# Bit cell

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> Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bit_cell
> Source revision: 1264049220
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A '''bit cell''' is the length of [tape](/source/magnetic_tape), the area of [disc](/source/disk_storage) surface, or the part of an [integrated circuit](/source/integrated_circuit) in which a single [bit](/source/bit) is recorded. The smaller the bit cells are, the greater the [storage density](/source/memory_storage_density) of the medium is.

In [magnetic storage](/source/magnetic_storage), the [magnetic flux](/source/magnetic_flux) or [magnetization](/source/magnetization) does not necessarily change at the boundaries of bit cells to indicate bit states. For example, the presence of a magnetic transition within a bit cell might record state 1, and the lack of such a transition might record state 0. Other [encoding](/source/code)s are also possible.

== See also ==

*[Computer data storage](/source/Computer_data_storage)

== References ==

* [http://www.softpres.org/?id=glossary:bit_cell Software Preservation Society glossary entry for bit cell]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20051202145224/http://www.hitachigst.com/hdd/research/storage/pm/pm1.html Hitachi research page on patterned magnetic media]

{{compu-storage-stub}}

Category:Computer data storage

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Bit cell](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bit_cell) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bit_cell?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.