Abstract: Magnetic recording media including an interlayer configured to reduce lattice mismatch with adjacent layers of the media, such as an adjacent seed layer or an adjacent underlayer. In one example, an interlayer alloy is provided that includes tungsten (W) along with Cobalt (Co), Chromium (Cr), and Ruthenium (Ru). The atomic percentages of W and Ru within the interlayer are selected so that the amount lattice mismatch between the interlayer and its adjacent layers is below a preselected amount, such as below 3% as quantified by d-spacing. In some examples, the atomic percentage of Ru is greater than 25% and the atomic percentage of W is 2-10%. Methods of fabricating the magnetic recording media are also provided.

Abstract: Described are chemical mechanical processing (CMP) compositions and related methods, including compositions and methods for polishing nickel-containing substrate surfaces such as nickel phosphorus (NiP) surfaces for hard disk applications, wherein the compositions contain highly irregular-shaped fused silica abrasive particles.

Abstract: A three dimensional magnetic recording medium can consist of a first recording layer vertically stacked with a second recording layer. The first stacked recording layer may be tuned with at least one discrete track physically separating multiple data tracks in the first recording layer or tuned by being configured as a bit patterned media.

Abstract: A sputtering target for a magnetic recording film which contains carbon, the sputtering target is characterized in that the ratio (IG/ID) of peak intensities of the G-band to the D-band in Raman scattering spectrometry is 5.0 or less. The sputtering target for a magnetic recording film, which contains carbon powders dispersed therein, makes it possible to produce a magnetic thin film having a granular structure without using an expensive apparatus for co-sputtering; and in particular, the target is an Fe—Pt-based sputtering target. Carbon is a material which is difficult to sinter and has a problem that carbon particles are apt to form agglomerates. There is hence a problem that carbon masses are readily detached during sputtering to generate a large number of particles on the film after sputtering. The high-density sputtering target can solve these problems.

Abstract: A perpendicular magnetic recording medium exhibits reduced noise and improved performance in such measures as SN ratio, and can realize high magnetic recording densities. In the perpendicular magnetic recording medium, at least a first nonmagnetic intermediate layer, second nonmagnetic intermediate layer, and magnetic recording layer are stacked in order on a nonmagnetic substrate. The first nonmagnetic intermediate layer is formed from a CoCrRuW alloy, and the second nonmagnetic intermediate layer is formed from an Ru-base alloy.

Abstract: A magnetic material contains multiple metal grains constituted by soft magnetic alloy and oxide film formed on a surface of the metal grains, which soft magnetic alloy includes Fe and a metal element that oxidizes more easily than Fe, wherein the magnetic material forms a grain compact having first bonding parts where adjacent metal grains are contacted and directly bonded together, second bonding parts where adjacent metal grains are bonded together via the oxide film formed around the entire surface of said adjacent metal grains other than the first bonding parts, and voids formed in an area other than the first and second bonding parts and surrounded by the oxide film.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, in a method of manufacturing a magnetic recording medium which is configured such that a ferromagnetic recording part is formed on a substrate in a desired track pattern or a desired bit pattern, a ferromagnetic film is formed on the substrate, and then a mask is formed on the ferromagnetic film, the mask having an opening above a region for isolating the ferromagnetic film between tracks or bits. Subsequently, a B-based gas is radiated on the region of the ferromagnetic film through the opening of the mask, thereby increasing a B content of the region to nonmagnetize the region.

Abstract: A magnetic recording medium 1 includes a substrate 11; and a metallic glassy layer 12 that is arranged on the substrate 11 and has a plurality of convex portions 12A and concave portions 12B. The metallic glassy layer 12 has a chemical composition represented by any one of the formulae (1) to (3): FemPtnSixByPz (wherein, 20<m?60 at %, 20<n?55 at %, 11?x<19 at %, 0?y<8 at %, and 0<z<8 at %)??(1); Fe55Pt25(SixByPz)20 (wherein, 11?x<19 at %, 0?y<8 at %, and0 <z<8 at %)??(2); and (Fe0.55Pt0.25Si0.16B0.02P0.02)100-xMx (wherein, 0<X?6 at %; and M represents an element or a combination of any two or more of the elements selected from Zr, Nb, Ta, Hf, Ti, Mo, W, V, Cr, Mn, Al, Y, Ag,and rare earth elements.)??(3).

