MAGNETIC MICROSTRUCTURES PRODUCED BY COMPOSITIONAL SEPARATIONS IN CO-CR BASED ALLOY THIN-FILMS

Compositional separation (CS) has been observed to occur in Co-Gr base d alloy thin films producing fine, Co enriched, strongly ferromagnetic regions within the crystal grains. This CS exhibits a strong correlat ion with film magnetic properties and may hold the potential for engin eering a ''particulate type'' magnetic microstructure suitable for hig h density magnetic recording. In this study, we first investigated the effect on CS of varying several growth parameters, with the aim of be tter understanding how to control the compositional and magnetic micro structures, In particular, reduction in film thickness was found to be very effective for enhancing GS and producing finer in-grain ferromag netic regions with less coalescence. We therefore proceeded to perform point magnetic recording in Co-Cr films of various thicknesses and fo und that, although thinner films do support smaller bits, further stud ies on control of CS and promotion of magnetic isolation of Co-enriche d, ferromagnetic regions will be necessary in order to utilize the ful l potential of CS.