Longitudinal multi-layer magnetic recording medium

1. A magnetic recording medium, comprising:

an underlayer, a first magnetic layer, a first intermediate layer, a second magnetic layer, a second intermediate layer, a third magnetic layer, a protection layer and a lubrication layer, which are formed above a substrate; and

each of the third magnetic layer and the second magnetic layer comprises a cobalt-based alloy containing at least platinum and chromium, a concentration of platinum contained in the second magnetic layer is not more than that in the third magnetic layer, platinum contained in the third magnetic layer is 15 at % or less, a concentration of chromium contained in the third magnetic layer is 15 at % or more and 18 at % or less, and a concentration of boron contained in the third magnetic layer is 7 at % or more and 10 at % or less.

2. The magnetic recording medium of claim 1 , wherein the first intermediate layer comprises ruthenium as a main ingredient.

3. The magnetic recording medium of claim 2 , wherein the second intermediate layer comprises ruthenium as a main ingredient and a thickness thereof is in a range of 0.6 nm to 1.0 nm.

4. The magnetic recording medium of claim 1 , wherein the underlayer comprises a cobalt alloy layer containing chromium and zirconium, a layer comprising tantalum as a main ingredient and a chromium alloy layer containing titanium and boron, which are stacked in this order.

5. The magnetic recording medium of claim 1 , wherein the underlayer comprises a nickel alloy layer containing tantalum, a layer comprising a tantalum as a main ingredient, a chromium alloy layer containing titanium and a chromium alloy layer containing molybdenum, which are stacked in this order.

6. The magnetic recording medium of claim 1 , wherein the substrate has a texture provided with a plurality of circumferential grooves formed in a radial direction.

7. The magnetic recording medium of claim 1 , wherein a concentration of platinum contained in the second magnetic layer is less than that in the third magnetic layer, and a concentration of chromium contained in the second magnetic layer is more than a concentration of chromium contained in the third magnetic layer.

8. The magnetic recording medium of claim 1 , wherein the first magnetic layer comprises a cobalt-based alloy containing chromium or a cobalt-based alloy containing chromium and platinum.

9. A magnetic recording medium, comprising:

an underlayer, a first magnetic layer, a first intermediate layer, a second magnetic layer, a second intermediate layer, a third magnetic layer, a protection layer, and a lubrication layer, which are formed in this order on a substrate; and

the underlayer comprises a nickel base alloy containing tantalum, a layer comprising tantalum as a main ingredient and a chromium alloy layer containing titanium and boron stacked in this order, each of the third magnetic layer and the second magnetic layer comprises a cobalt-based alloy containing at least platinum, chromium and boron, a concentration of platinum contained in the second magnetic layer is not more than that in the third magnetic layer, platinum contained in the third magnetic layer is 15 at % or less, a concentration of chromium contained in the third magnetic layer is 15 at % or more and 18 at % or less, and a concentration of boron contained in the third magnetic layer is 7 at % or more and 10 at % or less.

10. The magnetic recording medium of claim 9 , wherein the first intermediate layer comprises ruthenium as a main ingredient.

11. The magnetic recording medium of claim 10 , wherein the second intermediate layer comprises ruthenium as a main ingredient and a thickness thereof is in a range of 0.6 nm to 1.0 nm.

12. The magnetic recording medium of claim 9 , wherein the substrate has a texture provided with a plurality of circumferential grooves in a radial direction.

13. The magnetic recording medium of claim 9 , wherein the concentration of platinum contained in the second magnetic layer is less than the concentration of platinum contained in the third magnetic layer, and the concentration of chromium contained in the second magnetic layer is more than the concentration of chromium contained in the third magnetic layer.

14. The magnetic recording medium of claim 9 , wherein the first magnetic layer comprises a cobalt-based alloy containing chromium or a cobalt-based alloy containing chromium and platinum.

15. A magnetic recording medium, comprising:

an underlayer, a first magnetic layer, a first intermediate layer, a second magnetic layer, a second intermediate layer, a third magnetic layer, a protection layer, and a lubrication layer, which are formed in this order on a substrate;

the underlayer comprises a nickel-based alloy containing tantalum, a layer comprising tantalum and a chromium alloy layer containing titanium and boron stacked in this order, each of the third magnetic layer and the second magnetic layer comprises a cobalt-based alloy containing at least platinum, chromium, and boron, a concentration of platinum contained in the second magnetic layer is less than that in the third magnetic layer, platinum contained in the third magnetic layer is 15 at % or less, a concentration of chromium contained in the third magnetic layer is in a range of 15 to 18 at %, a concentration of chromium contained in the second magnetic layer is more than the concentration of chromium contained in the third magnetic layer, and a concentration of boron contained in the third magnetic layer is in a range of 7 to 10 at %; wherein

both the first and second intermediate layers comprise ruthenium, and a thickness of the second intermediate layer is in a range of 0.6 nm to 1.0 nm; and wherein

the first magnetic layer comprises a cobalt-based alloy containing chromium or a cobalt-based alloy containing chromium and platinum.