Abstract: An apparatus includes a substrate and a magnetic layer coupled to the substrate. The magnetic layer includes an alloy that has magnetic hardness that is a function of the degree of chemical ordering of the alloy. The degree of chemical ordering of the alloy in a first portion of the magnetic layer is greater than the degree of chemical ordering of the alloy in a second portion of the magnetic layer, and the first portion of the magnetic layer is closer to the substrate than the second portion of the magnetic layer.

Abstract: FePt-based heat assisted magnetic recording (HAMR) media comprising a thick granular FePt:C magnetic recording layer capable of maintaining a single layer film having desirable magnetic properties. According to one embodiment, the thick granular FePt:C magnetic recording layer comprises a plurality of carbon doped FePt alloy columnar grains, where the plurality of carbon doped FePt alloy columnar grains comprise a carbon gradient along the thickness of the hard magnetic recording layer.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming magnetic media substrates is provided. A patterned resist layer is formed on a substrate having a magnetically susceptible layer. A conformal protective layer is formed over the patterned resist layer to prevent degradation of the pattern during subsequent processing. The substrate is subjected to an energy treatment wherein energetic species penetrate portions of the patterned resist and conformal protective layer according to the pattern formed in the patterned resist, impacting the magnetically susceptible layer and modifying a magnetic property thereof. The patterned resist and conformal protective layers are then removed, leaving a magnetic substrate having a pattern of magnetic properties with a topography that is substantially unchanged.

Abstract: Magnetic layers are described that include the use of magnetic grains and non-magnetic grain boundaries with hybrid additives. Hybrid additives include the use of at least two different additives in the composition of the grain boundaries of a magnetic layer in magnetic recording media. The use of hybrid additives in the grain boundaries results in improved recording media. Methods for forming magnetic layers and magnetic recording media with the hybrid additive grain boundaries are also described.

Abstract: A magnetic recording medium includes a non-magnetic granular layer, and a recording layer provided on the non-magnetic granular layer, wherein the recording layer includes a first granular magnetic layer provided on the non-magnetic granular layer, and a second granular magnetic layer provided on the first granular magnetic layer, and a non-magnetic material magnetically separating metal grains of the non-magnetic granular layer is different from a non-magnetic material magnetically separating magnetic grains of the first granular magnetic layer.

Abstract: Surface flatness of magnetic recording medium to which a magnetic recording layer made of L10 FePt magnetic alloy thin film, with distance between a magnetic head and a magnetic recording medium sufficiently reduced. The magnetic recording layer includes: magnetic layers containing a magnetic alloy including Fe and Pt as principal materials; and one non-magnetic material selected from carbon, oxide and nitride. The first magnetic layer disposed closer to a substrate has a granular structure in which magnetic alloy grains including FePt alloy as the principal material are separated from grain boundaries including the non-magnetic material as the principal material. The second magnetic layer disposed closer to the surface than the first magnetic layer is fabricated so as to have a homogeneous structure in which an FePt alloy and the non-magnetic material are mixed in a state finer than diameters of the FePt magnetic alloy grains in the first magnetic layer.

Abstract: A magnetic storage medium is formed of magnetic nanoparticles that are encapsulated within nanotubes (e.g., carbon nanotubes), which are arranged in a substrate to facilitate the reading and writing of information by a read/write head. The substrate may be flexible or rigid. Information is stored on the magnetic nanoparticles via the read/write head of a storage device. These magnetic nanoparticles are arranged into data tracks to store information through encapsulation within the carbon nanotubes. As carbon nanotubes are bendable, the carbon nanotubes may be arranged on flexible or rigid substrates, such as a polymer tape or disk for flexible media, or a glass substrate for rigid disk. A polymer may assist holding the nanoparticle filled carbon-tubes to the substrate.

Abstract: A magnetic disk 10 for use in perpendicular magnetic recording has at least a magnetic recording layer on a substrate 1. The magnetic recording layer is composed of a ferromagnetic layer 5 of a granular structure containing silicon (Si) or an oxide of silicon (Si) between crystal grains containing cobalt (Co), a stacked layer 7 having a first layer containing cobalt (Co) or a Co alloy and a second layer containing palladium (Pd) or platinum (Pt), and a spacer layer 6 interposed between the ferromagnetic layer 5 and the stacked layer 7. After forming the ferromagnetic layer 5 on the substrate 1 by sputtering in an argon gas atmosphere, the stacked layer 7 is formed by sputtering in the argon gas atmosphere at a gas pressure lower than that used when forming the ferromagnetic layer 5.

