U.S. patent application number 13/051640 was filed with the patent office on 2011-10-06 for magnetic recording medium, method of manufacturing the same, and magnetic recording/reproduction apparatus.
This patent application is currently assigned to Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba. Invention is credited to Tomoyuki Maeda.
Application Number | 20110242702 13/051640 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 44709414 |
Filed Date | 2011-10-06 |
United States Patent
Application |
20110242702 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Maeda; Tomoyuki |
October 6, 2011 |
MAGNETIC RECORDING MEDIUM, METHOD OF MANUFACTURING THE SAME, AND
MAGNETIC RECORDING/REPRODUCTION APPARATUS
Abstract
According to one embodiment, a perpendicular magnetic recording
layer comprises a granular film type recording layer and a
continuous film type recording layer. The granular film type
recording layer comprises a first granular film type recording
layer in which magnetic crystal grains in a film plane has an
average crystal grain diameter of 3 to 7 nm, and a second granular
film type recording layer including magnetic crystal grains having
an in plane average crystal grain diameter larger than that of the
magnetic crystal grains of the first granular film type recording
layer.
Inventors: |
Maeda; Tomoyuki;
(Kawasaki-shi, JP) |
Assignee: |
Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
Tokyo
JP
|
Family ID: |
44709414 |
Appl. No.: |
13/051640 |
Filed: |
March 18, 2011 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
360/110 ;
204/192.15; 428/828; G9B/5.04; G9B/5.241 |
Current CPC
Class: |
C23C 14/08 20130101;
C23C 14/16 20130101; G11B 5/851 20130101; G11B 5/7325 20130101;
H01J 37/3429 20130101; G11B 5/66 20130101; G11B 5/65 20130101; C23C
14/10 20130101; C23C 14/3414 20130101; G11B 5/667 20130101; G11B
5/7379 20190501; C23C 14/083 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
360/110 ;
428/828; 204/192.15; G9B/5.04; G9B/5.241 |
International
Class: |
G11B 5/127 20060101
G11B005/127; G11B 5/667 20060101 G11B005/667; C23C 14/08 20060101
C23C014/08; C23C 14/14 20060101 C23C014/14; C23C 14/34 20060101
C23C014/34 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Mar 30, 2010 |
JP |
2010-079075 |
Claims
1. A perpendicular magnetic recording medium comprising a
substrate, a soft magnetic underlayer on the substrate, a
nonmagnetic seed layer on the soft magnetic underlayer, a
nonmagnetic underlayer on the nonmagnetic seed layer, and a
perpendicular magnetic recording layer on the nonmagnetic
underlayer, wherein the nonmagnetic underlayer has an average
crystal grain diameter of 4 to 8 nm in a film plane, wherein the
perpendicular magnetic recording layer comprises a granular
film-type recording layer comprising magnetic crystal grains and a
grain boundary region surrounding the magnetic crystal grains, and
a continuous film-type recording layer, and wherein the granular
film-type recording layer comprises a first granular film-type
recording layer in which magnetic crystal grains in a film plane
have an average crystal grain diameter of 3 to 7 nm, and a second
granular film-type recording layer including magnetic crystal
grains having an in-plane average crystal grain diameter larger
than that of the magnetic crystal grains of the first granular
film-type recording layer.
2. The medium of claim 1, wherein the in-plane average crystal
grain diameter of the second granular film-type recording layer is
7 to 10 nm.
3. The medium of claim 1, wherein the first granular film-type
recording layer has a grain packing ratio of 50% to 70% in a film
plane direction.
4. The medium of claim 1, wherein a grain packing ratio in a film
plane of the second granular film-type recording layer is 70% to
90%.
5. The medium of claim 1, wherein the grain boundary region of the
granular film-type recording layer comprises Si oxide and Cr oxide,
and a Cr oxide content of the second granular film-type recording
layer is smaller than that of the first granular film-type
recording layer.
6. The medium of claim 1, wherein the granular film-type recording
layer comprises magnetic crystal grains comprising an alloy
comprising Co, Pt, and Cr, and wherein the magnetic crystal grains
have a hexagonal close-packed (hcp) structure and are oriented in a
(0001) plane.
7. The medium of claim 6, wherein a Cr content of the magnetic
crystal grains in the first granular film-type recording layer is
lower than that of the magnetic crystal grains in the second
granular film-type recording layer.
8. The medium of claim 7, wherein the Cr content of the magnetic
crystal grains in the first granular film-type recording layer is 0
to 10 at %, and that of the magnetic crystal grains in the second
granular film-type recording layer is 12 to 18 at %.
9. The medium of claim 1, wherein the nonmagnetic underlayer
comprises one of (0001)-oriented Ru and a (0001)-oriented Ru
alloy.
10. The medium of claim 1, wherein the continuous film-type
recording layer comprises an alloy comprising Co and Pt.
11. The medium of claim 1, wherein the nonmagnetic seed layer
comprises a stack comprising a first seed layer and a second seed
layer, wherein the first seed layer comprises a material selected
from the group consisting of Al--Si, Pd--Si, Ru--Si, and Si, and
wherein the second seed layer comprises one of Pd and Pt.
12. A method of manufacturing a perpendicular magnetic recording
medium, the method comprising: forming a soft magnetic underlayer
on a substrate; forming a nonmagnetic seed layer on the soft
magnetic underlayer; forming a nonmagnetic underlayer on the
nonmagnetic seed layer; and forming a granular film-type recording
layer on the nonmagnetic underlayer, wherein the granular film-type
recording layer comprises magnetic crystal grains and a grain
boundary region surrounding the magnetic crystal grains, and
thereafter forming a continuous film-type recording layer, wherein
the nonmagnetic underlayer has an average crystal grain diameter of
4 to 8 nm in a film plane, wherein forming the granular film-type
recording layer comprises forming, on the nonmagnetic underlayer, a
first granular film-type recording layer in which crystal grains in
a film plane have an average crystal grain diameter of 3 to 7 nm,
and forming, on the first granular film-type recording layer, a
second granular film-type recording layer in which crystal grains
in a film plane are larger than the average crystal grain diameter
of the crystal grains in the first granular film-type recording
layer, and wherein forming the first granular film-type recording
layer comprises performing sputtering by using a sputtering target
comprising Si oxide, Co oxide, and a CoCrPt alloy.
13. The method of claim 12, wherein a CoO amount in the sputtering
target of the first granular film-type recording layer is 0.5 to 10
mol %.
14. The method of claim 12, wherein forming the second granular
film-type recording layer comprises performing sputtering by using
a sputtering target comprising Si oxide, Co oxide, and a CoCrPt
alloy, and wherein a CoO content in the sputtering target of the
second granular film-type recording layer is lower than that in the
sputtering target of the first granular film-type recording
layer.
15. The method of claim 12, wherein the sputtering target of the
first granular film-type recording layer further comprises Cr
oxide.
16. A magnetic recording/reproduction apparatus comprising the
perpendicular magnetic recording medium of claim 1, and a
recording/reproduction head.
17. The medium of claim 4, wherein the grain packing ratio in a
film plane of the second granular film-type recording layer is
greater than that of the first granular film-type recording layer.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is based upon and claims the benefit of
priority from Japanese Patent Application No. 2010-079075, filed
Mar. 30, 2010; the entire contents of which are incorporated herein
by reference.
FIELD
[0002] Embodiments described herein relate generally to a
perpendicular magnetic recording medium for use in, e.g., a hard
disk drive using the magnetic recording technique, and a magnetic
recording/reproduction apparatus.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Magnetic memory devices (HDDs) mainly used in computers to
record and reproduce information are recently beginning to be used
in various applications because they have large capacities,
inexpensiveness, high data access speeds, a high data retaining
reliability, and the like, and they are now used in various fields
such as household video decks, audio apparatuses, and automobile
navigation systems. As the range of applications of the HDDs
broadens, demands for large storage capacities increase, and
high-density HDDs are more and more extensively developed in recent
years.
[0004] As a magnetic recording method of presently commercially
available HDDs, a so-called perpendicular magnetic recording method
is recently most frequently used. In the perpendicular magnetic
recording method, magnetic crystal grains forming a magnetic
recording layer for recording information have the axis of easy
magnetization in a direction perpendicular to a substrate. The axis
of easy magnetization is an axis in the direction of which
magnetization easily points. In a Co-based alloy, the axis of easy
magnetization is the axis (c-axis) parallel to the normal to the
(0001) plane of the hcp structure of Co. Even when the recording
density is increased, therefore, the influence of a demagnetizing
field between recording bits is small, and the medium is
magnetostatically stable. A perpendicular magnetic recording medium
generally includes a substrate, a soft magnetic underlayer for
concentrating a magnetic flux generated from a magnetic head during
recording, a nonmagnetic seed layer and/or nonmagnetic underlayer
for orienting the magnetic crystal grains of a perpendicular
magnetic recording layer in the (0001) plane and reducing the
orientation dispersion, the perpendicular magnetic recording layer
containing a hard magnetic material, and a protective layer for
protecting the surface of the perpendicular magnetic recording
layer. A film mainly used as the existing perpendicular magnetic
recording layer is a multilayered film including a granular film
type recording layer having a so-called granular structure in which
magnetic crystal grains are surrounded by a grain boundary region
made of a nonmagnetic material, and a continuous film type
recording layer having a continuous-film-like structure not having
a clear grain/grain boundary structure.
[0005] The granular film type recording layer has a structure in
which magnetic crystal grains are two-dimensionally, physically
isolated by a nonmagnetic grain boundary region, so the magnetic
exchange interaction acting between the magnetic grains reduces.
This makes it possible to reduce the transition noise of the
recording/reproduction characteristics, and decrease the limit bit
size. On the other hand, since the exchange interaction between the
grains is reduced in the granular film type recording layer, the
dispersion of a magnetization switching field (SFD) often increases
in accordance with the composition of the grains and the dispersion
of the grain diameter. This increases the transition noise or
jitter noise of the recording/reproduction characteristics.
Accordingly, it is impossible to obtain favorable
recording/reproduction characteristics by using the granular film
type recording layer alone.
