Abstract: Described are thin magnetic recording films having "uniaxial anistropy" which are deposited using a magnetic plating head and plating anode, both disposed in cooperative relation adjacent the substrate-cathode, to comprise a "plating transducer". This transducer may be translated across the substrate and so sweep the "magnetic-gap" field thereacross as to align the plated material while it is being deposited.

Abstract: Described are methods and apparatus for plating a thin magnetic recording film having "uniaxial anistropy" wherein a magnetic plating head and plating anode are disposed in cooperative relation adjacent the substrate-cathode to comprise a "plating transducer" which may be translated relative to the substrate so as to sweep the magnetic-gap-field across the substrate to align the plated material as it is deposited. Such an arrangement is especially apt for pre-aligning a film plated along the annular recording tracks of a disk substrate, the disk being rotated past the transducer-anode array which is aligned radially across the disk's recording face.

Abstract: An electrolytic plating solution and method for depositing ferromagnetic recording films therefrom is described. The plating solution has cobaltous ion in the range of from about 3 to 15 grams per liter, nickelous ion in the range of from about 30 to 50 grams per liter, and orthophosphite ion in the range of from about 3 to 12 grams per liter. It is important that the ratio of nickelous ions to cobaltous ions be in the range of from about 3:1 to about 15:1. The plating solution is substantially free of hypophosphite ion, phosphate ion, copper and iron so that phosphite ion is the sole source of phosphorus. Optionally the solution may contain up to about 30 grams per liter of boric acid and up to about 25 grams per liter of formate ion. The pH of the solution is maintained in the range of from about 3.5 to 4.7.