INFLUENCE OF DEPOSITION RATE ON THE MAGNETIC, CRYSTALLINE, AND RECORDING PROPERTIES OF COCRTA/CR MEDIA

The effect of magnetic layer deposition rate on longitudinal media's magnetic, crystalline, and recording properties was studied. Slower deposition rates were found to produce a systematic reduction in media transition noise. X-ray diffraction and torque magnetometer data indicated that as the deposition rate was slowed, the out-of-plane anisotropy component of the media increased. Slower deposition rates were also found to increase media saturation magnetization. Increased media signal-to-noise ratios were observed when higher process temperatures were used in conjunction with slower rates. These results are discussed in terms of recent theories which have linked phase segregation and out-of-plane crystalline anisotropy with media magnetic and recording properties.