Magnetic recording medium

Information

  • Patent Grant
  • 5736262
  • Patent Number
    5,736,262
  • Date Filed
    Tuesday, December 5, 1995
    28 years ago
  • Date Issued
    Tuesday, April 7, 1998
    26 years ago
Abstract
A magnetic recording medium comprising: a non-magnetic substrate;a Co-based alloy magnetic layer (ML); and a non-magnetic Cr-based underlayer position between said magnetic layer and said substrate, compatibly provided with a high S/N and a high coercive force, and an intermediate layer (IL), formed of a Co-based alloy having the hcp structure, which is positioned between the magnetic layer and the non-magnetic underlayer, said intermediate layer having a ratio R=(BsIL*IL)/(BsML*ML), which is the product (BsIL*IL) of the saturation magnetic flux density (BsIL) of the Co-based alloy which constitutes said intermediate layer and the thickness (tIL) of the intermediate layer film to the product (BsML*ML) of the saturation magnetic flux density (BsML) of the Co-based alloy which constitutes said magnetic layer and the magnetic layer film thickness (tML) at 0.2 or less.
Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a magnetic recording medium and more specifically, to a longitudinal magnetic recording medium useful for magnetic data storage such as in hard discs, floppy disks and magnetic tapes.
2. Description of the Background
In recent years, the applicability of magnetic storage in the form of hard discs, floppy disks or magnetic tapes has been significantly expanded, and with its increasing importance, a marked increase in recording density of magnetic recording media has been reached which increases the magnetic storage capacity.
However, with respect to such magnetic recording media, there is till a demand to achieve further increases in recording density and for this reason, there is a need to achieve a higher coercive force (Hc) in the magnetic recording layer and a high signal-to-noise ratio (S/N).
One approach has been to add Pt to magnetic materials for the purpose of increasing coercive force. This technique is known to provide a high coercive force exceeding 2000 Oe. For example, Pt is added to Co-based materials and CoCrTa-based materials as disclosed in Published Unexamined Japanese Patent Application No. S59-88806 and U.S. Pat. No. 5,024,903, respectively.
However, while the addition of Pt is effective in raising the coercive force of the recording medium, on the other hand, it increases the medium noise. With a magnetic recording medium having a CoPt based magnetic layer formed thereon, the medium noise becomes higher even in comparison to a magnetic recording medium having a magnetic layer of CoCrTa having a relatively weak coercive force formed thereon. On the other hand, a method for reducing the medium noise is known which uses the alternate stacking of multiple magnetic layers and non-magnetic layers (Published Unexamined Japanese Patent Application No. H6-176341 and others). However, this method tends to decrease the coercive force of the recording medium because the magnetic layers are divided. Thus, no effective method has thus far been developed to achieve a magnetic recording medium which has both a higher coercive force and a lower medium noise. A need continues to exist for such a magnetic recording medium.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, one object of the present invention is to provide a magnetic recording medium which enables the coercive force to be enhanced without a decrease in signal-to-noise ratio (s/N).
Briefly, this object and other objects of the present invention as hereinafter will become more readily apparent can be attained by a magnetic recording medium comprising a non-magnetic substrate; a Co-based alloy magnetic layer (ML); a non-magnetic Cr-based underlayer positioned between said magnetic layer and said substrate; and an intermediate layer (IL) formed of a Co-based alloy having the hexagonal closest packed (hcp) structure positioned between the magnetic layer and the non-magnetic underlayer, wherein the intermediate layer has a ratio R=(BsIL*tIL)/(BsML*tML), which is the ratio of the product (BsIL*tIL) of the saturation magnetic flux density (BsIL) of the Co-based alloy, which constitutes the intermediate layer, and the intermediate layer film thickness (tIL) to the product (BsML*tML) of the saturation magnetic flux density (BsML) of the Co-based alloy, which constitutes the magnetic layer, and the magnetic layer film thickness (tML), is 0.2 or less.





BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The accompanying drawings illustrate the invention. In such drawings:
FIG. 1 is a graph which shows the relationship of the product Bs*t of the saturation magnetic flux density and the film thickness of the coercive force Hc, obtained in Embodiments 1-5 and Comparative Examples 1-4;
FIG. 2 is a graph which shows the relationship of the product Bs*t of the saturation magnetic flux density and the film thickness to the coercive force Hc, obtained in Embodiments 6-19 and Comparative Examples 5-7;
FIG. 3 is a graph which shows the relationship of the readback output and the S/N, obtained in Embodiments 11-14 and Comparative Examples 8-11;
FIG. 4 is a graph which shows the relationship of the readback output and the half-width PW50 of an isolated readback waveform, obtained in Embodiments 11-14 and Comparative Examples 8-11;
FIG. 5 is a graph which shows the relationship of the Cr content of the CoCr intermediate layer to the coercive force Hc, obtained in Embodiments 24-28 and Comparative Examples 9-10;
FIG. 6 is a graph which shows the relationship of the Cr content of the CoCr intermediate layer to the product Bs*t of the saturation magnetic flux density and the film thickness, obtained in Embodiments 24-28 and Comparative Examples 9-10;
FIG. 7 is a graph which shows the relationship of the product Bs*t of the saturation magnetic flux density and the film thickness to the coercive force Hc, obtained in Embodiments 29-34 and Comparative Examples 11-15;
FIG. 8 is a graph which shows the relationship of the product Bs*t of the saturation magnetic flux density and the film thickness to the coercive force Hc, obtained in Embodiments 35-37 and Comparative Examples 16-18;
FIG. 9 is a graph which shows the relationship of the product Bs*t of the saturation magnetic flux density and the film thickness to the coercive force Hc, obtained in Embodiments 38-41 and Comparative Examples 19-22;
FIG. 10 is a graph which shows the relationship of the thickness of the CoCr intermediate layer to the coercive force Hc, obtained in Embodiments 42-45 and Comparative Example 23; and
FIG. 11 is a graph which shows the relationship of the thickness of the Cr underlayer to the coercive force Hc, obtained in Embodiments 46-49 and Comparative Examples 24-26.





DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
In the present invention, the non-magnetic substrate is usually an aluminum alloy substrate which is provided with a Ni--P layer thereon by electroless plating. Alternatively, a glass substrate can be employed, but a ceramic substrate, a carbon substrate, a Si substrate, various resin substrates and all other non-magnetic substrates can also possibly be used.
In addition to Cr, the non-magnetic Cr-based underlayer formed on the non-magnetic substrate may contain one or more additional elements including Si, Ti, V, Mo, W and the like in a quantity of 30 at. % or less. The film thickness of this non-magnetic underlayer is usually 100-2000 .ANG., preferably 200-2000 .ANG.. In the event the thickness of the underlayer is less than 100 .ANG., the recording medium exhibits a great decrease in coercive force.
The Co-based alloy intermediate layer formed on the underlayer has the hcp crystal structure, and has the feature of a non-magnetic or feeble magnetic intermediate layer in which the ratio (R) of the product (BsIL*tIL) of the saturation magnetic flux density (BsIL) of the Co-based alloy, which constitutes the intermediate layer, and the intermediate layer film thickness (tIL) to the product (BsML*tML) of the saturation magnetic flux density (BsML) of the Co-based alloy, which constitutes the magnetic layer, and the magnetic layer film thickness (tML) is 0.2 or less. That is, the following equation should be satisfied:
R=(BsML*tIL)/(BsIL*tIL)<=0.2 (I)
The product Bs*t of the saturation magnetic flux density (Bs) and the film thickness (t) denotes the saturation magnetizing quantity of a magnetic layer per unit area. The value of Bs*t of the intermediate layer according to the present invention (BsIL*tIL) should be 20% or less, preferably 10% or less, more preferably 0 of the value of Bs*t of the Co-based alloy magnetic layer (BsML*tML). If the ratio (R) exceeds 0.2, deterioration of magnetic characteristics, such as a decrease in coercive force occurs.
The provision of the intermediate layer in the structure of the present recording medium is directed to improving the characteristics of the initial growth layer of the Co-based alloy magnetic layer and accordingly the intermediate layer itself is preferably not magnetic. By setting the saturation magnetic flux density of the intermediate layer to such a small value as to satisfy the Eq. (I), above all 0 Gauss (R=0), the magnetic influence of the intermediate layer on the magnetic recording medium can be completely eliminated.
Suitable materials for the Co-based intermediate layer in the present invention includes alloys of at least one element selected from the group of Cr, Ta, Ti, W, V, Mo and Si with Co. The content of these elements M in the intermediate layer material may be appropriately chosen and is not restricted at all, but normally is on the order of 20-50 at. %. In addition, a part of the Co content can be another magnetic element such as Ni. The intermediate layer is preferably non-magnetic. For example, for a Co--Cr intermediate layer, preferably a zero saturation magnetic flux density is implemented. It has the hcp crystal structure and has a Cr content of 34-45 at. %.
Unless the performance characteristics of the intermediate layer are adversely affected, a several % or less amount of other elements such as Ge, Cu, Zn, nitrogen, oxygen and hydrogen, may also be present in the alloy of the intermediate layer.
Furthermore, in order to adjust the lattice constant with that of Co-based alloy magnetic layer, other elements can be included in the intermediate layer.
Incidentally, the film thickness of such an intermediate layer is 10-1000 .ANG., preferably 50-500 .ANG..
Suitable Co-based alloys of the Co-based alloy magnetic layer which is formed on the intermediate layer include CoCr, CoNiCr, CoPt and the like alloys. Further, these alloys may contain such elements as Ni, Cr, Pt, Ta and B. Preferred Co-based alloys of the Co-based alloy magnetic layer are CoCrTa alloy, CoNiCrBTa alloy and CoPtCrTa alloy. The magnetic layer is not especially limited in thickness, but normally is of a thickness of 100-800 .ANG..
