Exchange-coupled magnetooptical recording medium with first layer having smaller vertical orientation saturation magnetization than in-plane orientation saturation magnetization of second layer

摘要

An overwritable magneto-optical recording medium is disclosed. The recording medium comprises a first magnetic layer exhibiting vertical magnetic anisotropy and a second magnetic layer having a higher Curie temperature and a lower coercive force at room temperature in comparison with the first magnetic layer and exchange coupled with the first magnetic layer, wherein the second magnetic layer exhibits in-plane magnetic anisotropy and vertical magnetic anisotropy at room temperature and the vertical magnetic anisotropy relative to the in-plane magnetic anisotropy becomes larger in the vicinity of the Curie temperature of the first magnetic layer than at room temperature. Further, a recording method using the magneto-optical recording medium is also disclosed.