The effect of Ni content, film thickness, Ar pressure upon the magnetic and
magneto-optical (MO) properties are studied with the (CoPt3)(1-x)Ni-x (x =
0-0.5) alloy films. Experimental data indicate that Ar pressure greatly af
fect the Kerr rotation angle during the blue-wave range. For the studied (C
oPt3)(1-x)Ni-x alloy films, the satisfactory thickness for obtaining large
perpendicular magnetic anisotropy is 42 nm. During the red-wave range, Ni a
ddition almost has no effect on the potential figure of merit (PFOM), howev
er, Ni addition (x approximate to 0.5) may induce satisfactory perpendicula
r anisotropy and coercivity. Although Ni addition reduces the Curie tempera
ture, it also reduces the PFOM in the blue-wave range. (C) 2000 Elsevier Sc
ience S.A. All rights reserved.