[0006] By contrast, the continuous film type recording layer does
not have a clear grain/grain boundary separated structure unlike
the granular film type recording layer, so a relatively strong
exchange interaction two-dimensionally, almost uniformly acts
between magnetic crystal grains. When stacking this recording layer
on the above-described granular film type recording layer, an
exchange interaction with an appropriate magnitude can uniformly be
exerted between the magnetic crystal grains in the granular film
type recording layer through the continuous film type recording
layer. This makes it possible to suppress the SFD described above,
and remarkably improve the recording/reproduction characteristics
when compared to those when using the granular film type recording
layer alone. Note that this effect can be obtained only when the
magnetic interaction is sufficiently acting between the granular
film type recording layer crystal grains and continuous film type
recording layer crystal grains, and no satisfactory effect is
obtained if the interaction deteriorates as will be described
later.
[0007] As described previously, the lower limit of the recording
bit size strongly depends on the magnetic crystal grain diameter of
the granular film type recording layer. To increase the recording
density of the HDD, therefore, it is necessary to decrease the
grain diameter of the granular film type recording layer. An
example of methods reported as a method of decreasing the grain
diameter of the granular film type recording layer is to decrease
the grain diameter of an underlayer by, e.g., improving a seed
layer or using a granular film as the underlayer, thereby
decreasing the grain diameter of a granular film type recording
layer to be stacked on the underlayer. Accordingly, the grain
diameter of the granular film type recording layer can be decreased
by using an underlayer having a small crystal grain diameter.
[0008] On the other hand, the present granular film type recording
layer has a columnar structure in which one magnetic crystal grain
epitaxially grows on one crystal grain of a nonmagnetic underlayer.
However, the grain diameter of the magnetic crystal grains in the
film plane is not constant in the direction of film thickness, but
tends to decrease as the grains grow. The number of grains is
constant in the direction of film thickness. On the surface of the
granular film type recording layer, therefore, the area of the
grain boundary region increases and the total area of the magnetic
crystal grains decreases when compared to those in the initial
growth portion. In other words, the packing ratio of the magnetic
crystal grains decreases. In the granular film type recording layer
in which the magnetic crystal grain diameter is decreased as
described above, the grain packing ratio on the film surface
significantly decreases from that of the conventional granular film
type recording layer.
[0009] Accordingly, when stacking the continuous film type
recording layer on the granular film type recording layer having
the decreased magnetic crystal grain diameter, the contact area
between the upper and lower magnetic crystal grains in the granular
film type recording layer/continuous film type recording layer
interface decreases, because the magnetic crystal grain packing
ratio on the surface of the granular film type recording layer is
very low. Consequently, the exchange interaction between the
magnetic crystal grains in the two layers deteriorates, and the
above-described magnetic characteristic adjusting function
significantly degrades. This poses the problem that the
recording/reproduction characteristics deteriorate because it is
impossible to sufficiently suppress the SFD.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] A general architecture that implements the various feature
of the embodiments will now be described with reference to the
drawings. The drawings and the associated descriptions are provided
to illustrate the embodiments and not to limit the scope of the
invention.
[0011] FIG. 1 is an exemplary view of the section of a magnetic
recording medium according to a first embodiment;
[0012] FIG. 2 is an exemplary view of the section of a magnetic
recording medium according to a second embodiment;
[0013] FIG. 3 is an exemplary view of a magnetic
recording/reproduction apparatus according to one embodiment;
and
[0014] FIG. 4 is a graph for explaining the .DELTA.Hc and a method
of evaluating the same.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0015] Various embodiments will be described hereinafter with
reference to the accompanying drawings.
[0016] In general, according to one embodiment, a perpendicular
magnetic recording medium includes
[0017] a substrate,
[0018] a soft magnetic underlayer formed on the substrate,
[0019] a nonmagnetic seed layer formed on the soft magnetic
underlayer,
[0020] at least one nonmagnetic underlayer formed on the
nonmagnetic seed layer, and having an average grain diameter of 4
to 8 nm in a film plane, and
[0021] a perpendicular magnetic recording layer including a
granular film type recording layer formed on the nonmagnetic
underlayer and including magnetic crystal grains and a grain
boundary region surrounding the magnetic crystal grains, and a
continuous film type recording layer.
[0022] The granular film type recording layer includes a first
granular film type recording layer in which magnetic crystal grains
in a film plane has an average crystal grain diameter of 3 to 7 nm,
and a second granular film type recording layer including magnetic
crystal grains having an in-plane average crystal grain diameter
larger than that of the magnetic crystal grains in the first
granular film type recording layer.
[0023] A perpendicular magnetic recording medium manufacturing
method according to another embodiment includes the steps of
sequentially stacking a soft magnetic underlayer, nonmagnetic seed
layer, nonmagnetic underlayer, and perpendicular magnetic recording
layer on a substrate,
[0024] wherein the step of forming the perpendicular magnetic
recording layer includes the step of forming a granular film type
recording layer including magnetic crystal grains and a grain
boundary region surrounding the magnetic crystal grains on the
nonmagnetic underlayer, and thereafter forming a continuous film
type recording layer,
[0025] the nonmagnetic underlayer has an average grain diameter of
4 to 8 nm in a film plane,
[0026] the granular film type recording layer includes two layers
having different average grain diameters, and the step of forming
the granular film type recording layer includes the step of
forming, on the nonmagnetic underlayer, a first granular film type
recording layer in which crystal grains in a film plane have an
average crystal grain diameter of 3 to 7 nm, and the step of
forming a second granular film type recording layer in which
crystal grains in a film plane are larger than the average grain
diameter of the crystal grains in the first granular film type
recording layer, and
[0027] a sputtering target containing an Si oxide, Co oxide, and
CoCrPt alloy is used in the step of forming the first granular film
type recording layer.
[0028] In the step of forming the second granular film type
recording layer, it is also possible to perform sputtering by using
a sputtering target containing Si oxide, Co oxide, and a CoCrPt
alloy. The CoO content in the sputtering target of the second
granular film type recording layer can be smaller than that in the
sputtering target of the first granular film type recording layer.
The sputtering targets to be used for the first and second granular
film type recording layers can further contain Cr oxide as
needed.
[0029] A magnetic recording/reproduction apparatus according to an
embodiment is characterized by including the above-described
magnetic recording medium and a recording/reproduction head.
[0030] The first granular film type recording layer is close to the
underlayer, and will be referred to as a small-grain-diameter
magnetic layer hereinafter. The second granular film type recording
layer is close to the continuous film type recording layer, and
will be referred to as a grain diameter modulating magnetic layer
hereinafter.
[0031] FIG. 1 is a sectional view showing an example of the
magnetic recording medium according to the embodiment.
[0032] As shown in FIG. 1, a magnetic recording medium 10 has a
structure in which a soft magnetic underlayer 2, nonmagnetic seed
layer 3, nonmagnetic underlayer 4, granular film type recording
layer 5, continuous film type recording layer 6, and protective
layer 7 are sequentially stacked on a substrate 1. The granular
film type recording layer 5 includes two layers, i.e., a
small-grain-diameter magnetic layer 5-1 and grain diameter
modulating magnetic layer 5-2.
[0033] Film Configuration of Magnetic Recording Medium According to
Embodiment
[0034] As a nonmagnetic substrate of the perpendicular magnetic
recording medium according to the embodiment, it is possible to
use, e.g., a glass substrate, an Al-based alloy substrate, an Si
single-crystal substrate having an oxidized surface, ceramics, or
plastic. In addition, the same effect is expected even when the
surface of any of these nonmagnetic substrates is plated with an
NiP alloy or the like.
[0035] In the perpendicular magnetic recording medium according to
the embodiment, a high-permeability soft magnetic underlayer is
formed on the substrate. The soft magnetic underlayer horizontally
passes a recording magnetic field from a magnetic head such as a
single pole head for magnetizing the perpendicular magnetic
recording layer, and returns the recording magnetic field to the
magnetic head, thereby performing a part of the function of the
magnetic head. Thus, the soft magnetic underlayer can increase the
recording/reproduction efficiency by applying a steep sufficient
perpendicular magnetic field to the magnetic field recording
layer.
[0036] Examples of the soft magnetic layer as described above are
CoZrNb, CoB, CoTaZr, FeSiAl, FeTaC, CoTaC, NiFe, Fe, FeCoB, FeCoN,
and FeTaN.
[0037] The soft magnetic underlayer can also be a multilayered film
including two or more layers. In this case, the materials,
compositions, and film thicknesses of the individual layers may be
different. It is also possible to form a triple-layered structure
by sandwiching a thin Ru layer between two soft magnetic
underlayers.
[0038] To improve the mechanical adhesion between the substrate and
soft magnetic underlayer, a nonmagnetic adhesion layer may be
formed between the substrate and soft magnetic layer. Examples of
the nonmagnetic adhesion layer are materials such as Cr and Ti, and
alloys of these materials.
[0039] In the perpendicular magnetic recording medium according to
the embodiment, the nonmagnetic seed layer is formed on the soft
magnetic underlayer. The nonmagnetic seed layer has a function of
controlling the crystal orientation and crystal grain diameter of
the nonmagnetic underlayer formed on the nonmagnetic seed layer.
Examples of the nonmagnetic seed layer are materials such as Si,
Al--Si, Ru--Si, and Pd--Si, and multilayered structures such as
Si/Pd, Al--Si/Pd, Ru--Si/Pd, Pd--Si/Pd, Si/Pt, Al--Si/Pt,
Ru--Si/Pt, and Pd--Si/Pt obtained by stacking Pd and Pt on these
materials. When using any of these multilayered structures, the
grain diameter of the nonmagnetic underlayer can be controlled by
changing the film thickness of Pd or Pt. It is also possible to use
a material obtained by forming a thin nitrogen deposition layer on
a Cu surface. The use of any of these materials makes it possible
to improve the crystal orientation of the nonmagnetic underlayer,
and decrease the nonmagnetic underlayer grain diameter. The
nonmagnetic seed layer may be crystalline or amorphous. The
nonmagnetic seed layer may have a multilayered structure including
two or more layers.
