Manipulate the magnetic properties of AlNiCo films by tuning non-magnetic phase structures

•The magnetic properties of the AlNiCo/Ta bilayer (Hc = 663 Oe, Mr = 3671 Oe) meet the performance requirements of magnetic code disk material in magnetic encoders.•The non-magnetic phase formed by the diffusion of Ta and Ti atoms has a pinning effect on the magnetic domain walls leading to an increase in the coercivity of the film.•The effects of different non-magnetic phases on the overall magnetic moments of the AlNiCo films are different, so the remanence values of AlNiCo films are also different.