Abstract: An embodiment of the invention relates to a perpendicular magnetic recording medium comprising (1) a substrate, (2) an interlayer comprising hexagonal columns and (3) a magnetic layer, wherein the magnetic layer is deposited applying a bias voltage to the substrate such that the magnetic layer comprises magnetic grains having substantially no sub-grains within the magnetic layer, and the magnetic layer has perpendicular magnetic anisotropy.

Abstract: An embodiment of the invention relates to a perpendicular magnetic recording medium comprising (1) a substrate, (2) an interlayer comprising hexagonal columns and (3) a magnetic layer, wherein the magnetic layer is deposited applying a bias voltage to the substrate such that the magnetic layer comprises magnetic grains having substantially no sub-grains within the magnetic layer, and the magnetic layer has perpendicular magnetic anisotropy.

Abstract: Provided herein, is an apparatus that includes a nonmagnetic substrate having a surface; and a plurality of overlying thin film layers forming a layer stack on the substrate surface. The layer stack includes a magnetically hard perpendicular magnetic recording layer structure and an underlying soft magnetic underlayer (SUL), wherein the sum of a magnetic thickness of the layer stack is a magnetic thickness of up to about 2 memu/cm?2.

Abstract: A perpendicular magnetic recording medium comprises a non-magnetic substrate having a surface; and a plurality of overlying thin film layers forming a layer stack on the substrate surface, the layer stack including a magnetically hard perpendicular magnetic recording layer structure and an underlying soft magnetic underlayer (SUL), the SUL having a thickness of up to about 100 ?. Also disclosed is a data/information recording, storage, and retrieval system comprising the perpendicular magnetic recording medium and a single-pole magnetic transducer head including main and auxiliary poles positioned in spaced adjacency to an upper surface of the layer stack, the single-pole transducer head comprising a front shield adjacent the main pole.

Abstract: In some embodiments, an article comprising a first magnetic recording layer, the first magnetic recording layer including a granular layer having a first magnetic anisotropy and a multi-layer stack adjacent the granular layer, the multi-layer stack comprising one or more substantially magnetic film layers alternating with one or more polarization conductor layers, wherein the multi-layer stack has a second magnetic anisotropy that is greater than the first magnetic anisotropy.

Abstract: In some embodiments, an article comprising a first magnetic recording layer, the first magnetic recording layer including a granular layer having a first magnetic anisotropy and a multi-layer stack adjacent the granular layer, the multi-layer stack comprising one or more substantially magnetic film layers alternating with one or more polarization conductor layers, wherein the multi-layer stack has a second magnetic anisotropy that is greater than the first magnetic anisotropy.

Abstract: A perpendicular magnetic recording medium comprises a non-magnetic substrate having a surface; and a plurality of overlying thin film layers forming a layer stack on the substrate surface, the layer stack including a magnetically hard perpendicular magnetic recording layer structure and an underlying soft magnetic underlayer (SUL), the SUL having a thickness of up to about 100 ?. Also disclosed is a data/information recording, storage, and retrieval system comprising the perpendicular magnetic recording medium and a single-pole magnetic transducer head including main and auxiliary poles positioned in spaced adjacency to an upper surface of the layer stack, the single-pole transducer head comprising a front shield adjacent the main pole.

Abstract: A magnetic recording medium deposited on glass and having an orientation ratio greater than one is disclosed. The magnetic recording medium includes a CoW seedlayer deposited on a circumferentially textured glass substrate. The magnetic recording medium with such a seedlayer can have an OR that is similar or higher than that with a NiP seedlayer. Magnetic recording medium with a CoW seedlayer can produce oriented glass media with orientation ratio OR>1 when sputtered on substrates which have been circumferentially textured before the deposition of the CoW seedlayer. The W content of the CoW seedlayer can range between 30-50 at %. The thickness of the CoW seedlayer can range between 10 ? and 200 ?. The method for sputter depositing the magnetic recording medium is also disclosed and includes sputter depositing the CoW seedlayer using pure Ar as sputtering gas or using a mixture of Ar and O2, H2O and N2 as sputtering gas.

Abstract: A thin film magnetic recording medium with enhanced signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) comprises a non-magnetic substrate having a surface; and a layer stack atop the substrate surface, comprising at least one magnetic recording layer and a plurality of layers beneath the at least one magnetic recording layer, including: a first underlayer proximal the substrate surface; a second, grain size refinement underlayer in overlying contact with the first underlayer; a third, in-plane growth orientation underlayer in overlying contact with the second underlayer; and a magnetic stabilization layer in overlying contact with the third underlayer, wherein the third underlayer comprises manganese (Mn).