[0040] The nonmagnetic underlayer has a function of controlling the
crystal orientation and crystal grain diameter of the granular film
type recording layer formed on the nonmagnetic underlayer. In the
perpendicular magnetic recording medium according to the
embodiment, the above-described seed layer makes the average grain
diameter of crystal grains in the nonmagnetic underlayer fall
within the range of 4 to 8 nm. The average grain diameter herein
mentioned is the average crystal grain diameter in a plane near the
center of the film thickness (the same shall apply hereinafter).
The average grain diameter of the granular film type recording
layer can be decreased by using the nonmagnetic underlayer having a
small average grain diameter as described above. If the average
grain diameter of the crystal grains in the nonmagnetic underlayer
is less than 4 nm, the crystal orientation of the nonmagnetic
underlayer deteriorates. If this average grain diameter exceeds 8
nm, the crystal grain diameter of the granular film type recording
layer tends to increase. Furthermore, the average grain diameter of
the crystal grains in the nonmagnetic underlayer can be set within
the range of 5 to 7 nm. As the material of the nonmagnetic
underlayer, it is possible to use a metal or alloy material having
a (0001)-oriented hcp structure. More specifically, it is possible
to use Ru, an Ru alloy, or Co alloy. The crystal orientation of the
granular film type recording layer can be improved by using any of
these materials. The nonmagnetic underlayer can also have a
granular structure including nonmagnetic crystal grains and a
nonmagnetic grain boundary region. The nonmagnetic underlayer can
further have a multilayered structure including two or more
layers.
[0041] On the other hand, an example of a method of decreasing only
the granular film type recording layer grain diameter without
decreasing the nonmagnetic underlayer grain diameter as described
above is a method of depositing the granular film type recording
layer by adding oxygen to a sputtering gas. Unfortunately, this
method often decreases the c-axis orientation dispersion of the
granular film type recording layer, thereby deteriorating the
magnetic characteristics and recording/reproduction
characteristics.
[0042] The magnetic recording layer of the perpendicular magnetic
recording medium according to the embodiment has a multilayered
structure including the granular film type recording layer and
continuous film type recording layer.
[0043] The continuous film type recording layer is used to improve
the magnetic characteristics. The continuous film type recording
layer herein mentioned is a recording layer that does not have any
clear grain/grain boundary structure such as a granular structure
but has a continuous-film-like structure. In a magnetic layer
having this continuous-film-like structure, the exchange
interaction between magnetic crystal grains acts more strongly than
that in the granular film type recording layer. By stacking this
recording layer on the granular film type recording layer, it is
possible to appropriately and uniformly adjust the exchange
interaction between magnetic grains in the granular film type
recording layer. This makes it possible to suppress the SFD of each
magnetic grain of the granular film type recording layer, and
reduce the jitter noise of the recording/reproduction
characteristics. As the continuous film type recording layer, it is
possible to use an alloy material such as a CoCrPt alloy or CoCrPtB
alloy, or an artificial lattice film such as Co/Pt or Co/Pd.
[0044] The granular film type recording layer is used to reduce the
bit size of the recording/reproduction characteristics. The
granular film type recording layer herein mentioned is a layer
having a granular structure in which a nonmagnetic grain boundary
region two-dimensionally surrounds individual magnetic crystal
grains in the film plane. In the granular film type recording
layer, the individual magnetic crystal grains are physically
isolated by the nonmagnetic grain boundary region. This makes it
possible to reduce the exchange interaction between the magnetic
grains, and reduce the transition noise of the
recording/reproduction characteristics.
[0045] As the magnetic crystal grain material of the granular film
type recording layer of the perpendicular magnetic recording medium
according to the embodiment, it is possible to use an alloy
material having the hcp structure practically oriented in the
(0001) plane and containing Co and Pt. When Co alloy crystal grains
having the hcp structure are oriented in the (0001) plane, the axis
of easy magnetization is oriented perpendicularly to the substrate
surface, thereby achieving perpendicular magnetic anisotropy. This
is favorable for the perpendicular magnetic recording medium. It is
also possible to use, e.g., a Co--Pt-based alloy material or
Co--Pt--Cr-based alloy material. These alloys have a high
magnetocrystalline anisotropic energy and hence have a high thermal
decay resistance. To improve the magnetic characteristics, additive
elements such as Ta, Cu, B, and Nd may be added to these alloy
materials as needed.
[0046] An oxide of, e.g., Si, Cr, or Ti can be used as the
nonmagnetic grain boundary region material of the granular film
type recording layer of the perpendicular magnetic recording medium
according to the embodiment. These oxides hardly form a solid
solution with the Co--Pt alloy described above, and readily deposit
in the crystal grain boundary between the magnetic crystal grains.
Therefore, a granular structure can be obtained relatively easily.
The material forming the grain boundary region may be crystalline
or amorphous.
[0047] The total ratio of the substance amounts of the material
forming the grain boundary region to the alloy forming the magnetic
crystal grains can be 5 to 15 mol %. If this ratio is less than 5
mol %, the granular structure becomes difficult to maintain. If the
ratio exceeds 20 mol %, the reproduction output of the R/W
characteristics often decreases. The ratio can also be 7 to 12 mol
%.
[0048] The granular film type recording layer of the perpendicular
magnetic recording medium according to the embodiment has a
multilayered structure including two layers having different
average grain diameters, and the average grain diameter of the
layer close to the continuous film type recording layer is larger
than that of the layer close to the nonmagnetic underlayer.
[0049] In the granular film type recording layer, the individual
magnetic crystal grains epitaxially grow into columns on the
nonmagnetic underlayer crystal grains, but the grain boundary
substance in the nonmagnetic grain boundary region prevents the
grain growth in the direction of the film plane. When forming the
granular film type recording layer on the nonmagnetic underlayer
material, therefore, the crystal grain diameter of the nonmagnetic
underlayer is generally reflected on that of the granular film type
recording layer, so fine magnetic crystal grains can be obtained.
On the other hand, the columnar crystal grains in the granular film
type recording layer as described above grow such that the crystal
grain diameter is not constant in the direction of the film
thickness: as the film thickness increases, the average grain
diameter on the side close to the surface decreases, and the area
of the grain boundary region increases. That is, the grain packing
ratio on the surface side often decreases compared to that in the
initial growth portion. When decreasing the average grain diameter
by decreasing the underlayer grain diameter, the grain packing
ratio in the surface region significantly decreases with respect to
the granular film type recording layer having the conventional
grain diameter and grain boundary width. Therefore, the contact
area between the magnetic crystal grains in the upper and lower
layers noticeably decreases in the interface with the continuous
film type recording layer. Consequently, the exchange interaction
acting between the granular film type recording layer and
continuous film type recording layer deteriorates. This degrades
the SFD reducing effect obtained by stacking the continuous film
type recording layer as described previously. The granular film
type recording layer of the perpendicular magnetic recording medium
according to the embodiment has the multilayered structure
including two layers having different average grain diameters, and
the average grain diameter of the layer close to the continuous
film type recording layer is larger than that of the layer close to
the nonmagnetic underlayer. Accordingly, the exchange interaction
acting between the granular film type recording layer and
continuous film type recording layer does not deteriorate, and the
SFD can effectively be reduced.
[0050] In the perpendicular magnetic recording medium according to
the embodiment, the average grain diameter of the magnetic crystal
grains in the small-grain-diameter magnetic layer can be 3 to 7 nm.
If the average grain diameter of the magnetic crystal grains is
less than 3 nm, the recording magnetization of each magnetic
crystal grain becomes unstable due to thermal energy. If the
average grain diameter exceeds 7 nm, the transition noise of the
recording/reproduction characteristics tends to increase. The
average grain diameter of the magnetic crystal grains can also be 4
to 6 nm.
[0051] On the other hand, the average grain diameter of the
magnetic crystal grains in the grain diameter modulating magnetic
layer of the perpendicular magnetic recording medium according to
the embodiment can be 7 to 10 nm. If the average grain diameter of
the magnetic crystal grains is less than 7 nm, the exchange
interaction acting between this layer and the continuous film type
recording layer deteriorates. If the average grain diameter exceeds
10 nm, the transition noise reducing effect obtained by the
small-grain-diameter magnetic layer does not remarkably appear any
longer. The average grain diameter of the magnetic crystal grains
in the grain diameter modulating magnetic layer can also be 8 to 9
nm.
[0052] An example of a method by which the grain diameter of the
grain diameter modulating magnetic layer stacked on the
small-grain-diameter magnetic layer is made larger than that of the
small-grain-diameter magnetic layer is a method of increasing the
content of the magnetic crystal grain alloy in the grain diameter
modulating magnetic layer relative to the grain boundary region
substance. It is also possible to adjust the deposition conditions,
e.g., the sputtering gas pressure of sputtering deposition, and the
input power to a target.
[0053] In the perpendicular magnetic recording medium according to
the embodiment, the grain packing ratio in the film plane of the
small-grain-diameter magnetic layer can be 50% to 70%. The grain
packing ratio herein mentioned is the area packing ratio of crystal
grains in the film plane, and defined by
(Sum of areas of crystal grains)/{(sum of areas of crystal
grains)+(total area of grain boundary region)}
[0054] In the granular film type recording layer as described
previously, the individual magnetic crystal grains are physically
isolated by the nonmagnetic grain boundary region, and this reduces
the exchange interaction between the magnetic grains. Therefore,
the exchange interaction can further be reduced by appropriately
increasing the area of the nonmagnetic grain boundary region, and
increasing the physical distance between the magnetic crystal
grains, i.e., appropriately decreasing the grain packing ratio.
This makes it possible to further reduce the transition noise of
the recording/reproduction characteristics. The present inventors
made extensive studies, and have found that the grain packing ratio
of the small-grain-diameter magnetic layer can be set within the
range of 50% to 70%. If the grain packing ratio exceeds 70%, the
exchange interaction between the magnetic crystal grains increases,
and the recording/reproduction characteristics often deteriorate.
If the grain packing ratio is less than 50%, the recording
magnetization amount per unit area reduces, and the reproduction
signal intensity of the recording/reproduction characteristics
tends to significantly decrease. The grain packing ratio in the
small-grain-diameter magnetic layer can further be set within the
range of 60% to 65%.