Abstract: In order to provide a magnetic recording medium having excellent electromagnetic conversion characteristics, a magnetic recording medium (10) is provided with a substrate (12), and a magnetic recording layer (20) formed on the substrate (12). The magnetic recording layer (20) is provided with a granular layer (32), i.e., a magnetic layer, including magnetic grains and a nonmagnetic material surrounding the magnetic grains in a section parallel to the main surface of the substrate. The ratio of the long diameter to the short diameter of each magnetic grain contained in the granular layer (32) is calculated in the section. In the histogram of such ratio, a half width at half maximum of the histogram is 0.6 or less and the variance of grain diameters of the magnetic grains in the section is 20% or less of the average grain diameter of the magnetic grains.

Abstract: A composite hard magnetic recording layer for a magnetic storage comprises a hard magnetic layer and a capping layer. The composite recording layer has a crystal structure where crystal grains include a portion within the magnetic layer and a portion within the capping layer.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a magnetic recording medium includes a substrate, a soft magnetic layer, an underlayer, a magnetic recording layer, and a protective layer, wherein the magnetic recording layer is provided with a pattern including recording portions and non-recording portions, the non-recording portions have a composition that is equal to a composition obtained by demagnetizing the recording portions, the non-recording portions contain at least one metal element selected from the group consisting of vanadium and zirconium and at least one element selected from the group consisting of nitrogen, carbon, boron and oxygen, and the at least one element selected from the group consisting of nitrogen, carbon, boron and oxygen is contained in the non-recording portions at a higher content than the content of the at least one element selected from the group consisting of nitrogen, carbon, boron and oxygen in the recording portions.

Abstract: A magnetic stack includes multiple granular layers, at least one of the multiple granular layers is a magnetic layer that includes exchange coupled magnetic grains separated by a segregant having Ms greater than 100 emu/cc. Each of the multiple granular layers have anisotropic thermal conductivity.

Abstract: A perpendicular magnetic recording medium adapted for high recording density and high data recording rate comprises a non-magnetic substrate having at least one surface with a layer stack formed thereon, the layer stack including a perpendicular recording layer containing a plurality of columnar-shaped magnetic grains extending perpendicularly to the substrate surface for a length, with a first end distal the surface and a second end proximal the surface, wherein each of the magnetic grains has: (1) a gradient of perpendicular magnetic anisotropy field Hk extending along its length between the first end and second ends; and (2) predetermined local exchange coupling strengths along the length.

Abstract: A magnetic storage medium is formed of magnetic nanoparticles that are encapsulated within nanotubes (e.g., carbon nanotubes).

Abstract: Magnetic layers are described that include the use of magnetic grains and non-magnetic grain boundaries with hybrid additives. Hybrid additives include the use of at least two different additives in the composition of the grain boundaries of a magnetic layer in magnetic recording media. The use of hybrid additives in the grain boundaries results in improved recording media. Methods for forming magnetic layers and magnetic recording media with the hybrid additive grain boundaries are also described.

Abstract: A magnetic recording medium 1 includes a substrate 11; and a metallic glassy layer 12 that is arranged on the substrate 11 and has a plurality of convex portions 12A and concave portions 12B. The metallic glassy layer 12 has a chemical composition represented by any one of the formulae (1) to (3): FemPtnSixByPz (wherein, 20<m?60 at %, 20<n?55 at %, 11?x<19 at %, 0?y<8 at %, and 0<z<8 at %) (1); Fe55Pt25(SixByPz)20 (wherein, 11?x<19 at %, 0?y<8 at %, and 0<z<8 at %) (2); and (Fe0.55Pt0.25Si0.16B0.02P0.02)100-xMx (wherein 0<X?6 at %; and M represents an element or a combination of an two or more of the elements selected from Zr, Nb, Ta, Hf, Ti, Mo, W, V, Cr, Mn, Al, Y, Ag, and rare earth elements.) (3).

Abstract: Magnetic layers are described that include the use of magnetic grains and non-magnetic grain boundaries with hybrid additives. Hybrid additives include the use of at least two different additives in the composition of the grain boundaries of a magnetic layer in magnetic recording media. The use of hybrid additives in the grain boundaries results in improved recording media. Methods for forming magnetic layers and magnetic recording media with the hybrid additive grain boundaries are also described.

