L 1 FePt–MgO perpendicular thin film deposited by alternating sputtering at elevated temperature

FePt – MgO two phase thin films have been obtained by an alternating sputtering method at elevated temperatures. It is found that the L10 FePt grains grow in a columnar manner through the thickness of the film and possess a (001) perpendicular texture promoted by the (200)-textured crystalline MgO underlayer. The amorphous MgO in the two phase mixture forms uniform separation walls between FePt grains. The microstructure is similar to that of Co-alloy/oxide granular media.