[0055] In the perpendicular magnetic recording medium according to
the embodiment, the grain packing ratio in the film plane of the
grain diameter modulating magnetic layer can be made larger than
that of the small-grain-diameter magnetic layer described above. By
making the grain packing ratio of the grain diameter modulating
magnetic layer larger than that of the small-grain-diameter
magnetic layer, it is possible to increase the contact area between
the continuous film type recording layer and magnetic crystal
grains, and increase the exchange interaction acting between the
two layers. More specifically, the grain packing ratio can be set
within the range of 70% to 90%. If the grain packing ratio is less
than 70%, the exchange interaction acting between the grain
diameter modulating magnetic layer and continuous film type
recording layer often deteriorates. If the grain packing ratio
exceeds 90%, the transition noise reducing effect obtained by the
small-grain-diameter magnetic layer tends to insignificantly
appear. It is also found by experiments that the grain packing
ratio of the grain diameter modulating magnetic layer can be set
within the range of 80% to 85%.
[0056] In the perpendicular magnetic recording medium according to
the embodiment, at least Si oxide and Cr oxide are contained as the
grain boundary substance of the small-grain-diameter magnetic
layer, and the Cr oxide content in the small-grain-diameter
magnetic layer can be made higher than that in the grain diameter
modulating magnetic layer. The grain packing ratio of the magnetic
crystal grains in the granular film type recording layer can be
decreased to some extent by increasing the content of the grain
boundary region substance relative to the magnetic crystal grain
alloy. The present inventors made extensive studies, and have found
that the grain packing ratio is effectively decreased by increasing
the Cr oxide content as the grain boundary substance. The
above-described grain packing ratio is obtained by making the Cr
oxide content in the small-grain-diameter magnetic layer higher
than that in the grain diameter modulating magnetic layer. Note
that the grain diameter modulating magnetic layer need not always
contain any Cr oxide.
[0057] FIG. 2 is a sectional view showing another example of the
magnetic recording medium according to the embodiment.
[0058] As shown in FIG. 2, a magnetic recording medium 20 has a
structure in which a soft magnetic underlayer 2, nonmagnetic seed
layer 3, nonmagnetic underlayer 4, granular film type recording
layer 5, continuous film type recording layer 6, and protective
layer 7 are sequentially stacked on a substrate 1. The granular
film type recording layer 5 includes three layers, i.e., a
small-grain-diameter magnetic layer 5-3, small-grain-diameter
magnetic layer 5-1, and non-small-grain-diameter magnetic layer
5-2.
[0059] In the perpendicular magnetic recording medium according to
the embodiment, the small-grain-diameter magnetic layer includes
two layers different in Cr content of magnetic crystal grains, and
the Cr content of the magnetic crystal grains in the layer (lower
layer) close to the nonmagnetic underlayer can be made lower than
that of the magnetic crystal grains in the layer (upper layer)
close to the grain diameter modulating magnetic layer.
[0060] In the initial growth portion (near the interface with the
nonmagnetic underlayer) of the granular magnetic layer, the
interaction between the magnetic crystal grains generally tends to
increase although the granular structure is formed. This poses the
problem that the transition noise of the recording/reproduction
characteristics increases. Although the cause of the increase in
interaction in the initial growth portion is unclear, the
presence/absence of a stacking defect of a CoCrPt magnetic crystal
grain alloy in the initial growth portion may be a cause. The
present inventors made extensive studies, and have found that the
increase in interaction in the initial growth portion is suppressed
by decreasing the Cr content of the small-grain-diameter magnetic
layer. This is so probably because the stacking defect amount of
CoCrPt is reduced by decreasing the Cr content. On the other hand,
since Cr has an effect of facilitating the formation of a granular
structure, the inter-grain interaction often reduces as the Cr
content increases in portions other than the initial growth
portion. The present inventors made extensive studies based on
these facts, and have found that when the small-grain-diameter
magnetic layer is divided into two layers and the Cr content of the
magnetic crystal grains in the layer (lower layer) close to the
nonmagnetic underlayer is made lower than that of the magnetic
crystal grains in the layer (upper layer) close to the grain
diameter modulating magnetic layer, it is possible to reduce the
interaction in the initial growth portion and the interaction in a
medium-thickness portion or on the surface side at the same time,
and as a consequence the interaction reducing effect is high.
[0061] More specifically, the SNR of the recording/reproduction
characteristics can increase when the Cr content in the magnetic
crystal alloy of the lower layer is 0 to 12 atomic %, and that in
the magnetic crystal alloy of the upper layer is 12 to 18 atomic %.
It is found by experiments that the SNR of the
recording/reproduction characteristics can further increase when
the Cr content in the magnetic crystal alloy of the lower layer is
8 to 10 atomic %, and that in the magnetic crystal alloy of the
upper layer is 14 to 17 atomic %.
[0062] A nonmagnetic interlayer may be formed between the granular
film type recording layer and continuous film type recording layer
in order to adjust the exchange interaction acting between the two
layers, thereby obtaining a so-called ECC media (Exchange Coupled
Composite media) configuration. More specifically, it is possible
to use a material such as Ru, Pd, Pt, or Ir, or an alloy of any of
these materials. The nonmagnetic interlayer may have a granular
structure.
[0063] A protective layer can be formed on the perpendicular
magnetic recording medium. Examples of the protective layer are C,
diamond-like carbon (DLC), SiN.sub.x, SiO.sub.x, and CN.sub.x.
[0064] According to the embodiment, a magnetic recording medium
capable of high-density information recording and reproduction is
obtained by decreasing the grain diameter of the perpendicular
magnetic recording medium and suppressing the dispersion of a
magnetization reversal field at the same time.
[0065] Evaluation Methods
[0066] The average grain diameter of crystal grains in each layer
can be confirmed by observing the plane of a main recording layer
by using, e.g., a transmission electron microscope (TEM). The
crystal grain packing ratio of each layer can also be evaluated by
the same method. When using energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDX)
in addition to the above method, it is possible to identify the
elements of the crystal grain and grain boundary region, and
evaluate their contents.
[0067] It is possible to identify the oxide of each layer and
evaluate the content of the oxide by X-ray photoelectron
spectroscopy (XPS).
[0068] The orientation plane of crystal grains in each layer can be
evaluated by the .theta.-2.theta. method by using, e.g., a general
X-ray diffractometer (XRD). The orientation dispersion can be
evaluated by a half-width .DELTA..theta.50 of a rocking curve.
[0069] Manufacturing Methods
[0070] As the deposition method of each layer, it is possible to
use any of vacuum deposition, various sputtering methods, molecular
beam epitaxy, ion beam deposition, laser abrasion, and chemical
vapor deposition.
[0071] Sputtering can be used as a method of depositing the
granular film type recording layer of the perpendicular magnetic
recording medium according to the embodiment. As described earlier,
the magnetic crystal grain diameter and grain packing ratio can be
controlled relatively easily when using sputtering.
[0072] Especially when depositing the small-grain-diameter magnetic
layer by sputtering, the pressure can be a high pressure of 2 Pa or
more. If the pressure of sputtering deposition is low, the grain
diameter often increases to destroy the granular structure.
Deposition can be performed within the range of 3 to 6 Pa.
[0073] The small-grain-diameter magnetic layer can be deposited by
sputtering using a target containing a Co oxide. As described
previously, it is effective to increase the Cr oxide content in the
grain boundary region of the small-grain-diameter magnetic layer,
as the method of decreasing the grain packing ratio of the
small-grain-diameter magnetic layer. An example of the method of
increasing the Cr oxide content in the small-grain-diameter
magnetic layer is to increase the Cr oxide content in the target.
On the other hand, the present inventors made extensive studies,
and have found that a target containing Co oxide can be used. CoO
as Co oxide is chemically unstable at room temperature when
compared to Cr.sub.2O.sub.3 as Cr oxide, so Cr is often oxidized by
CoO. When performing sputtering deposition by using a target
containing CoO and Cr, Cr is oxidized by CoO and readily deposited
in the grain boundary region. This increases the area of the grain
boundary region, and further decreases the grain packing ratio. On
the other hand, CoO is almost completely reduced during the
deposition process, and forms a solid solution, as metal Co, in the
magnetic crystal grain alloy. It is found by extensive studies made
by the present inventors that the grain packing ratio reducing
effect obtained by adding CoO to the target is larger than that
when Cr oxide is added to the target. More specifically, it is
possible to further decrease the grain packing ratio of the
small-grain-diameter magnetic layer by using a
(CoCrPt)--SiO.sub.2--Cr.sub.2O.sub.3--CoO material mixture as the
target. Note that CoO added to the target causes a redox reaction
with Cr or the like during the deposition process as described
above, so the target composition does not necessarily match the
actual granular film composition.
[0074] It is found by experiments that the CoO content in the
target can be set within the range of 0.5 to 12 mol %, and can also
be set within the range of 6 to 10 mol %.
[0075] On the other hand, as the method of depositing the grain
diameter modulating magnetic layer, a layer having a grain packing
ratio higher than that of the small-grain-diameter magnetic layer
can be obtained relatively easily by using a target containing a
CoO content lower than that in the target for depositing the
small-grain-diameter magnetic layer.
[0076] It is possible to identify CoO in a target and evaluate the
content of CoO by dissolving a target piece with an acid or the
like and analyzing the solution by using inductively coupled plasma
atomic emission spectroscopy (ICP-AES).
[0077] Drive
[0078] FIG. 3 is a partially exploded perspective view of an
example of the magnetic recording/reproduction apparatus according
to the embodiment.
[0079] A rigid magnetic disk 62 for information recording according
to the embodiment is mounted on a spindle 63, and rotated at a
predetermined rotational speed by a spindle motor (not shown). A
slider 64 carrying a recording head for recording information by
accessing the magnetic disk 62 and an MR head for reproducing
information is attached to the distal end of a suspension made of a
thin leaf spring. This suspension is connected to one end of an arm
65 including, e.g., a bobbin for holding a driving coil (not
shown).
