Multi-layer nanocomposite structures of Ta/Ru/CoCr(1)/FeCoTaCr(soft magnetic layer)/CoCr(2)/CoCrPt-SiO(2)(hard magnetic layer or recording layer)/C and Ta/Ru/CoCr(1)/CoCrPt-SiO(2)/CoCr(2)/FeCoTaCr/C were proposed. This exchange coupled composite (ECC) media consisting of hard/soft stacked magnetic layers were promising in improving the writability of perpendicular magnetic recording media. A small CoCrPt c-axis orientation dispersion of about 3 degrees was achieved with the optimized sputter conditions. The CoCrPt-SiO(2) grains were well segregated by SiO(2) at grain boundaries. The macro-magnetic properties showed that the stacked magnetic grains switched in a coherent mode and that switching field decreased with increasing the thickness of the soft magnetic layer. (C) 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.