Abstract: A target assembly for use in a magnetron sputtering apparatus having a source of a magnetic field. The apparatus includes an annular sputtering target, and inner and outer poles surrounding the target, defining inner and outer confronting walls which extend beyond the target surface, for conducting magnetic flux across the target. These confronting walls are lined with inner and outer confronting target rings. The annual target and target rings may have different compositions, for use in forming sputtered films with a gradient composition.

Abstract: A magnetic thin-film medium is disclosed. The medium includes a disc-like non-metallic substrate, and a sputtered underlayer having an axial composition gradient in which a lowermost stratum of the layer is a coating metal, such as Ti, V, or W, and an uppermost stratum of the underlayer is Cr. A magnetic thin-film layer is formed on the substrate, and a overcoat is formed on the magnetic layer. Also disclosed is a method of forming the medium.

Abstract: A novel magnetic recording medium has a texture consisting of a multiplicity of circumferential stripes which intersect the circumferential direction at an angle of 0.1.degree.-20.degree.. The friction coefficient on the surface of the medium is low and varies little among manufactured products. The medium is thus easy to start even though the surface is contacted by a magnetic head.

Abstract: A thin-film hard disk magnetic medium comprising a magnetic recording film made from a magnetic metal alloy formed on a circumferentially textured surface of a substrate, in order that the surface of the magnetic recording layer is provided with a surface roughness, Rmax of 100 .ANG. to 400 .ANG., and adjacent grooves form a space of 0.5 .mu.m to 3 .mu.m measured in the radial direction of the substrate.

Abstract: The invention discloses a magnetic recording medium used for recording and reproducing information in combination with a magnetic head. The magnetic recording medium in accordance with the present invention comprises a substrate made of a non-magnetic material, an underlayer which is formed on the substrate and has a thickness of 300 to 1000 .ANG. and which consists of a chromium metal or a chromium alloy, and a magnetic recording layer which is formed on the underlayer by vacuum evaporation, which consists essentially of 5 to 15 at% of Cr, 1 to 8 at% of Ta and the balance substantially being Co, and which has a direction of easy magnetization within the surface parallel to the surface of the substrate.

Abstract: A flying-type composite magnetic head comprising a slider made of a non-magnetic ceramic and having side rails extending longitudinally on both lateral sides of the head; a slit extending longitudinally in one of the side rails; and a magnetic core. The magnetic core is constituted by a pair of core pieces bonded to each other with a first glass layer and fixed in the slit of the slider with a second glass layer on both sides of the magnetic core. The core pieces have flat opposing surfaces parallel to each other for defining a magnetic gap with at least one of the opposing surfaces formed with an Fe-Al-Si thin layer. The magnetic core is provided in its track surface with a notch for restricting a track width, the notch having a depth equal to or greater than the depth of the magnetic gap, and the remaining thickness of the first glass layer bonding the magnetic core pieces being equal to or greater than the thickness of the magnetic core.

Abstract: A flying-type composite magnetic head includes a slider made of a non-magnetic ceramic and having side rails extending longitudinally on both lateral sides of the head; a slit extending longitudinally in one of the side rails; and a magnetic core constituted by a pair of core pieces bonded to each other with a first glass and fixed in the slit with a second glass on both sides of the core. At least one of the opposing surfaces of the core pieces is formed with an Fe-Al-Si thin layer and the opposing surfaces of the core pieces constitute a magnetic gap of the magnetic core. Gaps formed on both sides of the magnetic core in a region exposed to an air-bearing surface of the head are filled with the second glass to improve the flatness of the air-bearing surface of the head.