Magnetic recording medium, method of manufacture thereof, and magnetic recorder

摘要

A magnetic recording medium of the present invention comprises an MgO layer 2, a first control layer 3, a second control layer 4, a magnetic layer 5, and a protective layer 6 which are provided in this order on a substrate 1. The MgO layer is formed by means of the ECR sputtering method. Accordingly, this layer is crystallized in the hexagonal system, and crystals are successfully oriented in a certain azimuth. Two or more layers of metal control layers are formed on the MgO layer by using materials and compositions so that the difference in lattice constant with respect to the magnetic layer is not more than 5%. Owing to the presence of the control layers, the magnetic layer is epitaxially grown in a well-suited manner while reflecting the structure of the MgO layer, making it possible to realize the orientation of (11.0) of Co which is preferred to perform the high density recording in the magnetic layer. Accordingly, it is possible to provide the magnetic recording medium capable of performing the super high density recording exceeding 40 Gbits/inch2.