In this contribution, results obtained in a BRITE-EURAM project on the
electrodeposition of composition-modulated alloys (CMM) are presented
. Electrodeposited Go-rich Co-Pt-P, natural, very thin multilayers are
studied as possible substitutes of Go-based sputtered magnetic record
ing media, for their easy production? high magnetisation and coercivit
y. The effects of hypophosphite addition to the electrolyte on its ele
ctrochemical behaviour and on the magnetic characteristics of the film
s are reported. Magnetic coercivity is strongly increased when hypopho
sphite is added, but the improvements are not simply related to the P
content of the alloy. Co-Pt-P films maintain a high coercivity (>2 kOe
) even at high thicknesses, showing the possibility of their applicati
on in microelectromechanical structures. The interaction occurring bet
ween Co and Pr is shown by ESCA measurements of the density of states
in the valence-band region. The stability of the CMM structure is stud
ied for multilayers of Cu and Ni as a function of time and temperature
fr om the saturation magnetic moment change, determining the diffusio
n coefficient Variation with temperature for the formation of non-magn
etic interfaces. (C) 1998 Published by Elsevier Science S.A.