Nanostructured L1<SUB>0</SUB> Fe-Pt Based Thin Films for Perpendicular Magnetic Recording

Abstract

Aiming at development of ultra-high density magnetic recording media, nanostructured Fe-Pt perpendicular recording media were tailored. In order to obtain a crystal orientation of Fe-Pt(001) for a double-layered perpendicular medium with a soft-magnetic underlayer, a heteroepitaxial layer configuration was applied. A high pressure sputter-deposition method was effective for lowering the fct-ordering temperature of the L1 0 crystal structure. Microstructures of the media were constructed by two kinds of methods, i.e. inducing crystal defects and forming composite films with oxides. The highest SN ratio was obtained by a wall pinning type medium with the induced crystal defects. Design and possibility of the Fe-Pt(001) media were discussed.