Granular L10 FePt:TiO2 (001) nanocomposite thin films with 5 nm grains for high density magnetic recording

FePt:TiO2 (001) thin films were deposited on CrRu/MgO underlayers by dc magnetron cosputtering. The effects of TiO2 content on microstructure and magnetic properties of the epitaxial FePt (001) films were studied. Experimental results showed that even with 20 vol % TiO2 doping, FePt films could keep a (001) preferred orientation and perpendicular anisotropy. The FePt:TiO2 (001) film with 5 nm grain size, adjustable coercivity, and reduced exchange coupling was obtained by doping 20 vol % TiO2 into FePt film, showing great potential as low noise ultrahigh density perpendicular magnetic recording media. (C) 2008 American Institute of Physics.