FePtCu–C granular film for perpendicular magnetic recording media

We worked on a FePtCu–C granular film for ultrahigh density perpendicular recording media with the density of 1 Tbits/in2 or even higher because of the strong anisotropy at FePt L10-phase. In experiments, a Fe48Pt42Cu10–C45% (6.8 nm) film was deposited on a silicon substrate with a MgO (12 nm) interlayer at 490 °C. The perpendicular coercivity of the film is 21 kOe, with a squareness of 1. Bright-field TEM images shows that the FePt granular film has small and uniform grains of 7.2 ± 1.9 nm. More work of high-resolution TEM imaging shows excellent L10 ordering for this film, consistent with the texture measurement by XRD. The measurement of remnant coercivity proves that it has an energy barrier of 330 kBT at room temperature, meaning excellent thermal stability. As a result, FePtCu–C granular thin film is a qualified candidate for high-density magnetic recording media.

► We fabricate FePtCu–C nanogranular thin film.
► The carbon addition into FePt thin film can reduce the grain size.
► The Cu addition into FePt thin film can reduce the ordering temperature of L10 phase.
► The thermal decay measurement proves the thermal stability of the film.