HCP structured CoCrMn underlayer for Co-based longitudinal magnetic recording media

Nonmagnetic hcp CoCrMn alloy was investigated with a view of new underlayer for CoCrPt longitudinal magnetic recording media. Magnetic properties and crystallographic textures of CoCrPt/CoCrMn thin films were compared with those of CoCrPt/Cr thin films. Only Co (10.0) and (11.0) peaks were observed in CoCrPt/CoCrMn thin films deposited on glass substrates without any bcc-type underlayer. CoCrPt/CoCrMn thin films showed higher coercivity and narrower grain size distribution than CoCrPt/Cr thin films prepared under same conditions. CoCrPt/CoCrMn thin films showed better lattice matching and grain-to-grain growth than CoCrPt/Cr thin films and no transition layer between a magnetic layer and an underlayer.