Sm–Co films for high-density magnetic recording media

In this experiment, Cr–Cu thin film was used as an underlayer for Sm–Co film. The magnetic properties and crystal structure of Sm–Co films prepared onto this kind of underlayer have been studied. Grain size and surface roughness have been reduced with the introduce of Cr. The Cr addition into the Cu underlayer also improves the c-axis orientation of Sm–Co films. As a result, films with squareness ratio as high as 0.95 and perpendicular coercivity as high as 12.3 kOe have been prepared.