CoCr-based target alloys with increased Cr content and additions of Pt
or Ta are being used more frequently for the sputter deposition of ma
gnetic recording layers. Targets made from such alloys were investigat
ed regarding their microstructure and Pass Through Flux (PTF). Often t
hese targets have Curie Temperatures (T-c) not much above RT, some are
in fact paramagnetic. Depending on T-c, targets become quite sensitiv
e to changes in composition or operation temperature. The influence of
the alloy's Cr, Pt, and Ta content on T-c and adequate measures to ac
hieve high and stable PTF are discussed.