[0080] A voice coil motor 67 as a kind of a linear motor is formed
at the other end of the arm 65. The voice coil motor 67 includes a
driving coil (not shown) wound on the bobbin of the arm 65, and a
magnetic circuit including a permanent magnet and counter yoke
facing each other to sandwich the driving coil between them.
[0081] The arm 65 is held by ball bearings (not shown) formed in
two, upper and lower portions of a fixing shaft 66, and swung by
the voice coil motor 67. That is, the voice coil motor 67 controls
the position of the slider 64 on the magnetic disk 62. Note that
reference numeral 68 in FIG. 3 denotes a lid.
[0082] The present invention will be explained in more detail below
by way of its examples.
Example 1
[0083] A 2.5-inch hard disk type nonmagnetic glass substrate (MEL5
manufactured by Konica Minolta Opt) was loaded into a vacuum
chamber of the c-3010 sputtering apparatus manufactured by Canon
ANELVA.
[0084] After the vacuum chamber of the sputtering apparatus was
evacuated to 1.times.10.sup.-5 Pa or less, Co--Zr--Nb (50 nm) as a
soft magnetic underlayer, an Al-44 atomic % Si (5 nm)/Pd
multilayered film as a nonmagnetic seed layer, Ru (20 nm) as a
nonmagnetic underlayer, (Co--Cr--Pt)--SiO.sub.2 (14 nm) as a
granular film type recording layer, Co--Cr--Pt (6 nm) as a
continuous film type recording layer, and C (5 nm) as a protective
layer were sequentially deposited on a substrate. After the
deposition, the surface of the protective layer was coated with a
13-.ANG. thick perfluoropolyether (PFPE) lubricant by dipping,
thereby obtaining each perpendicular magnetic recording medium.
Atomic % will be represented by at % as needed hereinafter.
[0085] Each layer was deposited by DC sputtering. The deposition
conditions were that the diameter of each target was 164 mm, the
T-S distance was 50 mm, the input power was 500 W, and the
temperature was room temperature.
[0086] The soft magnetic underlayer was deposited at an Ar pressure
of 0.5 Pa by using a Co.sub.90Zr.sub.5Nb.sub.5 target. The
nonmagnetic seed layer was deposited at an Ar pressure of 0.5 Pa by
using an Al-44 at % Si target and Pd target. The aluminum
silicon/Pd film thickness was changed from 2 to 8 nm (Examples 1-1
to 1-4 and Comparative Examples 6 and 7).
[0087] The nonmagnetic underlayer was deposited at 6 Pa by using Ru
target.
[0088] The granular film type recording layer had a double-layered
structure including a small-grain-diameter magnetic layer and grain
diameter modulating magnetic layer. That is, 12-nm thick
(Co.sub.68--Cr.sub.16--Pt.sub.16)-10 mol % SiO.sub.2 was deposited
at 5 Pa, and 2-nm thick (Co.sub.68--Cr.sub.16--Pt.sub.16)-5.5 mol %
SiO.sub.2 was deposited at 2 Pa. A 6-nm thick
(Co.sub.71--Cr.sub.19--Pt.sub.10) film was deposited at 0.5 Pa as
the continuous film type recording layer. 5-nm thick C was
deposited at 0.5 Pa as the protective layer.
Comparative Example 1
[0089] As a comparative example, the conventional perpendicular
magnetic recording medium was manufactured as follows.
[0090] That is, the medium was manufactured following the same
procedures as in Example 1 except that the nonmagnetic seed layer
was 6-nm thick Pd and no grain diameter modulating magnetic layer
was formed.
Comparative Example 2
[0091] As a comparative example, a magnetic recording medium having
no grain diameter modulating magnetic layer was manufactured as
follows.
[0092] That is, the medium was manufactured following the same
procedures as in Example 1 except that the nonmagnetic seed layer
was Al-44 at % Si (5 nm)/Pd (4 nm) and no grain diameter modulating
magnetic layer was formed.
Comparative Example 3
[0093] As a comparative example, a magnetic recording medium in
which the nonmagnetic underlayer grain diameter was the same as
that of the conventional perpendicular magnetic recording medium
and only the granular film type recording layer grain diameter was
decreased was manufactured as follows.
[0094] That is, the medium was manufactured following the same
procedures as in Example 1 except that the nonmagnetic seed layer
was 6-nm thick Pd and an Ar-10 vol. % O.sub.2 gas mixture was used
as a sputtering gas when depositing the small-grain-diameter
magnetic layer.
Comparative Example 4
[0095] As a comparative example, a magnetic recording medium having
no granular film type recording layer was manufactured as
follows.
[0096] That is, the medium was manufactured following the same
procedures as in Example 1 except that the nonmagnetic seed layer
was Al-44 at % Si (5 nm)/Pd (4 nm) and no granular film type
recording layer was formed.
Comparative Example 5
[0097] As a comparative example, a magnetic recording medium in
which the stacking positions of the small-grain-diameter magnetic
layer and grain diameter modulating magnetic layer were switched
was manufactured as follows.
[0098] That is, the medium was manufactured following the same
procedures as in Example 1 except that the nonmagnetic seed layer
was Al-44 at % Si (5 nm)/Pd (4 nm) and the stacking positions of
the small-grain-diameter magnetic layer and grain diameter
modulating magnetic layer were switched.
[0099] The R/W characteristics of each perpendicular magnetic
recording medium were evaluated by using a spinstand. As a magnetic
head, a combination of a single pole head having a recording track
width of 0.3 .mu.m and an MR head having a reproduction track width
of 0.2 .mu.m was used.
[0100] The measurements were performed in a predetermined radial
position of 20 mm while the disk was rotated at 4,200 rpm.
[0101] As the medium SNR, the value of a signal-to-noise ratio
(SNRm) (S is the output at a liner recording density of 119 kfci,
and Nm is the value of rms (root mean square) at 716 kfci) of a
differential waveform passed through a differentiating circuit was
evaluated.
[0102] The fine structure of each layer of each perpendicular
magnetic recording medium was evaluated by using a TEM having an
acceleration voltage of 400 kV.
[0103] The compositions of the crystal grains and grain boundary
region of each layer of each perpendicular magnetic recording
medium were evaluated by using TEM-EDX and XPS.
[0104] The SFD of each magnetic recording medium was evaluated by
the .DELTA.Hc/Hc method using a polar Kerr effect measuring
device.
[0105] FIG. 4 shows a hysteresis loop for explaining the .DELTA.Hc
and its evaluation method.
[0106] That is, after the hysteresis loop (thick solid line) was
obtained under the conditions that the maximum applied magnetic
field was 20 kOe and the magnetic field sweep rate was 133 Oe/s,
the applied magnetic field was turned to Hs from the point of -Hc
on the hysteresis loop, thereby obtaining a minor loop (thick
dotted line). The difference between a magnetic field of .theta.s/2
on the minor loop and a magnetic field in the second quadrant of
the hysteresis loop was regarded as 2.DELTA.Hc, and the
.DELTA.Hc/Hc was obtained by normalization by Hc.
[0107] Table 1 below shows the value of .DELTA.Hc/Hc of each
magnetic recording medium.
[0108] The composition of each target was evaluated by using
inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy
(ICP-AES).
[0109] The crystal structure and crystal plane orientation of each
perpendicular magnetic recording medium were evaluated by the
.theta.-2.theta. method and rocking curve by generating a
Cu--K.alpha. line at an acceleration voltage of 45 kV and a
filament current of 40 mA by using the X'pert-MRD X-ray diffraction
apparatus manufactured by Philips.
[0110] Table 1 below shows the c-axis orientation dispersion
.DELTA..theta.50 of the small-grain-diameter magnetic layer of each
magnetic recording medium.
[0111] The results of the XRD evaluation show that the magnetic
crystal grains in the granular film type recording layer of every
perpendicular magnetic recording medium had the hcp structure and
were oriented in the (0001) plane.
[0112] Also, the magnetic crystal grains in the continuous film
type recording layer of every perpendicular magnetic recording
medium had the hcp structure and were oriented in the (0001)
plane.
[0113] Ru of the nonmagnetic underlayer of every medium had the hcp
structure and was oriented in the (0001) plane.
[0114] The results of the planar TEM observation indicate that the
granular film type recording layer of every perpendicular magnetic
recording medium had a granular structure in which the grain
boundary region surrounded the magnetic crystal grains.
[0115] The results of the composition analysis by TEM-EDX
demonstrate that the magnetic crystal grains in the granular film
type recording layer of every perpendicular magnetic recording
medium contained Co, Pt, and Cr.
[0116] Furthermore, the continuous film type recording layer of
every perpendicular magnetic recording medium had a continuous film
structure because no clear grain/grain boundary structure could be
confirmed. The results of the composition analysis by TEM-EDX
demonstrate that the continuous film type recording layer of every
perpendicular magnetic recording medium contained Co, Pt, and
Cr.
[0117] Table 1 below shows an average grain diameter d(Ru) of the
nonmagnetic underlayer, an average grain diameter d(gra) of the
small-grain-diameter magnetic layer, and an average grain diameter
d(mod) of the grain diameter modulating magnetic layer of each
medium. The average grain diameter of each layer was evaluated in
the center of the film thickness of the layer.
[0118] Comparison of Example 1 with Comparative Examples 6 and 7
reveals that the .DELTA.Hc/Hc and SNR remarkably improved and
favorable characteristics were obtained when the average grain
diameter of the nonmagnetic underlayer was 4 to 8 nm and that of
the small-grain-diameter magnetic layer was 3 to 7 nm. This
comparison also shows that the .DELTA.Hc/Hc and SNR further
improved when the average grain diameter of the nonmagnetic
underlayer was 5 to 7 nm and that of the small-grain-diameter
magnetic layer was 4 to 6 nm.
[0119] Comparative Example 1 shows that the SNR noticeably improved
compared to that of the conventional perpendicular magnetic
recording medium when the average grain diameter of the nonmagnetic
underlayer was 4 to 8 nm and that of the small-grain-diameter
magnetic layer was 3 to 7 nm in the magnetic recording medium of
Example 1. On the other hand, there was no significant difference
in .DELTA.Hc/Hc. Therefore, the SNR of the magnetic recording
medium of Example 1 improved presumably mainly because it was
possible to suppress the increase in .DELTA.Hc/Hc while decreasing
the average grain diameter of the granular recording layer.
