CoCrTa/CoCrPtTa double-layer films for magnetic recording

Author

Zhang, Bing ; Bennett, Wayne R. ; Gao, Chuan ; Rauch, G.C. ; Blachere, R.

Author_Institution

Seagate Recording Media, Fremont, CA, USA

Volume

32

Issue

5

fYear

1996

fDate

9/1/1996 12:00:00 AM

Firstpage

3590

Lastpage

3592

Abstract

Reports the use of CoCrTa/CoCrPtTa double-layer magnetic films to produce low-noise, high-coercivity recording media. At an optimum thickness ratio, the double layer films can reach higher coercivity (H _c) than either of the single-layer films of the above alloys. The signal-to-media-noise ratio of the composite can be a few dB higher than that of single-layer CoCrPtTa film. Microstructure studies revealed that the bottom-layer film not only seeds the microstructure for the upper-layer film, but also determines the noise characteristics of the double-layer film. It is suggested that the strain and exchange coupling at the interface of the double-layer films are responsible for the enhancement of H_c

Keywords

chromium alloys; cobalt alloys; coercive force; exchange interactions (electron); ferromagnetic materials; grain size; magnetic hysteresis; magnetic multilayers; magnetic recording noise; platinum alloys; sputtered coatings; tantalum alloys; CoCrTa-CoCrPtTa; CoCrTa/CoCrPtTa double-layer films; bottom-layer film; composite; double-layer magnetic films; exchange coupling; low-noise high-coercivity recording media; magnetic recording; microstructure; noise characteristics; optimum thickness ratio; signal-to-media-noise ratio; strain; upper-layer film; Chromium alloys; Coercive force; Disk recording; Magnetic films; Magnetic noise; Magnetic recording; Platinum alloys; Sputtering; Substrates; Transistors;

fLanguage

English

Journal_Title

Magnetics, IEEE Transactions on

Publisher

ieee

ISSN

0018-9464

Type

jour

DOI

10.1109/20.538699

Filename

538699