Abstract: A magnetic recording medium including at least one Cu-containing magnetic recording layer (CuML) comprised of a Cu-containing magnetic alloy material selected from the group consisting of: (a) a CoCrPtBCu alloy having a composition represented by the formula Co100-x-y-z-?CrxPtyBzCu?, wherein 0<x?20, 0<y?30, 0<z?24, and 0<??10; (b) a CoCrPtBCu alloy having a composition represented by the formula Co100-x-y-z-?CrxPtyBzCu?, wherein 0<x?30, 0<y?30, 7<z?24, and 0<??10; and (c) a CoCrTaCu alloy having a composition represented by the formula Co100-x-y-?CrxTayCu?, containing less than 30 at. % Cr, up to 8 at. % Ta, and up to 10 at. % Cu.

Abstract: The SMNR of a granular perpendicular recording medium is significantly enhanced by incorporating TiO2 at the grain boundaries of the magnetic alloy layer. Embodiments include granular perpendicular recording media comprising CoPt alloys containing 0.1 to 15 at. % TiO2 and a molar ratio of Pt:Co of up to 0.5.

Abstract: A perpendicular magnetic recording medium, comprising: (a) a non-magnetic substrate having a surface; and (b) a layer stack formed over the substrate surface, comprising in overlying sequence from the substrate surface: (i) a magnetically soft underlayer; (ii) an interlayer structure for crystallographically orienting a layer of a perpendicular magnetic recording material formed thereon; and (iii) at least one crystallographically oriented magnetically hard perpendicular recording layer; wherein the magnetically soft underlayer is sputter-deposited at a sufficiently large target-to-substrate spacing and at a sufficiently low gas pressure selected to provide the underlayer with a smooth surface having a low average surface roughness Ra below about 0.3 nm, as measured by Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM).

Abstract: A magnetic recording medium on glass or Al substrates with a film structure of Cr—X or (Cr—X)Ox seedlayer/underlayer/magnetic layer/carbon overcoat, in which the solid solubility of X is at least 3 atomic percent in Cr, the heat of oxide formation of X is less than that of Cr or a lattice tuning capability of X is at least 2% that of Cr and a manufacturing process thereof are disclosed.

Abstract: Corrosion resistant magnetic thin film media are fabricated using a CoCr magnetic layer having a stabilized protective chromium oxide film thereon. Stabilization of the protective chromium oxide film is achieved by incorporating a stabilizing element, such as Mo, V, Mn, Nb, Ni or Si, in the magnetic layer, thereby enabling elimination of the protective overcoat, e.g., C-containing protective overcoat, or forming the protective overcoat at a significantly low thickness of less than about 20 Å, e.g., up to about 1 Å. Embodiments include forming a magnetic layer comprising Co and Cr on an underlayer, and then forming a thin magnetic layer containing Co and Cr with the chromium oxide stabilizing element thereon. Embodiments further include introducing the chromium oxide stabilizing element by diffusion or ion implantation into a sputter deposited Co—Cr magnetic alloy layer.

Abstract: A magnetic recording medium on glass or Al substrates with film structures of CrV/NiAl/CrMo/CoCrTa/CoCrPtTaNbB and CrMo/CoCrTa/CoCrPtTaNbB exhibit high coercivity and high signal-to-medium noise ratio. The medium can be used for high-density longitudinal magnetic recording. Embodiments include forming a sub-seed layer on a NiP-plated aluminum substrate, and sequentially depositing a seed layer, an underlayer, an intermediate layer and a magnetic layer on the substrate. The magnetic layer contains at least six elements, including Co, Cr and B.

Abstract: A magnetic recording medium on glass or Al substrates with film structure of NiAl seed layer/CrMo underlayer/CoCrPtB magnetic layer/carbon overcoat, in which the magnetic layer has a substantially (10.0) crystallographic orientation, exhibits high coercivity, high signal-to-medium noise ratio and low transition jitter. The medium can be used for high-density longitudinal magnetic recording. Embodiments include forming a surface oxidized NiAl sub-seed layer on a glass or glass-ceramic substrate, and sequentially depositing a seed layer of NiAl, an underlayer of Cr or Cr-alloy, such as CrMo, and a CoCrPtB magnetic layer.

Abstract: Magnetic recording media with high coercivity and low noise, suitable for high density longitudinal recording, are formed with a surface oxidized sub-seedlayer between a non-magnetic substrate and seedlayer. Embodiments include depositing a NiAl sub-seedlayer on a glass or glass-ceramic substrate, oxidizing the surface of the NiAl sub-seedlayer, and then sequentially depositing a NiAl seedlayer, Cr or Cr alloy underlayer, e.g., CrMo, an optional intermediate CoCrTa alloy layer, a magnetic layer, e.g., a Co-alloy magnetic layer, and a protective overcoat, e.g., a carbon-containing protective overcoat.

Abstract: Magnetic recording media exhibiting enhanced SMNR are formed with an NiAlOx sub-seedlayer for microstructural control of the underlayer to enable deposition and growth of a magnetic layer exhibiting a (10{overscore (1)}0)-predominant crystallographic orientation and small, uniform grain size. Embodiments include completely reactive sputter depositing a NiAlOx sub-seedlayer on a glass-ceramic substrate and sequentially depositing thereon a NiAl seedlayer, a Cr or Cr-alloy underlayer, e.g., CrMo, a Co—Cr magnetic layer and a protective overcoat, e.g., carbon. The resulting magnetic recording media exhibit a high SMNR, high OW, narrow PW50, improved jitter and improved Hr.