CoPt/Ag(Cu) nanocomposite films for ultra-high density perpendicular magnetic recording media

CoPt/Ag nanocomposite films have been prepared by magnetron sputtering and subsequent annealing. The effect of Ag on the structure and magnetic properties of CoPt/Ag nanocomposite films was investigated. It was found that the existence of the Ag plays a dominant role in inducing the (001) texture of the film. (001) textured CoPt/Ag nanocomposite films with a large perpendicular coercivity in the range of 5.6–7.0 kOe have been achieved after annealing at 600 °C. The Cu additive is very effective to reduce the ordering temperature in CoPtAg system. With Cu additive, the CoPtCuAg films start ordering at a lower annealing temperature of 450 °C, which is lower by 150 °C than the pure CoPtAg films.