[0120] Comparison with Comparative Example 2 reveals that when the
average grain diameter of the nonmagnetic underlayer was 4 to 8 nm
and that of the small-grain-diameter magnetic layer was 3 to 7 nm
in the magnetic recording medium of Example 1, the SNR and
.DELTA.Hc/Hc markedly improved by forming the grain diameter
modulating magnetic layer having an average grain diameter larger
than that of the small-grain-diameter magnetic layer. Accordingly,
the SNR of the magnetic recording medium of Example 1 improved
probably mainly because the grain diameter modulating magnetic
layer having a large average grain diameter reduced the
.DELTA.Hc/Hc.
[0121] Comparison with Comparative Example 3 demonstrates that when
the crystal grain diameter of the nonmagnetic underlayer was not
decreased and only the grain diameter of the small-grain-diameter
magnetic layer was decreased, the c-axis orientation dispersion of
the small-grain-diameter magnetic layer increased, and the SNR
deteriorated. Accordingly, the SNR of the magnetic recording medium
of Example 1 improved probably principally because it was possible
to suppress the increase in c-axis orientation dispersion by
decreasing the average grain diameter of the small-grain-diameter
magnetic layer by using the nonmagnetic underlayer having a small
average grain diameter.
[0122] Comparison with Comparative Example 4 shows that the SNR
deteriorated when there was no granular film type recording
layer.
[0123] Comparison with Comparative Example 5 indicates that the SFD
and SNR deteriorated when the small-grain-diameter magnetic layer
was stacked on the grain diameter modulating magnetic layer.
Therefore, the SNR of the magnetic recording medium of Example 1
improved perhaps primarily because the bit diameter was decreased
by the small-grain-diameter magnetic layer having a small average
grain diameter, and the .DELTA.Hc/Hc was reduced by forming the
grain diameter modulating magnetic layer having a large average
grain diameter on the small-grain-diameter magnetic layer.
[0124] The above results demonstrate that when the average grain
diameter of the nonmagnetic underlayer was 4 to 8 nm and that of
the small-grain-diameter magnetic layer was 3 to 7 nm, it was
presumably possible, by forming the grain diameter modulating
magnetic layer having an average grain diameter larger than that of
the small-grain-diameter magnetic layer, to decrease the bit size
and improve the SNR while suppressing the c-axis orientation
dispersion in the granular film type recording layer and
suppressing the SFD.
Example 2
[0125] Media were manufactured as follows by changing the
composition of the grain diameter modulating magnetic layer of the
magnetic recording medium of Example 1.
[0126] That is, the media were manufactured following the same
procedures as in Example 1 except that the nonmagnetic seed layer
was Al-44 at % Si/Pd (4 nm), and the SiO.sub.2 content of the grain
diameter modulating magnetic layer was changed between 5.5 and 9
mol %.
[0127] The SiO.sub.2 content of the grain diameter modulating
magnetic layer was adjusted by changing the SiO.sub.2 content of a
target.
[0128] The results of the XRD evaluation show that the magnetic
crystal grains in the granular film type recording layer of every
perpendicular magnetic recording medium had the hcp structure and
were oriented in the (0001) plane.
[0129] Also, the magnetic crystal grains in the continuous film
type recording layer of every perpendicular magnetic recording
medium had the hcp structure and were oriented in the (0001)
plane.
[0130] Ru of the nonmagnetic underlayer of every medium had the hcp
structure and was oriented in the (0001) plane.
[0131] The results of the planar TEM observation indicate that the
granular film type recording layer of every perpendicular magnetic
recording medium had a granular structure in which the grain
boundary region surrounded the magnetic crystal grains.
[0132] The results of the composition analysis by TEM-EDX
demonstrate that the magnetic crystal grains in the granular film
type recording layer of every perpendicular magnetic recording
medium contained Co, Pt, and Cr.
[0133] Furthermore, the continuous film type recording layer of
every perpendicular magnetic recording medium had a continuous film
structure because no clear grain/grain boundary structure could be
confirmed. The results of the composition analysis by TEM-EDX
demonstrate that the continuous film type recording layer of every
perpendicular magnetic recording medium contained Co, Pt, and
Cr.
[0134] The nonmagnetic seed layer grain diameter of every medium
was 4 to 8 nm.
[0135] The average grain diameter of the small-grain-diameter
magnetic layer of every medium was 3 to 7 nm, i.e., smaller than
the grain diameter of the grain diameter modulating magnetic
layer.
[0136] Table 2 shows the average grain diameter d(Ru) of the
nonmagnetic underlayer, the average grain diameter d(gra) of the
small-grain-diameter magnetic layer, and the average grain diameter
d(mod) of the grain diameter modulating magnetic layer of each
magnetic recording medium. The average grain diameter of each layer
was evaluated in the center of the film thickness of the layer.
[0137] Table 2 also shows the result of the composition analysis of
the grain diameter modulating magnetic layer of each magnetic
recording medium.
[0138] Furthermore, Table 2 shows the values of .DELTA.Hc/Hc and
SNR of each magnetic recording medium.
[0139] When the average grain diameter of the grain diameter
modulating magnetic layer was 7 to 10 nm, the .DELTA.Hc/Hc and SNR
significantly improved. The average grain diameter of the grain
diameter modulating magnetic layer could also be 8 to 9 nm. When
the average grain diameter of the grain diameter modulating
magnetic layer was 7 to 10 nm, the SNR improved probably mainly
because the .DELTA.Hc/Hc improved.
Example 3
[0140] Magnetic recording media were manufactured as follows by
changing the grain packing ratio of the small-grain-diameter
magnetic layer.
[0141] That is, the media were manufactured following the same
procedures as in Example 2 except that deposition was performed
using a target obtained by adding 0 to 13 mol % of CoO to a
small-grain-diameter magnetic layer target, and the composition of
the grain diameter modulating magnetic layer was
(Co.sub.68--Cr.sub.16--Pt.sub.16)-7 mol at % SiO.sub.2.
[0142] The results of the XRD evaluation show that the magnetic
crystal grains in the granular film type recording layer of every
perpendicular magnetic recording medium had the hcp structure and
were oriented in the (0001) plane.
[0143] Also, the magnetic crystal grains in the continuous film
type recording layer of every perpendicular magnetic recording
medium had the hcp structure and were oriented in the (0001)
plane.
[0144] Ru of the nonmagnetic underlayer of every medium had the hcp
structure and was oriented in the (0001) plane.
[0145] The results of the planar TEM observation indicate that the
granular film type recording layer of every perpendicular magnetic
recording medium had a granular structure in which the grain
boundary region surrounded the magnetic crystal grains.
[0146] The results of the composition analysis by TEM-EDX
demonstrate that the magnetic crystal grains in the granular film
type recording layer of every perpendicular magnetic recording
medium contained Co, Pt, and Cr.
[0147] Furthermore, the continuous film type recording layer of
every perpendicular magnetic recording medium had a continuous film
structure because no clear grain/grain boundary structure could be
confirmed. The results of the composition analysis by TEM-EDX
demonstrate that the continuous film type recording layer of every
perpendicular magnetic recording medium contained Co, Pt, and
Cr.
[0148] The nonmagnetic seed layer grain diameter of every medium
was 4 to 8 nm.
[0149] The average grain diameter of the small-grain-diameter
magnetic layer of every medium was 3 to 7 nm, i.e., smaller than
the grain diameter of the grain diameter modulating magnetic
layer.
[0150] Tables 3 and 4 show the average grain diameter d(Ru) of the
nonmagnetic underlayer, the average grain diameter d(gra) of the
small-grain-diameter magnetic layer, the average grain diameter
d(mod) of the grain diameter modulating magnetic layer, a grain
packing ratio (P(gra)) of the small-grain-diameter magnetic layer,
and a grain packing ratio (P(mod)) of the grain diameter modulating
magnetic layer of each magnetic recording medium. The average grain
diameter and grain packing ratio of each layer were evaluated in
the center of the film thickness of the layer.
[0151] Tables 3 and 4 also show the results of the composition
analysis of the small-grain-diameter magnetic layer and
small-grain-diameter magnetic layer target of each magnetic
recording medium.
[0152] Furthermore, Tables 3 and 4 show the values of .DELTA.Hc/Hc
and SNR of each magnetic recording medium.
[0153] When the grain packing ratio of the small-grain-diameter
magnetic layer was 50% to 70%, the SNR improved compared to that of
the magnetic recording medium of Example 1. The grain packing ratio
of the small-grain-diameter magnetic layer could also be 60% to
65%. On the other hand, the .DELTA.Hc/Hc exhibited no remarkable
improvement. Therefore, when the grain packing ratio of the
small-grain-diameter magnetic layer was 50% to 70%, the SNR
improved presumably mainly because the exchange interaction in the
small-grain-diameter magnetic layer reduced.
[0154] In addition, when the amount of CoO added to the
small-grain-diameter magnetic layer target was 0.5 to 12 mol %, it
was possible to appropriately reduce the grain packing ratio of the
small-grain-diameter magnetic layer, and improve the SNR. The CoO
addition amount could also be 6 to 10 mol %.
[0155] Furthermore, even when CoO was added to the target, CoO did
not necessarily form in the film, and Cr often oxidized
instead.
Example 4
[0156] Magnetic recording media were manufactured as follows by
changing the grain packing ratio of the grain diameter modulating
magnetic layer.
[0157] That is, the media were manufactured following the same
procedures as in Example 3 except that the amount of CoO to be
added to the small-grain-diameter magnetic layer target was fixed
to 6 mol %, and the amount of Cr.sub.2O.sub.3 to be added to the
grain diameter modulating magnetic layer target was changed from 0
to 7 mol %.
[0158] The results of the XRD evaluation show that the magnetic
crystal grains in the granular film type recording layer of every
perpendicular magnetic recording medium had the hcp structure and
were oriented in the (0001) plane.
