developed high accuracy cutting technology,Sony LTO4 realizes high stability under various operating conditions.

Since LTO4 has very thin magnetic layer, a decrease of servo signal output recorded ontape was a concern. Despite thin magnetic layer (approx. 0.1 µm) Sony realized highstable servo signal output by employing bias recording theory to optimize servorecording signal control. With the increase of the number of data tracks, more accuratetracking technology is required. Sony realized stable operation on the thin (6.6µm)and smooth tape with a servo writer corresponding to high-density tracking that Sonydeveloped for LTO4 format, achieving high-quality magnetic servo signal writing.The result is significantly improved data writing and reading accuracy.