Micromagnetic domain observations of Co-Cr films by neutron scattering

Magnetic microstructures revealed by neutron small angle scattering are correlated with the compositional separation (CS) in sputtered Co-22at%Cr thin films for high density magnetic recording. The CS is confirmed to be strongest for deposition temperatures from 150/spl deg/C to 400/spl deg/C, using nuclear magnetic resonance. The finest magnetic particles, less than 10 nm in diameter, are detected in a film deposited at 200/spl deg/C, in good agreement with the smallest features observed in the etched microstructure by transmission electron microscopy. This indicates that CS produces magnetic grains much smaller than the crystal grains which can, therefore, be applied to synthesize Co-Cr thin film media for ultra high density magnetic recording.<
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