Abstract
A particulate MnPt:C seed-layer is employed to induce the granular growth of FePt:C with a reduction of C inclusions and to suppress the formation of large islands at high substrate temperatures. We demonstrate the insertion of a MnPt:C seed-layer between MgO and FePt:C can effectively improve granular isolation and reduce granular size. FePt granules (around 7 nm) are formed with only 15% vol. C deposited at 350 °C and reveal an out-of-plane coercivity of 10 kOe. With the insertion of MnPt:C seed-layer, we may have more tuning parameters to manipulate microstructure of FePt:C granular films. © 2014 AIP Publishing LLC.