Role of crystallographic structure on magnetization reversal of (1010) and(11(2)over-bar0) textured thin film media

In this study we examine the role of crystallographic structure on the magn etization reversal of two CoCrPtTa thin films grown on different underlayer s which provide either a [ 11 (2) over bar0] or a [10 (1) over bar0] prefer red orientation. We report synchrotron x-ray measurements and find that the stacking fault density in a CoCrPtTa thin film with a (10 (1) over bar0) t exture is greater than that in a sample having the (11 (2) over bar0) bicry stal texture (13% compared to 8%). However, we also find that the degree of in-plane texture is poorer in the (10 (1) over bar0) film. We report exten sive magnetic measurements on the two films and find that increased switchi ng at low fields correlates well with the observed level of fcc-like region s. In particular we show that a significant increase in magnetic viscosity at low fields in the (10 (1) over bar0) film is most probably due to the in creased level of low anisotropy fcc-like regions of Co formed by the stacki ng faults rather than small grains or poor texture. This is supported to so me extent by the bimodal behavior observed in the activation volumes for th e [10 (1) over bar0] film, one peak being observed as expected around the c oercivity (similar to3 kOe) and another at a much lower field (similar to 1 .2 kOe). (C) 2001 American Institute of Physics.