Magnetic recording media with high magnetization absorption layer and gradient segregant structure

Abstract

Various apparatuses, systems, methods, and media are disclosed to provide a heat-assisted magnetic recording (HAMR) medium that includes a Co-rich Pt-doped capping material and a CoFe-based absorption layer. The absorption layer has a higher magnetization than the capping layer. Both layers include segregants such as BN, SiO, BO, and ZrO. In some examples, the volume percentage (vol. %) of segregants in the absorption layer is greater than the vol. % of segregants in the capping layer by, e.g., 5% to 15% to provide an increasing gradient in segregant percentage. The absorption layer may include two absorption sub-layers, one on top of the other, with the upper sub-layer having a greater vol. % of segregants than the lower absorption sub-layer to provide an additional gradient in segregant vol. %. In some examples, an etching process using a sacrificial layer is applied to the absorption layer to reduce head to media spacing.