Co–Pt thin films for magnetic recording by ECD from acidic electrolytes

Abstract At the time being, perpendicular magnetic recording is considered the technology able to overcome the superparamagnetic limit of the longitudinal magnetic recording technology. As far as the recording layer of perpendicular media is concerned, Co–Pt alloys are considered the most eligible materials. In this study, the magnetic properties of Co–Pt continuous hard magnetic layers obtained by electrodeposition are presented. Co–Pt hard magnetic layers having hcp crystallographic structure and Pt content in the range 10–20 at% were deposited using a newly formulated acidic electrolyte. The dependence of magnetic properties on operating conditions and alloy composition was investigated.