The magnetic recording medium of the present invention is normally produced by successively forming the underlayer, the intermediate layer and the magnetic layer on the non-magnetic substrate. Preferably, the successive stacking of the layers and layer deposition are conducted without exposure of the layers to the air by use of a vacuum throughout the whole process.
Incidentally, in order to conduct film deposition, either a DC or RF magnetron sputtering process may be employed. The sputter conditions in film deposition are not especially restricted, and the bias voltage, substrate temperature, sputter gas pressure, background pressure and the like are appropriately determined by the selection of the sputter materials. Normally, at a bias voltage (absolute value) of 50-500V for film deposition, the substrate temperature should range from room temperature to 300.degree. C., the sputter gas pressure should range from 1.times.10.sup.-3 to 20.times.10.sup.-3 Torr and the background pressure should be 1.times.10.sup.-6 Torr.
The magnetic recording medium of the present invention may have a stacked structure having similar intermediate and magnetic layers further provided on the Co-based alloy magnetic layer, as long as the requirement for the above combination of the intermediate and Co-based alloy magnetic layer is satisfied.
That is, a feature of the magnetic recording medium of the present invention is the positioning of the Co-based alloy non-magnetic (or feebly magnetic) intermediate layer between the top magnetic layer or the recording layer and the Cr-based underlayer. For example, an embodiment of the magnetic recording medium is one in which a metal coat layer is provided between the non-magnetic substrate and the underlayer, and where the magnetic layer comprises a stacked structure of two or more Co-based alloy layers, wherein a non-magnetic intermediate layer is provided and stacked on the magnetic layer, or wherein a carbonaceous protection layer and/or lubricating layer, made of the usual lubricant, or like layer is formed on the magnetic layer.
An important feature of the invention is that by using a non-magnetic or feebly magnetic intermediate Co-based alloy layer having the hcp structure under the magnetic layer, the magnetic influence attributable to the intermediate layer is completely eliminated or markedly minimized. Moreover, the characteristics of the initial growth of the Co-based alloy magnetic layer, as the recording layer, can be effectively improved, thereby greatly improving the coercive force and recording performance of the recording medium.
Having generally described this invention, a further understanding can be obtained by reference to certain specific examples which are provided herein for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to be limiting unless otherwise specified.
In the present invention, the values of remanence magnetic flux density (Br), saturation magnetic flux density (Bs) and Coercive force (Hc) were calculated on the basis of an MH loop (hysteresis loop) measured with a VSM (Vibration Sample "Magnetometer" BSM-3S made by Toei Kogyo K.K.).
The conditions for measurement are as follows:
Maximum applied magnetic field 5000 (Oe)
Sample size (length.times.width)
8 mm.times.8 mm
Analysis of the composition of the magnetic layers was carried out with fluorescent x-ray analysis.
As shown in Tables 1-1 and 1-2 infra, the embodiments and Comparative Examples were tested under various conditions.
Embodiments 1-19 and Comparative Examples 1-4
�Embodiments 1-5!
On the surface of an aluminum alloy disk substrate having a 25 mm inside diameter and a 95 mm outside diameter, a non-magnetic Ni--P layer was formed at a thickness of 25 .mu.m by electroless plating. The surface was finished to an Ra (center line average roughness) of 20-30 .ANG. by mirror surface grinding.
After mounting this substrate in a RF (13.56 MHz) magnetron sputtering system and evacuating the chamber to 3.times.10.sup.-6 Torr, the substrate temperature was elevated up to 250.degree. C. and a Cr underlayer having a thickness of approximately 600 .ANG. was formed, while applying a bias voltage of DC-100V to the substrate under an argon partial pressure of 5.times.10.sup.-3 Torr.
Then, by forming a magnetic film comprising 80 at. % of Co, 14 at. % of Cr and 6 at. % of Ta, having a thickness of 150-400 .ANG. after forming a CoCr film comprising 63 at. % of Co and 37 at. % of Cr as the intermediate layer at a thickness of 100 .ANG., samples exhibiting a Br*t (the product of remanence magnetic flux density and film thickness), ranging from 60 to 180 gauss*.mu.m were prepared (Embodiments 1-5).
Incidentally, a CoCr film comprising 63 at. % of Co and 37 at. % of Cr as the intermediate layer, is a non-magnetic substance which exhibits a Bs value of 0 Gauss and has the hcp structure.
The relationship between Bs*t and Hc of the obtained samples is shown in FIG. 1.
�Embodiments 6-9!
Except for using a CoCr film comprising 62 at. % of Co, 37 at. % of Cr and 1 at. % of Ta as the intermediate layer, samples were prepared in the same manner as described for Embodiments 1-5.
The relationship between Bs*t and Hc of the obtained samples is shown in FIG. 2.
�Embodiments 10-14!
Except for using a CoCr film comprising 60.5 at. % of Co, 36 at. % of Cr and 3.5 at. % of Ti as the intermediate layer, samples were prepared in the same manner as described for Embodiments 1-5.
