High-anisotropy nanocomposite films for magnetic recording

This paper presents results on the synthesis and properties of FePt- and CoPt-based high-anisotropy nanocomposite films. These films consist of high anisotropy L1/sub 0/ CoPt or FePt particles embedded in a nonmagnetic matrix such as C, SiO/sub 2/, or B/sub 2/O/sub 3/. The grain size and magnetic properties of these films ran he controlled by the processing temperatures and the film compositions. Particularly in the FePt:B/sub 2/O/sub 3/ films the c-axes of the FePt grains can be made to align along the film normal direction, resulting in films with perpendicular anisotropy. Temperature-dependence of magnetic properties and activation volumes are investigated to understand the magnetization reversal and thermal-activation effects. The potential of these films as high-density recording media is discussed.