Abstract: A magnetic storage medium is formed of magnetic nanoparticles that are encapsulated within nanotubes (e.g., carbon nanotubes), which are arranged in a substrate to facilitate the reading and writing of information by a read/write head. The substrate may be flexible or rigid. Information is stored on the magnetic nanoparticles via the read/write head of a storage device. These magnetic nanoparticles are arranged into data tracks to store information through encapsulation within the carbon nanotubes. As carbon nanotubes are bendable, the carbon nanotubes may be arranged on flexible or rigid substrates, such as a polymer tape or disk for flexible media, or a glass substrate for rigid disk. A polymer may assist holding the nano-particle filled carbon-tubes to the substrate.

Abstract: A magnetic recording medium having a substrate, a first magnetic layer and a second magnetic layer, in this order, wherein an exchange coupling in the first magnetic layer is lower than an exchange coupling in the second magnetic layer, and the first and second magnetic layers are in a film stack so that magnetic grains in the first magnetic layer are exchange coupled by a pathway through the second magnetic layer is disclosed. A method of manufacturing a magnetic recording medium by obtaining a substrate, depositing a first magnetic layer at a first sputter gas pressure and depositing a second magnetic layer at a second sputter gas pressure, in this order, wherein the first sputter gas pressure is higher than the second sputter gas pressure, and an exchange coupling in the first magnetic layer is lower than an exchange coupling in the second magnetic layer is also disclosed.

Abstract: A perpendicular magnetic recording medium is disclosed in which a soft magnetic layer used as a low Ku layer can be stably produced with high performance. Thermal stabilization of magnetization, ease of writing by a magnetic head, and SNR also are improved. A method of manufacturing the medium is disclosed. The perpendicular magnetic recording medium includes at least a nonmagnetic underlayer, a magnetic recording layer, and a protective layer formed in this order on a nonmagnetic substrate. The magnetic recording layer includes a low Ku layer having a relatively small perpendicular magnetic anisotropy constant (Ku value), and a high Ku layer in which the Ku value is relatively large, and the low Ku layer includes a soft magnetic thin film including an iron group element-based microcrystal structure, in which a nitrogen element is added to a ferromagnetic material mainly containing one of metals of Co, Ni and Fe or an alloy of the metal.

Abstract: A thin film structure including a plurality of grains of a first magnetic material having a first Curie temperature embedded in a matrix of a second material having a second Curie temperature, wherein the second Curie temperature is lower than the first Curie temperature and the second material comprises one or more of an oxide, a sulfide, a nitride, and a boride.

Abstract: A magnetic storage medium is formed of magnetic nanoparticles that are encapsulated within carbon nanotubes, which are arranged in a substrate to facilitate the reading and writing of information by a read/write head. The substrate may be flexible or rigid. Information is stored on the magnetic nanoparticles via the read/write head of a storage device. These magnetic nanoparticles are arranged into data tracks to store information through encapsulation within the carbon nanotubes. As carbon nanotubes are bendable, the carbon nanotubes may be arranged on flexible or rigid substrates, such as a polymer tape or disk for flexible media, or a glass substrate for rigid disk. A polymer may assist holding the nano-particle filled carbon-tubes to the substrate.

Abstract: A method for improving magnetic grain segregation in perpendicular recording media includes providing a substrate comprising a rigid support structure, depositing a soft underlayer on top of the substrate depositing an intermediate layer on top of the soft underlayer, providing a plurality of prospective segregants, determining the surface energies and the heat of formation of the prospective segregants and selecting the prospective segregant with a low surface energy and a high heat of formation. The method also includes providing at least one layer with surface energies progressively increasing to minimize the difference between the surface energy of a carbon overcoat and the segregant.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a multilayered underlayer including a first underlayer containing Cu aligned in a (111) plane and a second underlayer formed on the Cu underlayer and containing Cu and nitrogen as main components is formed.

Abstract: An improved structure for the construction of perpendicular recording media is disclosed. The structure includes a perpendicular recording layer with at least two oxide sublayers or a lower sublayer of a non-oxide. One structure includes an upper sublayer comprised of a Silicon-oxide, while a lower sublayer is comprised of a Tantalum-oxide. The structures provide for increased coercivity and corrosion resistance.

Abstract: A perpendicular magnetic recording medium adapted for high recording density and high data recording rate comprises a non-magnetic substrate having at least one surface with a layer stack formed thereon, the layer stack including a perpendicular recording layer containing a plurality of columnar-shaped magnetic grains extending perpendicularly to the substrate surface for a length, with a first end distal the surface and a second end proximal the surface, wherein each of the magnetic grains has: (1) a gradient of perpendicular magnetic anisotropy field Hk extending along its length between the first end and second ends; and (2) predetermined local exchange coupling strengths along the length.