The relationship between Bs*t and Hc of the obtained samples is shown in FIG. 2.
�Embodiments 15-19!
Except for using a CoCr film comprising 59.5 at. % of Co, 36 at. % of Cr and 4.5 at. % of V as the intermediate layer, samples were prepared in the same manner as described for Embodiments 1-5.
The relationship between Bs*t and Hc of the obtained samples is shown in FIG. 2.
�Comparative Examples 1-4!
Except for film deposition without having a CoCr intermediate layer provided, samples were prepared under conditions similar to those of Embodiments 1-5. The relationship between Bs*t and Hc of the obtained samples is shown in FIG. 1.
As can be clearly observed from the data in Table 1-1 and FIGS. 1 and 2, Hc rises by 400-800 Oe because of the formation of the Co-based alloy intermediate layer.
Embodiments 20-23 and Comparative Examples 5-8.
The magnetic recording media of these embodiments were prepared in the same manner as described in Embodiments 1-5 and Comparative Examples 1-4 above. Further, a 150 .ANG. thick C (carbon) protection film was formed on each magnetic layer by the sputtering process and a fluoride lubricant layer was applied thereon in each case at a thickness of 30 .ANG.. For each of the magnetic recording media obtained, recording performance was measured.
Incidentally, measurements of recording performance were carried out using an MR (magnetoresistive) head for hard disk. The specifications and measurement conditions of the head which was used are shown as follows:
______________________________________Head flying height 750 .ANG.Recording gap length 0.78 .mu.mPlayback shield width 0.22 .mu.mPlayback track width 4.21 .mu.mDisk rotation number 3,600 rpmMeasured diameter 23 mmRecord frequency 20.1 MHz______________________________________
Table 2 infra shows the measured results of recording performance. FIGS. 3 and 4 show the relationship of the readback output to the S/N of magnetic recording media and that of the readback output and the half-width (PW50) of isolated readback waveforms, respectively.
From Table 2 and FIGS. 3 and 4, it is found that a magnetic recording medium provided with a CoCr intermediate layer is superior with respect to S/N and resolving power in comparison to other intermediate layer alloys.
Embodiments 24-28 and Comparative Examples 9-10
�Embodiments 24-28!
Except for varying the Cr content of the CoCr intermediate layer from approximately 29 at. % to 44 at. %, samples were prepared in the same manner as described in Embodiments 1-5.
�Comparative Example 9!
Except for setting the Cr content of the CoCr intermediate layer to 24 at. %, samples were prepared in the same manner as described in Embodiments 1-5.
�Comparative Example 10!
Except for setting the Cr content of the CoCr intermediate layer to 24 at. %, samples were prepared in the same manner as described in Embodiments 1-5.
Incidentally, with all these examples, except for Comparative Example 10, any Co-based alloy intermediate layer used has the hcp structure and the Bs (ML) of Co(80)Cr(14)Ta(6) was 5,500 (Gauss).
Regarding the samples obtained in Embodiments 24-28 and comparative Examples 9 and 10, the relationship of the Cr content of the CoCr intermediate layer to the coercive force Hc of the layer and the relationship of the Cr content of the CoCr intermediate layer to the product Bs*t of its saturation magnetic flux density and its film thickness, are shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, respectively.
As clearly can be observed from Table 1 and FIGS. 5 and 6, a marked increase in coercive force Hc is obtained for the hcp structure and for the range of Bs*t (ML)/Bs*t (IL) less than 0.200, in particular less than 0.015.
In addition, with CoCr alloys, this condition corresponds to the range of Cr content from 27 to 52 at. % and, therefore, it is to be understood that a marked effect is obtained especially in the range of a Cr content from 34 to 47 at. %.
Note that only in Comparative Example 6, the CoCr intermediate layer has no hcp structure. Such a structure is evidently important in the CoCr intermediate layer alloy of the present invention.
Furthermore, as is evident from Table 1-1 and considering that the CoCr intermediate layer is non-magnetic (Bs=0), especially in Embodiments 27 and 28 which exhibit a high coercive force, it is desired that the intermediate layer be non-magnetic.
Embodiments 29-34 and Comparative Examples 11-5
Changing the CoCrPt magnetic layer for a CoCrPt magnetic layer comprising 70 at. % of Co, 21 at. % of Cr and 9 at. % of Pt and using the preparative conditions of Embodiments 1-5, samples of Embodiments 29-34 were prepared under similar conditions.
Except for the film deposition step without having the CoCr intermediate layer provided, samples were prepared under exactly the same conditions as described above (Comparative Examples 11-15).
The composition, coercive force and preparative conditions of each sample and the relationship of the coercive force Hc to Bs*t are shown in Table 1 and FIG. 7, respectively.
From Table 1-1 and FIG. 7, it is evident that the effect attributable to the Co-based alloy intermediate layer is obtained even if the magnetic layer does not contain Ta.
