Sputter-deposited SmCo{sub}5 thin films exhibiting high perpendicular magnetic anisotropy were studied for materializing ultra high density magnetic recording. This study put emphasis on the fabrication of SmCo{sub}5 double-layered perpendicular magnetic recording media. A double-layered medium with a Ru buffer layer introduced between a Cu/Ti intermediate layer and a Co-Zr-Nb soft magnetic underlayer exhibited high perpendicular magnetic anisotropy, whereas that without the Ru buffer layer did not. Auger electron spectroscopy revealed that the Ru buffer layer inhibited unfavorable interdiffusion between the Cu/Ti intermediate layer and the Co-Zr-Nb soft magnetic underlayer. In addition, the read-write characteristics of the SmCo{sub}5 double-layered perpendicular magnetic recording media were evaluated for the first time.
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