Abstract: A magnetic storage medium is formed of magnetic nanoparticles that are encapsulated within carbon nanotubes, which are arranged in a substrate to facilitate the reading and writing of information by a read/write head. The substrate may be flexible or rigid. Information is stored on the magnetic nanoparticles via the read/write head of a storage device. These magnetic nanoparticles are arranged into data tracks to store information through encapsulation within the carbon nanotubes. As carbon nanotubes are bendable, the carbon nanotubes may be arranged on flexible or rigid substrates, such as a polymer tape or disk for flexible media, or a glass substrate for rigid disk. A polymer may assist holding the nano-particle filled carbon-tubes to the substrate.

Abstract: Disclosed are magnetic thin films, sputtering targets and vapor deposition materials, each of which is composed of 40-60 at % of Pt, 40-60 at % of Fe, 0.05-1.0 at % of P and furthermore depending on the occasions, 0.4-19.5 at % of Cu and/or Ni.

Abstract: A method for producing a recording medium provides good throughput for mass production and reduces cost. The method facilitates the control of the shape or dimensions of a pattern obtained by microfabrication, allows an accurate pattern transfer, and provides superior uniformity. A magnetic layer is formed on a substrate. A nano-particle film 16 is formed on a desired portion on the magnetic layer. Using the nano-particle film as a mask, the magnetic layer is cut. A micropattern with concavities and convexities is formed on the magnetic layer by removing the nano-particle film.

Abstract: A magnetic recording medium with a granular magnetic recording layer excellent in corrosion resistance is provided. In one embodiment, after formation of, on a non-magnetic substrate, an NiTa adhesion layer, a soft magnetic layer, a Ta intermediate layer, an Ru intermediate layer, and a Co alloy granular magnetic recording layer, hydrogen (H2) plasma processing is applied to the surface of the Co alloy granular magnetic recording layer. Then, a DLC protective film layer is formed and a lubricant layer is coated.

Abstract: A corrosion-resistant granular magnetic recording medium with improved recording performance comprises a non-magnetic substrate having a surface; and a layer stack on the substrate surface, including, in order from the surface: a granular magnetic recording layer; an intermediate magnetic de-coupling layer; and a corrosion preventing magnetic cap layer. The intermediate magnetic de-coupling layer has an optimal thickness and/or composition for: (1) promoting magnetic exchange de-coupling between the granular magnetic recording layer and the magnetic cap layer; and (2) reducing the dynamic closure field (Hcl) for determining writeability and eraseability of the medium. Grain boundaries of the magnetic cap layer are substantially oxide-free, and have a greater density and lower average porosity and surface roughness than those of the granular magnetic recording layer.

Abstract: A magnetic storage medium is formed of magnetic nanoparticles that are encapsulated within carbon nanotubes, which are arranged in a substrate to facilitate the reading and writing of information by a read/write head. The substrate may be flexible or rigid. Information is stored on the magnetic nanoparticles via the read/write head of a storage device. These magnetic nanoparticles are arranged into data tracks to store information through encapsulation within the carbon nanotubes. As carbon nanotubes are bendable, the carbon nanotubes may be arranged on flexible or rigid substrates, such as a polymer tape or disk for flexible media, or a glass substrate for rigid disk. A polymer may assist holding the nano-particle filled carbon-tubes to the substrate.

Abstract: A structure has a substrate and a layer containing a magnetic material dispersed in a nonmagnetic material, the magnetic material being comprised of first crystal particles having an easy magnetization axis crytsllographically oriented in the direction of the normal line of the substrate and forming columns perpendicular to the substrate and second crystal particles having a crystallographic orientation in a direction different from the direction of the crystallographic orientation in the first crystal particles, and the ratio of the second crystal particles to the entire crystal particles in the columns ranging from 10% to 50% by weight.

Abstract: A magnetic recording tape includes an elongated substrate and a magnetic film coated over the elongated substrate, where the magnetic film includes a first magnetic recording layer. The first magnetic recording layer includes particles having a diameter that is between a factor from about 2 to 5 greater than a thickness of the first magnetic recording layer.

Abstract: A perpendicular magnetic recording medium having a substrate, an amorphous soft underlayer of thickness 30 nm or greater, and a granular magnetic recording layer for perpendicular recording is disclosed. The granular magnetic recording layer includes a non-magnetic region between magnetic grains, wherein the non-magnetic region includes metal nitride or metal carbide and provides exchange decoupling between the magnetic grains. The perpendicular recording medium of this invention reduces DC noise and increases media signal-to-noise ratio; it reduces surface roughness, which in turn reduces the head-to-media spacing and the head-to-amorphous soft underlayer spacing.

