High track density magneto-optical readout of magnetic tapes

The track resolution capability of a new magneto-optical multitrack readout head for magnetic tape is evaluated. The magnetic contribution to the track-to-track crosstalk is experimentally measured through the optical scanning of the transducer. This experimental measurement is compared to 3D transmission line calculation and to finite element simulation. Anisotropy of soft poles leads to a strong decrease of magnetic crosstalk. The optical contribution to the crosstalk is also calculated. These results permit one to foresee that this magneto-optical thin film technology will be able to accommodate very high track density up to the optical resolution limit (2.5 ktpi) despite the continuous structure of the poles