Abstract: A magnetic recording medium having a substrate, a granular magnetic layer and a magnetic cap layer covered with carbon overcoat, in this order, wherein both the granular magnetic and magnetic cap layers contain magnetic grains and non-magnetic grain boundaries, and further wherein the magnetic cap layer has denser grain boundaries and the magnetic cap layer contains substantially no oxide is disclosed. The magnetic cap layer serves as both magnetic layer and corrosion barrier for lower HMS.

Abstract: A magnetic recording medium having a substrate, a first magnetic layer having a perpendicular anisotropy and a second magnetic layer having a perpendicular anisotropy, wherein the second magnetic layer contains substantially no dielectric material, (such as, but not limited to, oxides, carbides, and nitrides) is disclosed. Also disclosed is a method for manufacturing the magnetic recording medium of the embodiments of this invention.

Abstract: High-saturation magnetization composite soft magnetic films can be deposited with sintered targets made of preferably at least two kinds of powders/elements with much lower saturation magnetization than that of the deposited soft magnetic films. Such a high-saturation magnetization composite soft magnetic film can be deposited by sputtering a plurality of species from a sintered target that forms a film of a material of higher saturation magnetization than that of the species.

Abstract: A magnetic recording medium deposited on glass and having an orientation ratio greater than one is disclosed. The magnetic recording medium includes a CoW seedlayer deposited on a circumferentially textured glass substrate. The magnetic recording medium with such a seedlayer can have an OR that is similar or higher than that with a NiP seedlayer. Magnetic recording medium with a CoW seedlayer can produce oriented glass media with orientation ratio OR>1 when sputtered on substrates which have been circumferentially textured before the deposition of the CoW seedlayer. The W content of the CoW seedlayer can range between 30-50 at %. The thickness of the CoW seedlayer can range between 10 Å and 200 Å. The method for sputter depositing the magnetic recording medium is also disclosed and includes sputter depositing the CoW seedlayer using pure Ar as sputtering gas or using a mixture of Ar and O2, H2O and N2 as sputtering gas.

Abstract: High-saturation magnetization composite soft magnetic films can be deposited with sintered targets made of preferably at least two kinds of powders/elements with much lower saturation magnetization than that of the deposited soft magnetic films. Such a high-saturation magnetization composite soft magnetic film can be deposited by sputtering a plurality of species from a sintered target that forms a film of a material of higher saturation magnetization than that of the species.

Abstract: A magnetic recording medium comprises, in overlying sequence from a surface of a non-magnetic substrate: at least one Cr-containing or B2-structured underlayer; a substantially non-magnetic CoCrPt alloy intermediate layer; and at least one CoCrPtB ferromagnetic alloy recording layer; wherein the intermediate layer of substantially non-magnetic CoCrPt alloy has a composition which facilitates Co (11.0) or (10.0) crystallographic orientation of the at least one CoCrPtB ferromagnetic alloy recording layer.

Abstract: Selective deposition of a layer of a material, such as a thick protective overcoat, onto a selected substrate area, such as the inner or CSS landing zone, is achieved using a sputtering target assembly comprising a target/cathode having a planar sputtering surface including an erosion track area, a collimating shield positioned proximate the sputtering surface and surrounding at least a portion of the erosion track area, the collimating shield including an inwardly facing wall, and a blocking shield centrally positioned over the surface of the target/cathode and including an outwardly facing wall, wherein the inwardly facing wall of the collimating shield and the outwardly facing wall, wherein the inwardly facing wall of the collimating shield and the outwardly facing wall of the central blocking shield form an open-ended collimating channel for directing sputtered particles onto the selected substrate area.

Abstract: A sputtering target assembly for depositing onto a selected substrate area comprises a target/cathode having a planar sputtering surface including an erosion track area, a collimating shield positioned proximate to the sputtering surface, surrounding at least a portion of the erosion track area, and including an inwardly facing wall, and a blocking shield centrally positioned over the surface of the target/cathode and including an outwardly facing wall, wherein the inwardly facing wall of the collimating shield and the outwardly facing wall of the central blocking shield form an open-ended channel for directing sputtered particles onto the selected substrate area. A method for utilizing the target assembly for selectively depositing a thicker protective overcoat layer on the inner CSS or landing zone relative to the outer data zone of disk-shaped recording media is provided.