CoPtCr-SiO/sub 2/ granular media for high density perpendicular recording

A well isolated fine grain structure with large perpendicular magnetic anisotropy K/sub u/ is strongly required for CoCr based high density perpendicular recording media, in order to achieve low media noise performance and high thermal stability. A CoPtCrO magnetic layer has been proposed to enhance the segregated grains with an oxygen-rich grain boundary structure. The authors have already reported that the addition of SiO/sub 2/ to the CoPtCr recording layer is very effective in realizing a well isolated grain structure together with large K/sub u/ value, and also excellent recording performance and thermal stability. In this study, the microstructure, magnetic properties, and recording performance of the CoPtCr-SiO/sub 2/ perpendicular media are discussed in relation to the realization of high density recording media.