a substrate;

a magnetic recording layer (MRL) on the substrate; and

an etched capping layer comprising CoCrPtBRu directly on the MRL,

wherein a thickness of the etched capping layer is in a range from 11 Å to 15 Å, inclusive,

wherein the etched capping layer comprises Cr at 4.5 to 6.5 atomic percent and is doped with Ru in a range from 1 atomic percent to 5 atomic percent, inclusive,

wherein the etched capping layer comprises a magnetic layer that is furthest from the substrate among all magnetic layers in the magnetic recording medium, and

wherein a surface roughness of the etched capping layer is less than 4 Angstrom (Å).