Research Progress on L1₀-FePt Film for Magnetic Recording Hard Disk

L1₀-FePt thin film is one of the best candidates for the next generation of ultra-high density magnetic storage media due to its good chemical stability and excellent magnetic properties such as high magnetocrystalline anisotropy, high saturation magnetization. The preparation methods of L1₀-FePt films by magnetron sputtering, molecular beam epitaxy and chemical synthesis are introduced. The ideal structure and properties of the films are described. Three methods of film structure control, such as special thermal annealing treatment, addition of isolating medium and preparation of multilayer film structure, are reviewed. The preparation techniques of FePt alloy targets by vacuum hot precessing, hot isostatic precessing and discharge plasma sintering are summaried. The problems existing in the current research are pointed, and the development direction of high density magnetic recording media is prospected.