An apparatus may include a first magnetic layer, a first exchange break layer formed on the first magnetic layer, a second magnetic layer formed on the first exchange break layer, a second exchange break layer formed on the second magnetic layer, and a third magnetic layer formed on the second exchange break layer. The first magnetic layer has a first magnetic anisotropy energy, Hk1, the second magnetic layer has a second magnetic anisotropy energy, Hk2, and the third magnetic layer has a third magnetic anisotropy energy, Hk3. In some embodiments, Hk1−Hk2 is less than Hk2−Hk3. In some embodiments, the apparatus may be a perpendicular magnetic recording medium.