Controlling the preferred orientation in granular CoCrPt:C thin films for high-areal density magnetic recording

Magnetic and structural properties of hcp-(CoCrPt):C granular thin films for potential applications in high areal density recording media have been investigated. CrX (X=I, Ru, Mn) underlayers with and without NiAl seedlayer has been applied to improve the in-plane preferred orientation of the Co alloy grains. The addition of Ru or Mn to the Cr underlayer promotes Co (11.0) in-plane orientation; using a NiAl seedlayer promotes Co (10.0). For films with CrMn underlayer and NiAl seedlayer, H/sub c/ reaches 3360 Oe and M/sub r/t decreases to 0.33 memu/cm/sup 2/. Thermal stability and reversal properties have been studied by moment-decay measurements. These granular films possess good in-plane preferred orientation of the magnetic moment and c-axis, which is desirable for high areal density longitudinal recording.