Elemental imaging of CoCrTa longitudinal magnetic recording media

High data-density longitudinal magnetic recording media require a microstructure with a uniform grain size distribution and a non-magnetic layer between the grains to decouple magnetic exchange. The phenomenon of paramagnetic Cr grain boundary segregation in sputtered Co alloy thin films is the standard method used to produce magnetically isolated single magnetic domains in modem longitudinal recording media, Energy-filtered transmission electron microscopy (EFTEM), with specialized data acquisition and processing methods, provides reliable quantitative elemental maps from these Co alloy thin films. This research addresses basic scientific issues, e.g., the role of grain boundary character on Cr segregation.