Cr-Ta/sub 2/O/sub 5/ seedlayer for recording media on alternative substrates

Cr-Ta/sub 2/O/sub 5/ pre-coat significantly improved the coercivity and recording performance of CoCrPtTa/Cr films on glass-ceramic substrate. X-ray diffraction patterns showed enhanced Cr [110] and in-plane Co (100) textures due to Cr-Ta/sub 2/O/sub 5/ pre-coat. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy indicated the existence of Ta/sub 2/O/sub 5/ in Cr-Ta/sub 2/O/sub 5/ film. Unlike the pure Cr, Cr-Ta/sub 2/O/sub 5/ film on glass-ceramic substrate displayed very fine and uniform grain structure. This might be due to the less mobile Ta/sub 2/O/sub 5/ oxides that prevent high-mobility Cr atoms from migration to form large grains. The impact of pre-coat thickness and sputter conditions on media magnetic properties was also investigated.