Embodiments 35-37 and Comparative Examples 16-18.
Upon exchanging the RF sputtering process with the DC sputtering process and the CoCrTa magnetic layer with a CoNiCrBTa magnetic layer comprising 56.5 at. % of Co, 30 at. % o Ni, 7.5 at. % of Cr, 3 at. % of B and 3 at. % of Ta and further modifying the bias voltage from -100V to -500V, and the thickness of the CoCr intermediate layer from 100 .ANG. to 50 .ANG. in the preparative conditions of Embodiments 1-5, samples of Embodiments 35-37 were prepared in a similar fashion.
Except for film deposition without having the CoCr intermediate layer provided, samples were prepared under exactly the same conditions as described above (Comparative Examples 16-18).
The composition, coercive force and preparative conditions of each sample and the relationship of the coercive force HC to Bs*t are shown in Table 1-2 and FIG. 8, respectively.
From Table 1-2 and FIG. 8, it is evident that the effect attributable to the Co-based alloy intermediate layer is obtained even if the sputtering process, bias voltage and magnetic layer are modified in type.
Embodiments 38-41 and Comparative Examples 19-22.
Upon exchanging the RF sputtering process with the DC sputtering process and the CoCrTa magnetic layer with a CoCrPtTa magnetic layer comprising 80 at. % of Co, 12 at. % of Cr, 6 at. % of Pt and 2 at. % of Ta and further modifying the bias voltage from -100V to -300V, the thickness of the Cr underlayer from 600 .ANG. to 850 .ANG. and the thickness of the CoCr intermediate layer from 100 .ANG. to 170 .ANG. in the preparative conditions of Embodiments 1-5, samples of Embodiments 38-41 were prepared in a similar fashion.
Except for film deposition without having the CoCr intermediate layer provided, samples were prepared under exactly the same conditions as described above (Comparative Examples 19-22).
The composition, characteristics and preparative conditions of each sample and the relationship of the coercive force Hc to Bs*t of each magnetic recording medium obtained are shown in Table 1-2 and FIG. 9, respectively.
From Table 1-2 and FIG. 9, it is evident that the effect attributable to the present invention is obtained also in a Co-based alloy magnetic layer containing Pt.
Embodiments 42-45 and Comparative Example 23.
Upon exchanging the magnetic layer with a 250 .ANG. thick magnetic layer comprising 78 at. % of Co, 17 at. % of Cr and 5 at. % of Ta in the preparative conditions of Embodiments 1-5, the samples of (Embodiments 42-45) of the intermediate layer having a thickness varying from 50 to 500 .ANG. were prepared in a similar fashion.
Except for film deposition without having the CoCr intermediate layer provided, samples were prepared under exactly the same conditions as described above (Comparative Example 23).
The composition, characteristics and preparative conditions of each sample and the relationship of the coercive force Hc to Bs*t of each magnetic recording medium obtained are shown in Table 1-2 and FIG. 10, respectively.
From Table 1-2 and FIG. 10, it can be understood that the coercive force tends to decrease with increasing thickness of the intermediate layer and it is considered appropriate that the thickness of the intermediate layer be 500 .ANG. or less.
Embodiments 46-49 and Comparative Examples 24-26.
Setting the thickness of the CoCr intermediate layer to 100 .ANG. in the preparative conditions of Embodiments 42-45, samples of (Embodiments 46-49), with the thickness of the Cr underlayer varying from 100 to 600 .ANG., were prepared in a similar fashion.
Except for film deposition without having the CoCr intermediate layer provided, samples were prepared under exactly the same conditions as described above (Comparative Examples 24-26).
The composition, characteristics and preparative conditions of each sample and the relationship of the coercive force Hc to Bs*t of each magnetic recording medium obtained are shown in Table 1-2 and FIG. 11, respectively,
From Table 1-2 and FIG. 11, it can be understood that the coercive force tends to decrease with increasing thickness of the intermediate layer and it is believed appropriate that the thickness of the intermediate layer is 1000 .ANG. or less.
As described above, according to the present invention, a magnetic recording medium exhibiting a markedly high coercive force and excellent recording performance in comparison to conventional magnetic recording media., and highly suitable for a high density recording is provided.
