The magnetic properties of a DyCo layer with and without a Cr underlayer has been investigated. Optimal sputtering conditions of TbCo/Cr films for higher coercivity have been researched. Magnetron sputtering was used here to produce Cr/Dy(Tb)Co x /Cr films on glass substrates. It was found that both the magnetic and the Cr underlayer thickness could influence the coercivity of DyCo films. A coercivity as high as 3,500 Oe was obtained in 255 nm Dy 31Co69 films with a 65 nm thick Cr underlayer, but it was only about 2,000 Oe for the same thickness Dy31Co69 films without Cr underlayer. The Cr und...