Preparation of Co-containing spinel ferrite/Mn-Zn ferrite double-layer perpendicular recording media

Spinel ferrite thin-film is promising as perpendicular magnetic recording (PMR) media for high density recording because an overcoat protective is not necessary. We have already reported on the low temperature preparation and the magnetic and recording characteristics of Co-containing spinel ferrite thin-film single-layer perpendicular media. The introduction of a soft magnetic layer as a backlayer is essential to improve the recording and reproducing performance of the media. In this study, the preparation method of Ni-Zn spinel ferrite thin-films for the backlayer of PMR media, using a reactive sputtering method utilizing an electron-cyclotron-resonance (ECR) microwave plasma, was investigated and a Co-containing spinel ferrite/Ni-Zn ferrite double-layer PMR medium was fabricated as a trial.