Electrodeposited Co-Pt thin films for magnetic hard disks

ew baths for Co-Pt electrodeposition have been developed and developed and ECD thin films (≤0.3μm) have been prepared and characterized structurally (XRD), morphologically (SEM), chemically (EDS) and magnetically (VSM); their improved corrosion, oxidation and wear resistance have been ascertained. Such alloys appear suitable candidates for magnetic storage systems, from all technological viewpoints. The originally formulated baths contain Co-NH₃-citrate complexes and Pt-p salt (Pt(NH₃)₂(NO₂)₂). Co-Pt thin films of fcc structure are deposited obtaining microcrystallites of definite composition. At Pt 30 at% we obtain fcc films with a=0.369 nm, H_C=80 kA m, and high squareness; increasing Co and decreasing Pt content in the bath it is possible to reduce the Pt content of the deposit, obtaining fcc structures containing two types of microcrystals with a = 0.3615 nm and a = 0.369 nm deposited simultaneously. NaH₂PO₂ additions to the bath have a stabilizing influence on the fcc structure of a = 0.3615 nm, Pt 20 at% and H_C as high as 200 kA/m, with hysteresis loops suitable for both longitudinal or perpendicular recording, depending on the thickness. We have prepared 2.5 in. hard disks for magnetic recording with ECD Co-Pt 20 at% with a polished and texturized ACD Ni-P underlayer. Pulse response, 1F & 2F frequency and frequency sweep response behaviour, as well as noise and overwrite characteristics have been measured for both our disks and high-standard sputtered Co-Cr-Ta production disks, showin improved D₅₀ for Co-Pt ECD disks. The signal-to-noise ratio could be improved by pulse electrodeposition and etching post-treatments.