Abstract
CoPt and CoCr alloy films have received considerable interest recently for use as recording media in high‐density recording technology. Chromium films have been used as nucleation layers to improve the magnetic properties of hcp magnetic alloy films (CoNi, CoNiCr, and CoCr) by increasing the in‐plane c‐axis preferred orientation. In this investigation, Co80Pt20 magnetic films were deposited onto 1000‐Å‐thick nucleation layers of chromium, a chromium‐vanadium alloy or tungsten. Deposition of Co80Pt20 films onto W produced a significant increase in coercivity compared to the Cr nucleation layers. Coercivity values as high 2400 Oe were observed for the W/Co80Pt20 composite structure compared to about 1900 Oe for the CrV/Co80Pt20 structure.