Method and apparatus for writing and reading a magneto-optical record carrier

摘要

A method and apparatus for writing and reading information in the form of a pattern of magnetic domains in an information layer of a record carrier. An optical scanning beam is focused to a diffraction-limited radiation spot, and a magnetic field is generated by a coil supplied with an energizing current the amplitude of which is modulated by the information signal to be recorded. The magnetic field is thereby modulated, and produces magnetic domains in the information layer such that each domain has a variable number of sub-domains and consequently a variable magnetization ratio, as determined by the information signal. This permits recording at an information density exceeding that corresponding to the size of the radiation spot.