Abstract
A brief review is given of preparation, structure, and magnetization reversal in Co–P thin films for digital recording. From this, a magnetization reversal theory is developed which correctly predicts a number of observed facts about Co–P. Among these are &mA0.1 (conventional theory predicts 0.64 and 0.51, respectively), avalanche and cluster reversal mechanisms, transverse ripple, and sawtooth structure in recorded bits. Limitations to high bit and track density recording are discussed. It is suggested that lower Mr/Ms remanent squareness values may alleviate these density limiting mechanisms.