Characteristics of Ba-ferrite thin films for magnetic disk media application

The Ba-ferrite thin films prepared by sputtering have been found suitable for high density magnetic disk media application for the properties such as their high mechanical hardness and chemical stability, and for the easiness to synthesize the films with perpendicularly oriented easy magnetization axis. A disadvantage of this film in comparison with the currently used CoCrTaPt film is its larger grain size, which is caused by elevated temperature necessary for crystallization. This paper presents the methods of reducing both the temperature of crystallization and the grain size. Considerations have been given to the surface roughness of the films, the size of the grains and their switching (or activation) volume. Magnetic properties and performance characteristics of prepared disk medium with fundamental design idea have been discussed. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science BY All rights reserved.