TABLE 1-1__________________________________________________________________________ Thick- ness of Br .multidot. t Bs .multidot. t Bs .multidot. t Bs .multidot. t Cr Thick- (ML) (ML) Thick- (IL) (ML) Under ness (G .multidot. (G .multidot. Intermediate ness (G .multidot. /Bs .multidot. t H c Sputter Bias layerMagnetic Layer (ML) (.ANG.) .mu.m) .mu.m) Layer (IL) (.ANG.) .mu.m) (IL) (Oe) Method V (.ANG.)__________________________________________________________________________EX 1 Co(80)Cr(14)Ta(6) 150 63 71 Co(63)Cr(37) 100 0 0 2100 HF -100 600EX 2 Co(80)Cr(14)Ta(6) 230 101 112 Co(63)Cr(37) 100 0 0 2375 HF -100 600EX 3 Co(80)Cr(14)Ta(6) 250 107 118 Co(63)Cr(37) 100 0 0 2475 HF -100 600EX 4 Co(80)Cr(14)Ta(6) 300 141 157 Co(63)Cr(37) 100 0 0 2338 HF -100 600EX 5 C6(80)Cr(14)Ta(6) 400 172 179 Co(63)Cr(37) 100 0 0 2175 HF -100 600EX 6 Co(80)Cr(14)Ta(6) 300 115 134 Co(62)Cr(37)Ta(1) 100 0 0 2530 HF -100 600EX 7 Co(8O)Cr(14)Ta(6) 250 89 107 Co(62)Cr(37)Ta(1) 100 0 0 2560 HF -100 600EX 8 Co(8O)Cr(14)Ta(6) 400 150 172 Co(62)Cr(37)Ta(1) 100 0 0 2440 HF -100 600EX 9 Co(80)Cr(14)Ta(6) 200 71 88 Co(62)Cr(37)Ta(1) 100 0 0 2510 HF -100 600EX 10 Co(80)Cr(14)Ta(6) 300 102 124 Co(60.5)Cr(36)Ti(3.5) 100 0 0 2570 HF -100 600EX 11 Co(80)Cr(14)Ta(6) 400 147 184 Co(60.5)Cr(36)Ti(3.5) 100 0 0 2320 HF -100 600EX 12 Co(80)Cr(14)Ta(6) 350 126 158 Co(60.5)Cr(36)Ti(3.5) 100 0 0 2520 HF -100 600EX 13 Co(80)Cr(14)Ta(6) 250 88 113 Co(60.5)Cr(36)Ti(3.5) 100 0 0 2560 HF -100 600EX 14 Co(80)Cr(14)Ta(6) 200 74 94 Co(60.5)Cr(36)Ti(3.5) 100 0 0 2510 HF -100 600EX 15 Co(80)Cr(14)Ta(6) 300 108 135 Co(59.5)Cr(36)V(4.5) 100 0 0 2530 HF -100 600EX 16 Co(80)Cr(14)Ta(6) 400 161 192 Co(59.5)Cr(36)V(4.5) 100 0 0 2350 HF -100 600EX 17 Co(80)Cr(14)Ta(6) 350 120 145 Co(59.5)Cr(36)V(4.5) 100 0 0 2470 HF -100 600EX 18 Co(80)Cr(14)Ta(6) 250 94 112 Co(59.5)Cr(36)V(4.5) 100 0 0 2440 HF -100 600EX 19 Co(80)Cr(14)Ta(6) 200 73 87 Co(59.5)Cr(36)V(4.5) 100 0 0 2420 HF -100 600CEX 1 Co(80)Cr(14)Ta(6) 150 62 68 0 1725 HF -100 600CEX 2 Co(80)Cr(14)Ta(6) 200 79 84 0 1850 HF -100 600CEX 3 Co(80)Cr(14)Ta(6) 260 108 120 0 1950 HF -100 600CEX 4 Co(80)Cr(14)Ta(6) 400 152 177 0 1663 HF -100 600EX 24 Co(8O)Cr(14)Ta(6) 260 129 147 Co(71)Cr(29) 100 24 0.168 2050 HF -100 600EX 25 Co(80)Cr(14)Ta(6) 260 112 124 Co(67)Cr(33) 100 6 0.042 2230 HF -100 600EX 26 Co(80)Cr(14)Ta(6) 260 125 143 Co(65)Cr(35) 100 2 0.014 2370 HF -100 600EX 27 Co(80)Cr(14)Ta(6) 260 112 130 Co(63)Cr(37) 100 0 0 2380 HF -100 600EX 28 Co(80)Cr(14)Ta(6) 260 100 130 Co(56)Cr(44) 100 0 0 2340 HF -100 600CEX 9 Co(80)Cr(14)Ta(6) 260 120 133 Co(76)Cr(24) 100 31 0.217 1690 HF -100 600CEX 10 Co(80)Cr(14)Ta(6) 260 98 138 Co(46)Cr(54) 100 0 0 1880 HF -100 600EX 29 Co(70)Cr(21)Pt(9) 400 172 207 Co(63)Cr(37) 100 0 0 2410 HF -100 600EX 30 Co(70)Cr(21)Pt(9) 300 136 162 Co(63)Cr(37) 100 0 0 2640 HF -100 600EX 31 Co(70)Cr(21)Pt(9) 350 155 194 Co(63)Cr(37) 100 0 0 2500 HF -100 600EX 32 Co(70)Cr(21)Pt(9) 250 117 139 Co(63)Cr(37) 100 0 0 2730 HF -100 600EX 33 Co(70)Cr(21)Pt(9) 160 81 95 Co(63)Cr(37) 100 0 0 2570 HF -100 600EX 34 Co(70)Cr(21)Pt(9) 225 98 113 Co(63)Cr(37) 100 0 0 2730 HF -100 600CEX 11 Co(70)Cr(21)Pt(9) 200 75 90 0 2120 HF -100 600CEX 12 Co(70)Cr(21)Pt(9) 250 107 126 0 2180 HF -100 600CEX 13 Co(70)Cr(21)Pt(9) 350 143 181 0 2180 HF -100 600CEX 14 Co(70)Cr(21)Pt(9) 400 159 199 0 2110 HF -100 600CEX 15 Co(70)Cr(21)Pt(9) 300 126 156 0 2160 HF -100 600__________________________________________________________________________
