Magneto-optical reproducing method using a magnified magnetic domain

摘要

A method for reproducing information from a magneto-optical medium which includes a memory layer composed of magnetic film and a displacement layer composed of a magnetic film laminated with the memory layer is provided. Information signals are recorded on magnetized areas arranged in a predetermined direction on the memory layer. Domain walls having arc shapes curved in the same direction are formed on borders of the magnetized areas. The method includes the steps of: forming a high temperature area having shape of a circle or an elongated circle in the medium by scanning an array of the magnetized areas on the memory layer with a light spot in a direction toward convexities of the arc shapes of the magnetized areas; transferring one of the magnetized areas together with a domain wall to the displacement layer when a front end of the high temperature area reaches a domain wall at a front end of one of the magnetized areas in the memory layer in accordance with the scanning with the light spot; displacing the domain wall of the magnetized area transferred to the displacement layer toward a center of the high temperature area to magnify the magnetized area; and reproducing information by detecting reflected rays of the light spot in a condition where the magnetized area transferred to the displacement layer is magnified.