Structural design of CoCrPt(Ta,B)/Cr magnetic thin film media for ultra high density longitudinal magnetic recording

Abstract

CoCrPt(Ta,B) thin films with Cr underlayers were studied as potential candidates for ultra-high density magnetic recording media for data storage at 10 Gbits/inch². The experimental approach used was aimed at an analysis of the structure-properties relationships in these thin films. As a result structural and composition changes resulting in magnetic and noise properties have been identified. It has been shown that very high in-plane coercivities of 2700 Oe and above could be obtained in CoCrPt films with Pt contents < 20 at.%; in CoCrPtTa for Pt contents < 12% Pt (with 2.5–5% Ta) and in CoCrPtB (with 3–7% B) for Pt contents < 11%. Also methods for improvement of S^∗, noise characteristics and refinement of grain size and surface roughness have been demonstrated.