Abstract: A heat enabled magnetic media having a composite magnetic recording layer structure that includes first and second magnetic layers and an exchange coupling layer sandwiched between the first and second magnetic layers. The exchange coupling layer has a reduced Curie temperature that allows the magnetic layers to become decoupled a lower temperature. This reduced Curie temperature can be achieved the addition of an alloying element such as Ni or Cu into the exchange coupling layer. Therefore, the exchange coupling layer can be constructed of an alloy such as FePtNi FePtCu, and the magnetic layers can be constructed of a material such as FePt.

Abstract: A method of making a thermally-assisted recording (TAR) disk includes etching an initial layer of generally spherically shaped FePt grains encapsulated by shells of graphitic carbon layers. The etching partially or completely removes the carbon layers on the tops of the shells, exposing the FePt grains while leaving carbon segregant material between the FePt grains. Additional Fe, Pt and C are then simultaneously deposited. The additional Fe and Pt grow on the exposed FePt grains and increase the vertical height of the grains, resulting in growth of columnar FePt grains. The additional C forms on top of the grains that together with the intergranular carbon form larger carbon shells. The resulting FePt grains thus have a generally columnar shape with perpendicular magnetic anisotropy, rather than a generally spherical shape. Lateral grain isolation is maintained by the carbon segregant remaining between the grains.

Abstract: A vacuum planarization method substantially improves the surface roughness of a thermally-assisted recording (TAR) disk that has a recording layer (RL) formed of a substantially chemically-ordered FePt alloy or FePt-X alloy (or CoPt alloy or CoPt-X alloy) and a segregant, like SiO2. A first amorphous carbon overcoat (OC1) is deposited on the RL and etched with a non-chemically reactive plasma to remove at least one-half the thickness of OC1. Then a second amorphous carbon overcoat (OC2) is deposited on the etched OC1. The OC2 is then reactive-ion-etched, for example in a H2/Ar plasma, to remove at least one-half the thickness of OC2. A thin third overcoat (OC3) may be deposited on the etched OC2.

Abstract: A heat enabled magnetic media having a composite magnetic recording layer structure that includes first and second magnetic layers and an exchange coupling layer sandwiched between the first and second magnetic layers. The exchange coupling layer has a reduced Curie temperature that allows the magnetic layers to become decoupled a lower temperature. This reduced Curie temperature can be achieved the addition of an alloying element such as Ni or Cu into the exchange coupling layer. Therefore, the exchange coupling layer can be constructed of an alloy such as FePtNi FePtCu, and the magnetic layers can be constructed of a material such as FePt.

Abstract: A magnetic media has a substrate with an underlayer and a seed layer on the underlayer. The seed layer has a non-continuous metallic layer with a cubed crystalline lattice that is 001 textured, and has a lattice mismatch within 15% of a crystalline lattice structure of FePt with a metallic additive. This structure defines nucleation sites with an established epitaxial interface.

Abstract: A magnetic media for magnetic data recording having a plurality of magnetic grains protected by thin layers of graphitic carbon. The layers of graphitic carbon are formed in a manner similar to onion skins on an onion and can be constructed as single monatomic layers of carbon. The thin layers of graphitic carbon can be formed as layers of graphene or as fullerenes that either cover or partially encapsulate the magnetic gains. The layers of graphitic carbon provide excellent protection against corrosion and wear and greatly reduce magnetic spacing for improved magnetic performance.

Abstract: A method for making a bit-patterned-media (BPM) magnetic recording disk includes depositing a FePt (or CoPt) alloy recording layer, and then depositing a sealing layer on the FePt layer before high-temperature annealing. The high-temperature annealing causes the FePt to become substantially chemically-ordered in the L10 phase. After annealing, the sealing layer is removed. The sealing layer prevents nanoclustering and agglomeration of the FePt material at the surface of the FePt layer and the sealing layer, which would result in undesirable high surface roughness of the FePt, making patterning of the FePt layer difficult. The FePt layer can be patterned into the discrete islands for the BPM disk either before deposition of the sealing layer or after deposition and removal of the sealing layer. After patterning and removal of the sealing layer, the disk protective overcoat is deposited over the discrete data islands.

Abstract: A method for making a bit-patterned-media (BPM) magnetic recording disk includes depositing a FePt (or CoPt) alloy recording layer, and then depositing a sealing layer on the FePt layer before high-temperature annealing. The high-temperature annealing causes the FePt to become substantially chemically-ordered in the L10 phase. After annealing, the sealing layer is removed. The sealing layer prevents nanoclustering and agglomeration of the FePt material at the surface of the FePt layer and the sealing layer, which would result in undesirable high surface roughness of the FePt, making patterning of the FePt layer difficult. The FePt layer can be patterned into the discrete islands for the BPM disk either before deposition of the sealing layer or after deposition and removal of the sealing layer. After patterning and removal of the sealing layer, the disk protective overcoat is deposited over the discrete data islands.