Perpendicular magnetic recording media with seed layer structure containing ruthenium (Ru)
An embodiment of the invention provides an apparatus that includes: a perpendicular magnetic recording medium including a substrate, a soft under layer above the substrate, a seed layer structure above the soft under layer, wherein the seed layer structure contains Ruthenium; and a magnetic recording layer above the seed layer structure.
1 . An apparatus comprising:
a perpendicular magnetic recording medium comprising:
a substrate;
a soft under layer above the substrate;
a seed layer structure directly on the soft under layer, wherein the seed layer structure comprises a seed layer that contains Ruthenium;
wherein the seed layer is directly on the soft under layer; and
a magnetic recording layer above the seed layer structure.
2 . The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising: an intermediate layer above and directly on the seed layer structure.
3 . The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising: an overcoat above the magnetic recording layer.
4 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the seed layer structure is approximately 10 nm or less in thickness.
5 . The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the seed layer structure has a composition of NiW (2-10 at. %) Ru (3-9 at. %).
6 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the seed layer structure has a composition of NiW (6-8 at. %) Ru (4-6 at. %).
7 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the seed layer structure comprises NiWRu.
8 . The apparatus of claim 7 , wherein the concentration of Ru in the seed layer structure comprising Ru is between 3 at. %. and 9 at. %.
9 . An apparatus comprising:
a perpendicular magnetic recording medium comprising:
a substrate;
a soft under layer above the substrate;
a seed layer structure directly on the soft under layer, wherein the seed layer structure comprises a first seed layer directly on the magnetic soft under layer and a second seed layer directly on the first seed layer and wherein the second seed layer contains Ruthenium; and
a magnetic recording layer above the seed layer structure.
10 . The apparatus of claim 9 , wherein the first seed layer comprises NiFe.
11 . The apparatus of claim 9 , wherein the second seed layer comprises NiWRu.
12 . The apparatus of claim 9 , further comprising: an intermediate layer above and directly on the seed layer structure.
13 . The apparatus of claim 9 , further comprising: an overcoat above the magnetic recording layer.
14 . The apparatus of claim 9 , wherein the seed layer structure is approximately 10 nm or less in thickness.
15 . The apparatus of claim 9 , wherein the seed layer structure comprises NiWRu.
16 . The apparatus of claim 15 , wherein the concentration of Ru in the seed layer structure comprising Ru is between 3 at. %. and 9 at. %.
17 . An apparatus comprising:
a magnetic disk drive comprising:
a magnetic head for writing magnetic transitions in a perpendicular magnetic recording medium on a disk; and
the disk with the perpendicular magnetic recording medium comprising:
a substrate;
a soft under layer above the substrate;
a seed layer structure directly on the soft under layer, wherein the seed layer structure comprises a seed layer that contains Ruthenium;
wherein the seed layer is directly on the soft under layer; and
a magnetic recording layer above the seed layer structure.
18 . An apparatus comprising:
a perpendicular magnetic recording medium comprising:
a substrate;
a soft under layer above the substrate;
a magnetic recording layer; and
means for controlling an orientation of grains in the magnetic recording layer, wherein the controlling means is directly on the soft under layer and wherein the controlling means comprises a seed layer that contains Ruthenium, wherein the seed layer is directly on the soft under layer.
19 . A method comprising:
providing a substrate;
forming a soft under layer above the substrate;
forming a seed layer structure above and directly on the soft under layer, wherein the seed layer structure comprises a seed layer that contains Ruthenium;
wherein the seed layer is directly on the soft under layer; and
forming a magnetic recording layer above the seed layer structure, wherein the recording layer is part of a perpendicular magnetic recording medium.
20 . The method of claim 19 , further comprising: forming an overcoat above the magnetic recording layer.
21 . The method of claim 19 , wherein the seed layer structure is approximately 10 nm or less in thickness.
22 . The method of claim 19 wherein the seed layer structure has a composition of NiW (2-10 at. %) Ru (3-9 at. %).
23 . The method of claim 19 , wherein the seed layer structure has a composition of NiW (6-8 at. %) Ru (4-6 at. %).
24 . The method of claim 19 , wherein the seed layer structure comprises NiWRu.
25 . A perpendicular magnetic recording medium produced in accordance with the method of claim 19 .