We demonstrate that periodic magnetic nanostructures can be fabricated by depositing perpendicular magnetic films on self-assembled surfaces by ion beam bombardment. Similar stripe domain patterns and reduced coercivity are observed for the as-deposited sample as compared with those for a reference sample with unbombarded substrate. Further processing steps such as etching and polishing will be needed to isolate the magnetic elements from each other, in order to make ultrahigh density magnetic storage media.

The correlation of elemental chemistry with the particular long-range order in question cannot be obtained by common conventional characterization techniques. Here we report a study of determining the elemental concentrations of the textured Bragg diffraction peak and the averaged local atomic environment of sputtered CoCrPt films using anomalous x-ray scattering and extended x-ray absorption fine structures. The elemental compositions of the textured peak in these polycrystalline nanostructured films differed from the average global film composition. The higher Cr concentration in the textured peak indicated that a significant amount of Cr did not segregate towards the grain boundaries as a result of the low sputtering temperature and pressure used. The structural observations were consistent with the magnetic results.

Role of Ag seed layer for CoCrPt/Ti perpendicular recording media J. Appl. Phys. 93, 7741 (2003); 10.1063/1.1540153Long-range order and short-range order study on CoCrPt/Ti films by synchrotron x-ray scattering and extended x-ray absorption fine structure spectroscopyThe structure and interface of Co 74 Cr 16 Pt 10 ͑40 nm thick͒/Ti ͑10 nm thick͒ films for perpendicular magnetic recording were studied using x-ray scattering and transmission electron microscopy. Improved out-of-plane coercivity and squareness resulted from the combined effects of higher crystallinity and better texture of the CoCrPt ͑002͒ film, and increased interface roughness. The relationship of sputtering pressure to the structural effects is discussed.

FeCoC granular thin films are prepared and studied as the soft magnetic layer in order to obtain a low noise double-layered perpendicular recording medium. FeCoC granular soft magnetic underlayer prepared by cosputtering at room temperature showed good soft magnetic properties; with coercivity of a few oersteds and Bs of 1.4–1.7 T. Using a spin-stand and a ring-type head, sharper transitions can be obtained in the [Co/Pd]n media with an FeCoC soft underlayer at higher recording density compared to media without a soft magnetic layer. No spike noise was observed in the read back signals for [Co/Pd]n media with an FeCoC granular film as the soft magnetic underlayer. Preparing the [FeCo/C]n laminated films by alternately sputtering FeCo and C layers allows the properties of the films to be flexibly adjusted. A Bs of 1.9 T with relative permeability of 100–400 and coercivity lower than 40 Oe can be obtained with laminated [FeCo/C]n (210 nm) multilayer thin films.