TABLE 1-2__________________________________________________________________________ Thick- ness of Br.multidot. t Bs .multidot. t Bs .multidot. t Bs .multidot. t Cr Thick- (ML) (ML) Thick- (IL) (ML) Under ness (G .multidot. (G .multidot. Intermediate ness (G .multidot. /Bs .multidot. t H c Sputter Bias layerMagnetic Layer (ML) (.ANG.) .mu.m) .mu.m) Layer (IL) (.ANG.) .mu.m) (IL) (Oe) Method V (.ANG.)__________________________________________________________________________EX 35 Co(56.5)Ni(30)Cr(7.5)B(3)Ta(3) 200 113 136 Co(63)Cr(37) 50 0 0 2738 DC -500 600EX 36 Co(56.5)Ni(30)Cr(7.5)B(3)Ta(3) 300 180 205 Co(63)Cr(37) 50 0 0 2525 DC -500 600EX 37 Co(56.5)Ni(30)Cr(7.5)B(3)Ta(3) 500 300 345 Co(63)Cr(37) 50 0 0 2138 DC -500 600CEX 16 Co(56.5)Ni(30)Cr(7.5)B(3)Ta(3) 200 112 130 0 2288 DC -500 600CEX 17 Co(56.5)Ni(30)Cr(7.5)B(3)Ta(3) 300 186 216 0 2238 DC -500 600CEX 18 Co(56.5)Ni(30)Cr(7.5)B(3)Ta(3) 500 294 313 0 1875 DC -500 600EX 38 Co(80)Cr(12)Pt(6)Ta(2) 200 121 127 Co(63)Cr(37) 170 0 0 3207 DC -300 850EX 39 Co(80)Cr(12)Pt(6)Ta(2) 330 206 217 Co(63)Cr(37) 170 0 0 2976 DC -300 850EX 40 Co(80)Cr(12)Pt(6)Ta(2) 460 310 326 Co(63)Cr(37) 170 0 0 2637 DC -300 850EX 41 Co(80)Cr(12)Pt(6)Ta(2) 710 516 543 Co(63)Cr(37) 170 0 0 2230 DC -300 850CEX 19 Co(80)Cr(i2)Pt(6)Ta(2) 200 108 120 0 2469 DC -300 850CEX 20 Co(80)Cr(12)Pt(6)Ta(2) 330 214 238 0 2411 DC -300 850CEX 21 Co(80)Cr(12)Pt(6)Ta(2) 460 300 333 0 2220 DC -300 850CEX 22 Co(80)Cr(12)Pt(6)Ta(2) 710 526 584 0 1903 DC -300 850EX 42 Co(78)Cr(17)Ta(5) 250 117 134 Co(63)Cr(37) 50 0 0 2290 HF -100 600EX 43 Co(78)Cr(17)Ta(5) 250 92 131 Co(63)Cr(37) 100 0 0 2240 HF -100 600EX 44 Co(78)Cr(17)Ta(5) 250 91 130 Co(63)Cr(37) 300 0 0 2210 HF -100 600EX 45 Co(78)Cr(17)Ta(5) 250 94 118 Co(63)Cr(37) 500 0 0 2160 HF -100 600CEX 23 Co(78)Cr(17)Ta(5) 250 87 112 0 0 0 1940 HF -100 600EX 46 Co(78)Cr(17)Ta(5) 250 91 130 Co(63)Cr(37) 100 0 0 1580 HF -100 100EX 47 Co(78)Cr(17)Ta(5) 250 88 114 Co(63)Cr(37) 100 0 0 2030 HF -100 200EX 48 Co(78)Cr(17)Ta(5) 250 95 112 Co(63)Cr(37) 100 0 0 2240 HF -100 300EX 49 Co(78)Cr(17)Ta(5) 250 92 131 Co(63)Cr(37) 100 0 0 2240 HF -100 600CEX 24 Co(78)Cr(17)Ta(5) 250 89 111 1800 HF -100 100CEX 25 Co(78)Cr(17)Ta(5) 250 89 111 1930 HF -100 300CEX 26 Co(78)Cr(17)Ta(5) 250 87 112 1940 HF -100 600__________________________________________________________________________
TABLE 2__________________________________________________________________________ Br .multidot. t Bs .multidot. t Bs .multidot. t Thick- (ML) (ML) Thick- (IL) Magnetic ness (G .multidot. (G .multidot. Intermediate ness (G .multidot. Layer (ML) (.ANG.) .mu.m) .mu.m) Layer (IL) (.ANG.) .mu.m)__________________________________________________________________________EX 20 Co(80)Cr(14)Ta(6) 150 63 71 Co(63)Cr(37) 100 0EX 21 Co(80)Cr(14)Ta(6) 280 118 119 Co(63)Cr(37) 100 0EX 22 Co(80)Cr(14)Ta(6) 250 107 118 Co(63)Cr(37) 100 0EX 23 Co(80)Cr(14)Ta(6) 300 141 157 Co(63)Cr(37) 100 0CEX 5 Co(80)Cr(14)Ta(6) 150 62 68 0CEX 6 Co(80)Cr(14)Ta(6) 230 97 114 0CEX 7 Co(80)Cr(14)Ta(6) 350 123 143 0CEX 8 Co(80)Cr(14)Ta(6) 400 152 177 0__________________________________________________________________________ Thickness of Cr Bs .multidot. t (ML) H c Sputter Bias Underlayer Output S/N PW50 /Bs .multidot. t (IL) (Oe) Method (V) (.ANG.) (.mu.V) (dB) (nsec)__________________________________________________________________________EX 20 0 2100 HF -100 600 458 33 80EX 21 0 2325 HF -100 600 669 32 85EX 22 0 2475 HF -100 600 746 32 86EX 23 0 2338 HF -100 600 901 31 94CEX 5 1725 HF -100 600 338 31 82CEX 6 1900 HF -100 600 590 31 85CEX 7 1663 HF -100 600 720 30 89CEX 8 1663 HF -100 600 820 29 97__________________________________________________________________________
