Seed-layer effect on the microstructure and magnetic properties of Co/Pd multilayers

We have investigated Co/Pd multilayers deposited on either Ta or indium tin oxide (ITO) seed layers as a potential perpendicular recording media. We h ave examined the microstructural evolution of the films deposited on the tw o different types of seed layers and related it to the magnetic properties of the films. Ta underlayer produces a strong [111] fiber texture in the mu ltilayer while ITO produces randomly oriented grains. Transmission electron microscopy reveals a microstructure of columnar grains separated by less d ense material at the boundaries for the multilayers with an ITO underlayer. However, the less dense material is absent when using a Ta underlayer. The films exhibited strong perpendicular anisotropy and a higher coercivity of similar to 6800 Oe and squareness of similar to0.99 are obtained for the f ilms deposited on an ITO seed layer. The differences in the value of coerci vity and squareness in the films can be correlated with the differences in the evolution of microstructures for different seed layers. (C) 2001 Americ an Institute of Physics.