[0159] Also, the magnetic crystal grains in the continuous film
type recording layer of every perpendicular magnetic recording
medium had the hcp structure and were oriented in the (0001)
plane.
[0160] Ru of the nonmagnetic underlayer of every medium had the hcp
structure and was oriented in the (0001) plane.
[0161] The results of the planar TEM observation indicate that the
granular film type recording layer of every perpendicular magnetic
recording medium had a granular structure in which the grain
boundary region surrounded the magnetic crystal grains.
[0162] The results of the composition analysis by TEM-EDX
demonstrate that the magnetic crystal grains in the granular film
type recording layer of every perpendicular magnetic recording
medium contained Co, Pt, and Cr.
[0163] Furthermore, the continuous film type recording layer of
every perpendicular magnetic recording medium had a continuous film
structure because no clear grain/grain boundary structure could be
confirmed. The results of the composition analysis by TEM-EDX
demonstrate that the continuous film type recording layer of every
perpendicular magnetic recording medium contained Co, Pt, and
Cr.
[0164] The nonmagnetic seed layer grain diameter of every medium
was 4 to 8 nm.
[0165] The average grain diameter of the small-grain-diameter
magnetic layer of every medium was 3 to 7 nm, i.e., smaller than
the grain diameter of the grain diameter modulating magnetic
layer.
[0166] Tables 5 and 6 show the Cr.sub.2O.sub.3 content in the
small-grain-diameter magnetic layer, that in the
[0167] grain diameter modulating magnetic layer, the grain packing
ratio (P(gra)) of the small-grain-diameter magnetic layer, the
grain packing ratio (P(mod)) of the grain diameter modulating
magnetic layer, and the values of .DELTA.Hc/Hc and SNR of each
magnetic recording medium.
[0168] Tables 5 and 6 show the average grain diameter d(Ru) of the
nonmagnetic underlayer, the average grain diameter d(gra) of the
small-grain-diameter magnetic layer, the average grain diameter
d(mod) of the grain diameter modulating magnetic layer, the grain
packing ratio (P(gra)) of the small-grain-diameter magnetic layer,
and the grain packing ratio (P(mod)) of the grain diameter
modulating magnetic layer of each magnetic recording medium. The
average grain diameter and grain packing ratio of each layer were
evaluated in the center of the film thickness of the layer.
[0169] The SNR remarkably improved when the grain packing ratio of
the grain diameter modulating magnetic layer was 70% to 90% and
higher than that of the small-grain-diameter magnetic layer. The
grain packing ratio of the grain diameter modulating magnetic layer
could also be 80% to 85%.
[0170] In addition, the SNR noticeably improved when the
Cr.sub.2O.sub.3 content in the grain diameter modulating magnetic
layer was smaller than that in the small-grain-diameter magnetic
layer.
[0171] Also, the Cr.sub.2O.sub.3 content added to the target did
not necessarily match that in the film: the Cr.sub.2O.sub.3 content
in the film was often lower.
Example 5
[0172] Magnetic recording media were manufactured as follows by
changing the small-grain-diameter magnetic layer to a
double-layered structure including two layers different in Cr
content of magnetic crystal grains.
[0173] That is, the media were manufactured following the same
procedures as in Example 4 except that the amount of
Cr.sub.2O.sub.3 to be added to the grain diameter modulating
magnetic layer target was fixed to 3 mol %, and the Cr addition
amount was changed for each of the two small-grain-diameter
magnetic layers. The film thickness of the lower
small-grain-diameter magnetic layer was 4 nm, and that of the upper
small-grain-diameter magnetic layer was 8 nm.
[0174] The results of the XRD evaluation show that the magnetic
crystal grains in the granular film type recording layer of every
perpendicular magnetic recording medium had the hcp structure and
were oriented in the (0001) plane.
[0175] Also, the magnetic crystal grains in the continuous film
type recording layer of every perpendicular magnetic recording
medium had the hcp structure and were oriented in the (0001)
plane.
[0176] Ru of the nonmagnetic underlayer of every medium had the hcp
structure and was oriented in the (0001) plane.
[0177] The results of the planar TEM observation indicate that the
granular film type recording layer of every perpendicular magnetic
recording medium had a granular structure in which the grain
boundary region surrounded the magnetic crystal grains.
[0178] The results of the composition analysis by TEM-EDX
demonstrate that the magnetic crystal grains in the granular film
type recording layer of every perpendicular magnetic recording
medium contained Co, Pt, and Cr.
[0179] Furthermore, the continuous film type recording layer of
every perpendicular magnetic recording medium had a continuous film
structure because no clear grain/grain boundary structure could be
confirmed. The results of the composition analysis by TEM-EDX
demonstrate that the continuous film type recording layer of every
perpendicular magnetic recording medium contained Co, Pt, and
Cr.
[0180] The nonmagnetic seed layer grain diameter of every medium
was 4 to 8 nm.
[0181] The average grain diameter of the small-grain-diameter
magnetic layer of every medium was 3 to 7 nm, i.e., smaller than
the grain diameter of the grain diameter modulating magnetic
layer.
[0182] Tables 7 and 8 show the Cr content in the
small-grain-diameter magnetic layer (lower layer), that in the
small-grain-diameter magnetic layer (upper layer), and the values
of .DELTA.Hc/Hc and SNR.
[0183] Tables 7 and 8 also show the average grain diameter d(Ru) of
the nonmagnetic underlayer, an average grain diameter d(gra lower)
of the small-grain-diameter magnetic layer (lower layer), an
average grain diameter d(gra upper) of the small-grain-diameter
magnetic layer (upper layer), the average grain diameter d(mod) of
the grain diameter modulating magnetic layer, a grain packing ratio
(P(gra lower)) of the small-grain-diameter magnetic layer (lower
layer), a grain packing ratio (P(gra upper)) of the
small-grain-diameter magnetic layer (upper layer), and the grain
packing ratio (P(mod)) of the grain diameter modulating magnetic
layer of each magnetic recording medium. The average grain diameter
and grain packing ratio of each layer were evaluated in the center
of the film thickness of the layer.
[0184] In addition, Tables 7 and 8 show the results of the analysis
of the Cr contents in the crystal grains of the
small-grain-diameter magnetic layer (upper layer) and
small-grain-diameter magnetic layer (lower layer) of each magnetic
recording medium.
[0185] Furthermore, Tables 7 and 8 show the values of .DELTA.Hc/Hc
and SNR of each magnetic recording medium.
[0186] When compared to Example 4, the SNR notably improved when
the small-grain-diameter magnetic layer was given the
double-layered structure, and the Cr content in the
small-grain-diameter magnetic layer (lower layer) was made lower
than that in the small-grain-diameter magnetic layer (upper
layer).
[0187] Also, the SNR improved when the Cr content in the
small-grain-diameter magnetic layer (lower layer) was 0 to 12 at %.
The Cr content in the small-grain-diameter magnetic layer (lower
layer) could also be 8 to 10 at %.
[0188] Furthermore, the SNR improved when the Cr content in the
small-grain-diameter magnetic layer (upper layer) was 12 to 18 at
%. The Cr content in the small-grain-diameter magnetic layer (upper
layer) could also be 14 to 17 at %.
Example 6
[0189] Magnetic recording media were manufactured as follows by
changing the nonmagnetic seed layer.
[0190] That is, the media were manufactured following the same
procedures as in Example 5 except that the Cr content in the
small-grain-diameter magnetic layer (lower layer) was fixed to 10
at %, that in the small-grain-diameter magnetic layer (upper layer)
was fixed to 16 at %, and the nonmagnetic seed layer was changed to
Si (5 nm)/Pd (4 nm), Ru-30 at % Si (5 nm)/Pd (4 nm), Pd-67 at % Si
(5 nm)/Pd (4 nm), Si (5 nm)/Pt (4 nm), Al-44 at % Si (5 nm)/Pt (4
nm), Ru-30 at % Si (5 nm)/Pt (4 nm), or Pd-67 at % Si (5 nm)/Pt (4
nm).
[0191] The results of the XRD evaluation show that the magnetic
crystal grains in the granular film type recording layer of every
perpendicular magnetic recording medium had the hcp structure and
were oriented in the (0001) plane.
[0192] Also, the magnetic crystal grains in the continuous film
type recording layer of every perpendicular magnetic recording
medium had the hcp structure and were oriented in the (0001)
plane.
[0193] Ru of the nonmagnetic underlayer of every medium had the hcp
structure and was oriented in the (0001) plane.
[0194] The results of the planar TEM observation indicate that the
granular film type recording layer of every perpendicular magnetic
recording medium had a granular structure in which the grain
boundary region surrounded the magnetic crystal grains.
[0195] The results of the composition analysis by TEM-EDX
demonstrate that the magnetic crystal grains in the granular film
type recording layer of every perpendicular magnetic recording
medium contained Co, Pt, and Cr.
[0196] Furthermore, the continuous film type recording layer of
every perpendicular magnetic recording medium had a continuous film
structure because no clear grain/grain boundary structure could be
confirmed. The results of the composition analysis by TEM-EDX
demonstrate that the continuous film type recording layer of every
perpendicular magnetic recording medium contained Co, Pt, and
Cr.
[0197] The nonmagnetic seed layer grain diameter of every medium
was 4 to 8 nm.
[0198] The average grain diameter of the small-grain-diameter
magnetic layer of every medium was 3 to 7 nm, i.e., smaller than
the grain diameter of the grain diameter modulating magnetic
layer.
[0199] When the SNR was evaluated by a spinstand, every medium had
a high SNR as in Example 5.
