Effect of Grain Size and Magnetic Switching Volume on Media Noise Due to Intergranular Coupling in CoCrTaPt/Cr Thin Film Media

In this work the effect of grain size and magnetic switching volume on media noise due to intergranular coupling for CoCrTaPt/Cr thin film media deposited at substrate temperature of 160 and 260°C are investigated. The film deposited at substrate temperature of 260°C showed weaker intergranular interaction and lower media noise compared to the film deposited at 160°C. The magnetic switching volume (V*) is an important consideration for thermal stability and media noise in high density recording media. The magnetic switching volume V* for the film deposited at 160 and 260°C was calculated to be 3.7 x 10-18 and 3.2 x 10-18 cm3 respectively. The magnetic switching volume is correlated to the average Co-alloy grain size, media noise and the interactions between the grains.