It is intended to reduce the media
noise, and to improve the
recording density dependence of read output
voltage. The present invention provides a perpendicular magnetic
recording media and its manufacturing process, wherein a perpendicular magnetic recording medium comprises a soft magnetic underlayer film and a perpendicular magnetizing film, these films being formed on a substrate in this order, a smoothness control film such as Cr film, being inserted between the substrate and the soft magnetic underlayer film. Therefore, perpendicular orientation and
surface smoothness are improved for the perpendicular magnetizing film laminated on the
smooth surface of the soft magnetic underlayer film. As the perpendicular orientation is improved for the perpendicular magnetizing film, the initial layer is reduced, thereby media
noise being lowered and
recording density dependence of read output
voltage being improved. In addition, as the
surface smoothness is improved for the perpendicular magnetizing film, sliding characteristics of a recording / reproducing head is also improved, thereby this also lowering the media
noise.