Energy Assisted Segregation Material

Abstract

Apparatus for recording data and method for making the same. In accordance with some embodiments, a magnetic layer is supported by a substrate and comprises a magnetic magnetic material, a non-magnetic material, and an energy assisted segregation material. The segregation material enhances segregation of the non-magnetic material into grain boundaries within the layer at an elevated, moderate energy level.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An apparatus comprising:
 a magnetic layer supported by a substrate, the magnetic layer comprising a magnetic material, a non-magnetic material, and an energy assisted segregation material adapted to enhance segregation of the non-magnetic material into grain boundaries within the layer at an elevated, moderate energy level.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the segregation material includes boron (B). 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the non-magnetic material includes chromium (Cr). 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the magnetic layer comprises a CoCrB alloy, and wherein B is the segregation material for Cr. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the magnetic layer further comprises a second non-magnetic material, the second non-magnetic material comprising an oxide. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein the magnetic layer comprises a CoCrBPt-oxide, and wherein B is the segregation material for Cr. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the magnetic layer is a perpendicular data recording layer. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the elevated, moderate energy level comprises depositing the magnetic material, the non-magnetic material and the segregation material onto the substrate as the substrate is maintained at a temperature of from about 25° C. to about 220° C. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the elevated, moderate energy level comprises depositing the magnetic material, the non-magnetic material and the segregation material onto the substrate as the substrate is maintained at a temperature of from about 100° C. to about 200° C. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein the elevated, moderate energy level comprises applying a bias voltage to the substrate during said depositing at a magnitude of from about 0V to about 500V. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein the elevated, moderate energy level comprises applying a bias voltage to the substrate during said depositing at a magnitude of from about 200V to about 400V. 
     
     
         12 . An apparatus comprising:
 a magnetic layer supported by a substrate, the magnetic layer comprising a magnetic material, a non-magnetic material, and means for enhancing separation of the magnetic material into grains at an elevated, moderate energy level.   
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein the means for enhancing separation comprises boron (B). 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein the elevated, moderate energy level comprises depositing the magnetic material, the non-magnetic material and the B at a substrate temperature of less than about 220° C. and a substrate voltage magnitude of from about 0V to about 500V. 
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein the magnetic material comprises Co, the non-magnetic material comprises Cr and the means for enhancing separation comprises an energy assisted separation material. 
     
     
         16 . A method comprising depositing on a substrate a magnetic layer comprising a magnetic material, a non-magnetic material and an energy assisted segregation material at an elevated, moderate energy level comprising a substrate temperature of from about 25° C. to about 220° C. and a substrate voltage magnitude of from about 0V to about 500V, wherein during said depositing step the segregation material enhances segregation of the non-magnetic material into grain boundaries within the layer. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the magnetic material comprises Co, the non-magnetic material comprises Cr and the separation enhancement material comprises B. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the depositing step further comprises depositing an oxide on the substrate. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the magnetic layer is a CGC layer. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the magnetic layer is a granular layer.