Abstract: A magnetic storage medium according to one embodiment includes a substrate; an onset layer formed above the substrate, the onset layer comprising ruthenium and titanium oxide; and a magnetic oxide layer formed directly on the onset layer. The onset layer is formed directly on a ruthenium underlayer stack having at least one layer of ruthenium formed under a relatively higher pressure and at least one layer of ruthenium formed under a relatively low pressure. A method according to one embodiment includes sputtering using a target of ruthenium and titanium oxide for forming an onset layer above a substrate, the onset layer comprising ruthenium and titanium oxide; and forming a magnetic oxide layer directly on the onset layer. Additional systems and methods are also presented.

Abstract: A magnetic storage medium according to one embodiment includes a substrate; an onset layer formed above the substrate, the onset layer comprising ruthenium and titanium oxide; and a magnetic oxide layer formed directly on the onset layer. A method according to one embodiment includes sputtering using a target of ruthenium and titanium oxide for forming an onset layer above a substrate, the onset layer comprising ruthenium and titanium oxide; and forming a magnetic oxide layer directly on the onset layer. Additional systems and methods are also presented.

Abstract: Fabrication methods for magnetic recording media that use a plasma polish are disclosed. For one exemplary method, a film of a magnetic recording medium is deposited, and a top surface of the film is polished utilizing a plasma formed by a noble gas to smoothen the top surface of the film. A subsequent layer is then deposited onto the polished top surface of the film. A top surface of the subsequent layer has a reduced roughness by being deposited on the polished top surface of the film.

Abstract: Fabrication methods for magnetic recording media that use a plasma polish are disclosed. For one exemplary method, a film of a magnetic recording medium is deposited, and a top surface of the film is polished utilizing a plasma formed by a noble gas to smoothen the top surface of the film. A subsequent layer is then deposited onto the polished top surface of the film. A top surface of the subsequent layer has a reduced roughness by being deposited on the polished top surface of the film.

Abstract: A method is described for improving recording performance of a perpendicular media. The method includes controlling the anisotropy levels in different sublayers of the magnetic recording layers of the perpendicular media. Further, the different sublayers thicknesses can be altered to match the media to a particular head.

Abstract: Perpendicular recording media with sublayers of dual oxide dopant magnetic materials are disclosed. The magnetic layer may comprise multiple sublayers of magnetic materials. In each sublayer, dual oxide dopants are incorporated. The compositions of the sublayers can be the same or different depending on the application. The magnetic layer may be deposited using a target comprising a mixture of CoPtCrB and dual oxides as dopants. The layer deposited with such targets can be the entire magnetic layer or a sublayer.

Abstract: A magnetic storage medium according to one embodiment includes a substrate; an onset layer formed above the substrate, the onset layer comprising ruthenium and titanium oxide; and a magnetic oxide layer formed directly on the onset layer. A method according to one embodiment includes sputtering using a target of ruthenium and titanium oxide for forming an onset layer above a substrate, the onset layer comprising ruthenium and titanium oxide; and forming a magnetic oxide layer directly on the onset layer. Additional systems and methods are also presented.

Abstract: Perpendicular recording media with sublayers of dual oxide dopant magnetic materials are disclosed. The magnetic layer may comprise multiple sublayers of magnetic materials. In each sublayer, dual oxide dopants are incorporated. The compositions of the sublayers can be the same or different depending on the application. The magnetic layer may be deposited using a target comprising a mixture of CoPtCrB and dual oxides as dopants. The layer deposited with such targets can be the entire magnetic layer or a sublayer.

Abstract: A method is described for improving recording performance of a perpendicular media. The method includes controlling the anisotropy levels in different sublayers of the magnetic recording layers of the perpendicular media. Further, the different sublayers thicknesses can be altered to match the media to a particular head.

Abstract: Perpendicular magnetic recording media and methods of fabricating perpendicular magnetic recording media are described. The perpendicular magnetic recording medium of one embodiment includes an interlayer, an underlayer, and a perpendicular magnetic recording layer. The interlayer is formed from a NiWCr alloy.

Abstract: Perpendicular magnetic recording (PMR) media and methods of fabricating PMR media are described. The PMR media includes, among other layers, a perpendicular magnetic recording layer and a cap layer that are exchange coupled. The magnetic recording layer and the cap layer may be exchange coupled through direct contact, or may be exchange coupled over a coupling layer. In either embodiment, the cap layer is formed from a CoPtCr alloy having a concentration of Cr in the range of about 15-22 at %.

Abstract: Perpendicular magnetic recording media and methods of fabricating perpendicular magnetic recording media are described. The perpendicular magnetic recording medium of one embodiment includes an interlayer, an underlayer, and a perpendicular magnetic recording layer. The interlayer is formed from a NiWCr alloy.

Abstract: A thin film metal alloy magnetic recording disk has an improved protective overcoat that creates a low level of static friction in a contact start/stop disk drive. The disk has an amorphous carbon overcoat containing a transition liquid metal interlayer (TLMI). The carbon overcoat is formed by depositing an initial amorphous carbon layer to a first thickness, then depositing an interlayer material of a low-melting point metal or metal alloy (such as In or In--Nb) while maintaining the temperature of the disk substrate above the melting point of the interlayer material, and then depositing a top additional layer of amorphous carbon. Because the initial carbon layer presents a nonwetting surface, the interlayer material "balls up" on the carbon and forms discontinuous spheres of the interlayer material. The additional top layer of carbon bonds to the initial carbon layer and to the metal or metal alloy spheres.

Abstract: A magnetic storage medium is composed of a non-wettable substrate upon which a transient liquid metal layer is deposited and maintained as a distribution of discontinuous liquid features. An intermediate metal layer is subsequently deposited in-situ in an atmosphere comprising oxygen and at least one inert gas. A magnetic layer is then deposited on the intermediate metal layer. The surface topology and magnetic characteristics of the medium are controlled by adjusting the thickness of the TLM layer and the conditions under which the TLM layer, intermediate metal layer, and magnetic layer are deposited.