AVS 46th International Symposium
    Magnetic Interfaces and Nanostructures Technical Group Tuesday Sessions
       Session MI+VM+AS-TuM

Paper MI+VM+AS-TuM9
Characterization of Co/CN@sub x@ Granular Media Prepared by Nanolamination

Tuesday, October 26, 1999, 11:00 am, Room 618/619

Session: Magnetic Recording: Media
Presenter: S.C. Street, The University of Alabama
Authors: C. Ruby, The University of Alabama
J. Du, The University of Alabama
R. Zhou, The University of Alabama
S.C. Street, The University of Alabama
J. Barnard, The University of Alabama
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Cobalt-carbon thin films proposed for use as granular magnetic media are generally prepared by co-deposition sputtering. An alternative method is nanolamination of the component layers (media and matrix) followed by annealing. The potential advantages of this approach include precise control over component volume fractions and ease in fabricating large, uniform samples. We have produced and characterized thin film granular structures prepared from nanolaminate layers of Co and CN@sub x@. TEM studies of the microstructure indicate that for certain samples discrete domains are generated, with mean grain sizes of around 20 nm, with near lognormal distribution. These films have coercivities above 1200 Oe. Surface characterization by XPS depth profiling indicates that the annealed films have oxidized cobalt in the very near surface region, although initial study did not show any magnetic hysterisis loop shift. AFM measurements show that the surface of the film roughens significantly upon annealing, with the RMS roughness increasing from 0.2 nm to 1.0 nm. Thus, it appears that the mixing involved in the annealing process, which gives rise to grain formation, also degrades the smooth surface of the CN@sub x@ capping layer and exposes some of the cobalt to ambient. The implications of this process on tribological issues is explored.