Nanoscale protection for CoCrPt thin film magnetic recording media

In this study, CrMn, CoCrPt-C multilayers and carbon overcoat were sequenti ally deposited on the NiAl coated glass substrate as underlayer, granular m edia layer, and protect layer by DC sputtering. Samples with various interl ayer carbon concentration and top-layer carbon were tested for corrosion re sistance in the 0.5 N HCl saturated vapor environment. The results show tha t surface concentration of cobalt and nickel varies with the carbon content in the magnetic layer. An nonannealed top-layer carbon and low temperature annealed interlayer carbon can provide grain-sized or nanoscale protection to the CoCrPt magnetic media. Carbon concentration within/above the top of CoCrPt-C granular thin film plays an important roles in the suppression of corrosion.