Obviously, additional modifications and variations of the present invention are possible in light of the above teachings. It is, therefore, to be understood that within the scope of the appended claims, the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described herein.
Claims
  • 1. A magnetic recording medium, comprising
  • a non-magnetic substrate;
  • a Co alloy magnetic layer;
  • a non-magnetic Cr alloy underlayer positioned between said magnetic layer and said substrate; and
  • an intermediate layer formed of a Co alloy having a hcp structure positioned between said magnetic layer and said non-magnetic underlayer without intervening layers, wherein
  • the ratio R=(BsIL*tIL)/(BsML*tML)<0.2, wherein (BsIL*tIL) is the product of the saturation magnetic flux density of the Co alloy, which constitutes the intermediate layer and the intermediate layer film thickness, and (BsML*tML) is the product of the saturation magnetic flux density of the Co alloy which constitutes the magnetic layer and the magnetic layer film thickness.
  • 2. The magnetic recording medium as set forth in claim 1, wherein
  • said intermediate layer is a Co--M alloy thin film layer, where M is one or more elements selected from the group consisting of Cr, Ti, W, V, Mo and Si.
  • 3. The magnetic recording medium as set forth in claim 2, wherein M is Cr and the Cr content is 27-52 at %.
  • 4. The magnetic recording medium as set forth in claim 1, wherein
  • the thickness of said intermediate layer is 10-1000 .ANG..
  • 5. The magnetic recording medium as set forth in claim 1, wherein,
  • the thickness of said non-magnetic underlayer is 100-1000 .ANG..
  • 6. The magnetic recording medium as set forth in claim 1, wherein
  • said non-magnetic underlayer, said intermediate layer and said magnetic layer are successively stacked and formed as films in a vacuum without permitting exposure of the layers to the air.
  • 7. The magnetic recording medium as set forth in claim 1, wherein
  • said Co alloy magnetic layer is a CoCr, CoNiCr CoPt alloy magnetic layer.
  • 8. The magnetic recording medium as set forth in claim 1, further comprising a metal coat layer positioned between said non-magnetic substrate and said non-magnetic underlayer.
  • 9. The magnetic recording medium as set forth in claim 1, wherein
  • said magnetic layer has a multi-layer structure.
  • 10. The magnetic recording medium as set forth in claim 1, further comprising a carbonaceous protection layer on said magnetic layer.
  • 11. The magnetic recording medium as set forth in claim 1, wherein the non-magnetic substrate is an aluminum alloy provided with a Ni--P layer, a glass substrate, a Si substrate or a resin substrate.
  • 12. The magnetic recording medium as set forth in claim 1, wherein the thickness of the magnetic layer ranges from 100-800 .ANG..
  • 13. The magnetic recording medium as set forth in claim 1, further comprising a fluorine lubricating layer on said magnetic layer.
  • 14. The magnetic recording medium as set forth in claim 1, further comprising a carbonaceous protection layer and a fluorine lubricating layer on said magnetic layer.
Priority Claims (2)
Number Date Country Kind
6-300731 Dec 1994 JPX
7-071517 Mar 1995 JPX
US Referenced Citations (3)
Number Name Date Kind
5543221 Kitakami et al. Aug 1996
5569533 Lal et al. Oct 1996
5587235 Suzuki et al. Dec 1996