Recording media interlayer structure

A method, comprising:

• forming a layer stack over a surface of a non-magnetic substrate, said layer stack including:
• a magnetically soft underlayer;
• an amorphous or crystalline seed layer above said magnetically soft underlayer;
• an interlayer structure above said amorphous or crystalline seed layer;
• and
• at least one magnetic recording layer above said interlayer structure,
• wherein said interlayer structure includes:
• a first interlayer of a first non-magnetic material proximal said amorphous or crystalline seed layer, said first non-magnetic material containing Ru, wherein said first interlayer includes a first thickness, and wherein said first non-magnetic material is of general formula RuX, where X is at least one element selected from the group consisting of:
• Mo, Ni, W, Zr, and Re;
• a second interlayer of a second non-magnetic material above said first interlayer, said second non-magnetic material not containing Ru, wherein said second interlayer includes a second thickness;
• and
• a third interlayer of a third non-magnetic material above said second interlayer, said third non-magnetic material containing Ru, wherein said third interlayer includes a third thickness.