Multilayer films of CoCrTa for perpendicular recording media

Multilayer structures of alternate magnetic and non-magnetic CoCrTa alloys have been prepared in which the magnetic properties can be widely varied by changing the magnetic layer and interlayer thicknesses. In this way, one example has shown that enhanced perpendicular anisotropy can be achieved as demonstrated by an increase in perpendicular coercivity Hc(x) and a decrease in longitudinal coercivity Hc(&dlor.). This condition is desirable for application in perpendicular recording media. In addition, a second example has shown that by using much thinner layers (15 nm) it is possible to produce a structure in which the magnetization is longitudinal with a very low coercivity of 1.5 Oe. Such soft magnetic films with high Ms and low Hc(&dlor.) can be used as underlayers for perpendicular recording media in order to enhance the efficiency of pole heads. © 1986 IEEE