Advanced recording method using a near-field optics and the GMR head

Magneto-optical recording media are among the interesting perpendicular media. Such media have a potential for ultra-high-density recording, because the material is amorphous and does not have grain structure. To draw out the potential of magneto-optical recording media, we have proposed a new recording method using thermo-magnetic writing by a focused light and magnetic flux detection for readout. Firstly, we demonstrated that the resolution was substantially improved over that of the latest magneto-optical disk drives by the magnetic flux detection from a bilayered magnetic-exchange-coupled medium. The layers consist of a TbDyFeCo magnetic layer with high flux density on a conventional TbFeCo recording layer.