Abstract: A perpendicular magnetic recording medium is disclosed that exhibits reduced media noise and enhanced thermal stability of recorded magnetization, and thus provides a medium of high recording density and excellent read-write performance. The perpendicular magnetic recording medium comprises a magnetic film on a nonmagnetic substrate. The magnetic film is a multilayered lamination film composed of alternately laminated first magnetic layers of cobalt and second magnetic layers of palladium, the second magnetic layers containing SiO2. By setting a ratio of Ku2 to Ku to a value not smaller than a specified value, the compatibility between the ease of writing-in to the perpendicular magnetic recording medium by a head and the thermal stability of recorded magnetization is more improved.

Abstract: Disclosed are granular magnetic recording media with improved grain segregation and corrosion resistance, comprising a non-magnetic substrate and at least one granular magnetic recording layer formed over the surface, comprised of at least one ferromagnetic material including magnetic grains with grain boundaries and a non-magnetic material comprised of a mixture of metal oxides. Also disclosed are methods for fabricating the improved media.

Abstract: A perpendicular magnetic recording medium has a magnetic recording layer and laminated magnetic layers composed of different materials. In a first magnetic layer of the magnetic recording layer, ferromagnetic grains are surrounded by a nonmagnetic grain boundary region composed principally of oxide and/or nitride. In a second magnetic layer of the magnetic recording layer, ferromagnetic grains are surrounded by a nonmagnetic grain boundary region composed principally of chromium. The recording medium has an intermediate layer composed of a material having hcp or fcc structure. Advantageously, a heating process is conducted after forming the first magnetic layer and before forming the second magnetic layer. The medium achieves improvement in electromagnetic conversion characteristics and simultaneously improvement in corrosion resistance to provide a perpendicular magnetic recording medium with high recording density and simultaneously high reliability.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a patterned media includes a magnetic film processed into patterns for tracks, servo zones or data zones, and a nonmagnetic filling material filled between patterns of the magnetic film for the tracks, servo zones or data zones and including a base material and a barrier material formed of a metal that does not constitute the base material.

Abstract: A magnetic recording medium including a support having thereon a magnetic layer and a non-magnetic layer in this order, the magnetic layer being formed by applying and drying a magnetic nanoparticle dispersion liquid in which magnetic nanoparticles having a number average particle diameter of 20 nm or less are dispersed, applying the non-magnetic layer onto the magnetic layer, fixing the magnetic nanoparticles, and carrying out annealing for ferromagnetization, and the non-magnetic layer containing a gelatinous composition formed by gelating at least one selected from hydrolysates of the silane compound represented by (R10)m—Si(X)4-m and partial condensates thereof, wherein R10 represents a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl group, or a substituted or unsubstituted aryl group; X represents a hydroxy group or hydrolyzable group; and m represents an integer from 1 to 3.

Abstract: A magnetic recording medium according to one aspect of the present invention includes a substrate; an underlayer positioned on the substrate and made of a material having a body-centered-cubic crystalline structure or a B2 crystalline structure; a first intermediate layer positioned on the underlayer and having a hexagonal closest packing crystalline structure, and being made of Co or a Co alloy; a second intermediate layer positioned on the first intermediate layer and having a hexagonal closest packing crystalline structure, and being made of a material selected from the group consisting of Ru, Ti, Re, Zr, Hf, and a Ru alloy; and a magnetic layer positioned on the second intermediate layer and including multiple magnetic grains each having a hexagonal closest packing crystalline structure and an axis of easy magnetization oriented in a direction substantially parallel to a surface of the substrate, wherein the magnetic grains are isolated from each other.

Abstract: An exemplary magnetic recording medium with a high recording density and a low medium noise is provided. The magnetic recording medium includes a non-magnetic substrate, a soft magnetic layer, an oxygen-containing intermediate layer, and a perpendicular magnetic recording layer, arranged in contact with one another, in that particular order. The perpendicular magnetic recording layer has a composite layer structure with ferromagnetic grains and a matrix of an amorphous carbon-containing structure. The amorphous carbon-containing structure is dispersed so as to essentially surround the individual ferromagnetic grains, within the perpendicular magnetic recording layer. Methods for making such magnetic recording media also are provided.