TABLE-US-00001 TABLE 1 Non- mag- netic seed d(Ru) d(gra) d(mod)
.theta..sub.50 SNR layer [nm] [nm] [nm] [.degree.] Hc/Hc [dB]
Comparative AlSi/Pd 3.6 2.7 10.1 3.3 0.23 9.0 Example 6 (1 nm)
Example 1-1 AlSi/Pd 4.0 3.0 10.1 3.2 0.17 11.1 (2 nm) Example 1-2
AlSi/Pd 5.0 4.0 10.3 3.2 0.16 12.0 (3 nm) Example 1-3 AlSi/Pd 7.0
6.0 10.3 3.1 0.16 12.0 (4 nm) Example 1-4 AlSi/Pd 8.0 7.0 10.4 3.0
0.18 11.0 (6 nm) Comparative AlSi/Pd 8.5 7.4 10.4 3.0 0.23 9.3
Example 7 (8 nm) Comparative Pd 9.6 9.0 -- 3.1 0.15 8.8 Example 1
(6 nm) Comparative AlSi/Pd 7.0 6.0 -- 3.1 0.30 9.1 Example 2 (4 nm)
Comparative Pd 9.6 6.0 10.4 9.0 0.38 7.8 Example 3 (6 nm)
Comparative AlSi/Pd 7.0 -- 11.2 -- 0.10 5.7 Example 4 (4 nm)
Comparative AlSi/Pd 7.0 7.0 11.2 3.0 0.31 8.9 Example 5 (4 nm)
TABLE-US-00002 TABLE 2 Grain size modulating d(Ru) d(gra) d(mod)
SNR layer composition [nm] [nm] [nm] Hc/Hc [dB] Example 2-1
(Co-16at % Cr-10at % Pt)-9 mol % SiO.sub.2 7.0 6.0 6.7 0.23 12.0
Example 2-2 (Co-16at % Cr-10at % Pt)-8.5 mol % SiO.sub.2 7.0 6.0
7.0 0.17 13.4 Example 2-3 (Co-16at % Cr-10at % Pt)-8 mol %
SiO.sub.2 7.0 6.0 7.6 0.16 13.4 Example 2-4 (Co-16at % Cr-10at %
Pt)-7.5 mol % SiO.sub.2 7.0 6.0 8.0 0.14 14.1 Example 2-5 (Co-16at
% Cr-10at % Pt)-7 mol % SiO.sub.2 7.0 6.0 8.5 0.14 14.1 Example 2-6
(Co-16at % Cr-10at % Pt)-6.5 mol % SiO.sub.2 7.0 6.0 9.0 0.13 13.4
Example 2-7 (Co-16Crat %-10at % Pt)-6 mol % SiO.sub.2 7.0 6.0 10.0
0.16 13.4 Example 1-3 (Co-16at % Cr-10at % Pt)-5.5 mol % SiO.sub.2
7.0 6.0 10.3 0.16 12.0
TABLE-US-00003 TABLE 3 Small-grain-size magnetic Small-grain-size
magnetic layer target composition layer composition Example 2-5
(Co--16Cr--10Pt)--10 mol % SiO.sub.2 (Co--16Cr--10Pt)--10 mol %
SiO.sub.2 Example 3-1 (Co--16Cr--10Pt)--10 mol % SiO.sub.2--0.5 mol
% CoO (Co--16Cr--10Pt)--10 mol % SiO.sub.2--1 mol % Cr.sub.2O.sub.3
Example 3-2 (Co--16Cr--10Pt)--10 mol % SiO.sub.2--1 mol % CoO
(Co--15Cr--10Pt)--10 mol % SiO.sub.2--1.5 mol % Cr.sub.2O.sub.3
Example 3-3 (Co--16Cr--10Pt)--10 mol % SiO.sub.2--5 mol % CoO
(Co--14Cr--10Pt)--10 mol % SiO.sub.2--2 mol % Cr.sub.2O.sub.3
Example 3-4 (Co--16Cr--10Pt)--10 mol % SiO.sub.2--6 mol % CoO
(Co--14Cr--10Pt)--10 mol % SiO.sub.2--2.5 mol % Cr.sub.2O.sub.3
Example 3-5 (Co--16Cr--10Pt)--10 mol % SiO.sub.2--10 mol % CoO
(Co--13Cr--10Pt)--10 mol % SiO.sub.2--3 mol % Cr.sub.2O.sub.3
Example 3-6 (Co--16Cr--10Pt)--10 mol % SiO.sub.2--11 mol % CoO
(Co--12Cr--10Pt)--10 mol % SiO.sub.2--3.5 mol % Cr.sub.2O.sub.3
Example 3-7 (Co--16Cr--10Pt)--10 mol % SiO.sub.2--12 mol % CoO
(Co--12Cr--10Pt)--10 mol % SiO.sub.2--4 mol % Cr.sub.2O.sub.3
Example 3-8 (Co--16Cr--10Pt)--10 mol % SiO.sub.2--13 mol % CoO
(Co--11Cr--10Pt)--10 mol % SiO.sub.2--4.5 mol % Cr.sub.2O.sub.3
TABLE-US-00004 TABLE 4 d(Ru) d(gra) d(mod) P(gra) P(mod) SNR [nm]
[nm] [nm] [%] [%] Hc/Hc [dB] Example 2-5 7.0 6.0 8.5 76 91 0.14
14.1 Example 3-1 7.0 6.0 8.5 70 91 0.15 15.0 Example 3-2 7.0 5.9
8.5 68 91 0.16 15.0 Example 3-3 7.0 5.5 8.5 66 91 0.16 15.1 Example
3-4 7.0 5.4 8.5 65 91 0.16 16.1 Example 3-5 7.0 5.4 8.5 60 91 0.16
16.2 Example 3-6 7.0 5.2 8.5 58 91 0.17 15.2 Example 3-7 7.0 5.2
8.5 50 91 0.17 15.1 Example 3-8 7.0 5.2 8.5 48 91 0.17 16
TABLE-US-00005 TABLE 5 Cr.sub.2O.sub.3 content in Cr.sub.2O.sub.3
content (mod) in small-grain-size grain size modulating Grain size
modulating magnetic magnetic layer magnetic layer layer target
composition [mol. %] [mol. %] Example 4-1 (Co--16Cr--10Pt)--7 mol %
SiO.sub.2--7 mol % Cr.sub.2O.sub.3 5 5 Example 4-2
(Co--16Cr--10Pt)--7 mol % SiO.sub.2--6 mol % Cr.sub.2O.sub.3 5 4
Example 4-3 (Co--16Cr--10Pt)--7 mol % SiO.sub.2--5 mol %
Cr.sub.2O.sub.3 5 2 Example 4-4 (Co--16Cr--10Pt)--7 mol %
SiO.sub.2--4 mol % Cr.sub.2O.sub.3 5 <1 Example 4-5
(Co--16Cr--10Pt)--7 mol % SiO.sub.2--3 mol % Cr.sub.2O.sub.3 5
<1 Example 4-6 (Co--16Cr--10Pt)--7 mol % SiO.sub.2--2 mol %
Cr.sub.2O.sub.3 5 <1 Example 4-7 (Co--16Cr--10Pt)--7 mol %
SiO.sub.2--1 mol % Cr.sub.2O.sub.3 5 0 Example 3-3
(Co--16Cr--10Pt)--7 mol % SiO.sub.2 2.5 0
TABLE-US-00006 TABLE 6 d(Ru) d(gra) d(mod) P(gra) P(mod) SNR [nm]
[nm] [nm] [%] [%] Hc/Hc [dB] Example 4-1 7.0 5.4 8.1 65 68 0.2 16.1
Example 4-2 7.0 5.4 8.2 65 70 0.17 16.9 Example 4-3 7.0 5.4 8.3 65
78 0.17 17.0 Example 4-4 7.0 5.4 8.3 65 80 0.16 18.0 Example 4-5
7.0 5.4 8.4 65 85 0.16 18.0 Example 4-6 7.0 5.4 8.4 65 87 0.16 17.1
Example 4-7 7.0 5.4 8.5 65 90 0.16 17.0 Example 3-3 7.0 5.4 8.5 65
91 0.16 16.1
TABLE-US-00007 TABLE 7 Cr content in small- Cr content in
grain-size small- magnetic grain-size layer magnetic layer d d (gra
d (gra (lower layer) (upper layer) (Ru) lower) upper) [at. %] [at.
%] [nm] [nm] [nm] Example 4-5 -- 16 7.0 -- 5.4 Example 5-1 0 16 7.0
5.6 5.4 Example 5-2 4 16 7.0 5.6 5.4 Example 5-3 7 16 7.0 5.6 5.4
Example 5-4 8 16 7.0 5.5 5.4 Example 5-5 10 16 7.0 5.5 5.4 Example
5-6 12 16 7.0 5.5 5.4 Example 5-7 17 16 7.0 5.4 5.4 Example 5-8 10
10 7.0 5.5 5.7 Example 5-9 10 12 7.0 5.5 5.7 Example 5-10 10 14 7.0
5.5 5.6 Example 5-11 10 17 7.0 5.5 5.4 Example 5-12 10 19 7.0 5.5
5.3
TABLE-US-00008 TABLE 8 P(gra P(gra d(mod) lower) upper) P(mod) SNR
[nm] [%] [%] [%] Hc/Hc [dB] Example 4-5 8.4 -- 65 85 0.16 18.0
Example 5-1 8.4 67 65 85 0.14 18.7 Example 5-2 8.4 67 65 85 0.14
18.7 Example 5-3 8.4 67 65 85 0.14 18.8 Example 5-4 8.4 66 65 85
0.11 19.7 Example 5-5 8.4 66 65 85 0.11 19.8 Example 5-6 8.4 66 65
85 0.15 18.6 Example 5-7 8.4 65 65 85 0.18 17.9 Example 5-8 8.4 66
67 85 0.13 17.9 Example 5-9 8.4 66 67 85 0.13 18.9 Example 5-10 8.4
66 66 85 0.12 19.6 Example 5-11 8.4 66 65 85 0.11 19.7 Example 5-12
8.4 66 64 85 0.16 18.9
[0200] While certain embodiments have been described, these
embodiments have been presented by way of example only, and are not
intended to limit the scope of the inventions. Indeed, the novel
embodiments described herein may be embodied in a variety of other
forms; furthermore, various omissions, substitutions and changes in
the form of the embodiments described herein may be made without
departing from the spirit of the inventions. The accompanying
claims and their equivalents are intended to cover such forms or
modifications as would fall within the scope and spirit of the
inventions.
* * * * *