Interface mediated control of microstructure and magnetic properties of FePt-C thin films

► In this paper microstructure and magnetic properties of FePt-C film are studied. ► Increasing amounts of carbon doping in the FePt deteriorates the chemical ordering. ► RF etching of the MgO/CrRu underlayer helps to reduce the grain size. ► RF etching of the MgO/CrRu underlayer reduces intergranular exchange interaction. ► Reduced intergranular exchange interaction leads to an increase in the coercivity.