An embodiment of the invention is a layered magnetic thin film structure that uses antiferromagnetically coupled (AFC) magnetic layers where the top layer structure consists of an upper magnetic layer that is weakly ferromagnetically coupled via a nonmagnetic or weakly magnetic exchange coupling layer (interlayer) to a ferromagnetic exchange enhancing layer that is in turn, AF coupled to the lower ferromagnetic layer of the AFC structure. Preferred materials for the weak coupling layer include alloys of cobalt such as CoRu, CoBRu and CoCr in which the Co content is below the point at which the material would be ferromagnetic. A second embodiment of the invention is a laminated, AF-coupled media structure. In this structure the lower AFC layer that makes up the lower laminate layer includes: the middle magnetic layer, the weak ferromagnetic coupling layer, and the exchange enhancing layer.