Method for optically reproducing a signal from magneto-optical recording medium

Abstract: A method of reproducing a signal from a magneto-­ optical recording medium is disclosed in which the medium is formed of a first magnetic film (11), a second magnetic film (12) and a third magnetic film (13) magnetically coupled to one another at room temperature T RT , wherein the Curie points Tc1, Tc2 and Tc3 of the first, second and third magnetic films are in the relationship of Tc2 > T RT , Tc2 < Tc1, and Tc2 < Tc3, and the coercive force Hc1 of the first magnetic film (11) is sufficiently small in the vicinity of the Curie point Tc2 of the second magnetic film (12), while the coercive force Hc3 of the third magnetic film (13) is sufficiently greater than a required magnetic field intensity within a temperature range between the room temperature T RT and a predetermined temperature T PB higher than the Curie point Tc2 of the second magnetic film. In reproducing a signal from the magneto-optical recording medium, the medium is heated to the predetermined temperature T PB to interrupt the magnetic coupling between the first (11) and third magnetic film (12) under an application of magnetic field to cause change of domain size in said first magnetic film (11), thus providing higher resolution of signal and improved S/N to enable high density recording.

Description: The present invention relates to a method for magneto-optically recording and reproducing digital data which may be stored in a magneto-optical recording medium as magnetic domains representing data bits. A method according to the preamble of claim 1 is known from the document FR-A-1.578.005. In this method, a position, at which a binary data value shall be recorded is heated by a laser beam, and then the magnetization direction of the first and second films are changed by using an external field. The third film always keeps its original magnetisation direction. When reproducing data, no heating is provided. The purpose of the second and third films is to increase a value of the magneto-optical effect, as it is measured to reproduce the stored information. For increasing the magneto-optical recording density, the size of each magnetic data recording domain has to be decreased. However, in the ordinary magneto-optical recording/reproducing system, the attempt of decreasing the size of the domains is limited by the wavelength of the laser beam in the reproducing mode; the numerical aperture of a lense, etc. and for insuring a satisfactory value S/R. Under the current technical circumstances, e. g. it is impossible to read out a data bit (magnetic domain) of 0.2 µm with a laser beam having a spot diameter of 1 µm. It is the object of the present invention to provide a method for magneto-optically recording and reproducing digital data, which method makes it possible to arrange bits very close to each other. The method of the present invention is defined in claim 1 as enclosed. In reproduction, the second layer is heated above its Curie temperature, having as a result that the domain in the first film, which corresponds to a digital data value to be reproduced, is no longer magnetically coupled to the magnetization in the corresponding domain in the third film. When losing the coupling, the first domain changes its size depending on the acting magnetic fields, this size being increased or decreased. Both kinds of change cause a change in the measured signal which can be easily detected. Further, when the size is increased, a bit can be detected easier than in the prior art, where the size of a recorded bit is not increased when reproducing information. When the second film is cooled down again below its Curie point, the mentioned domain in the first film is again magnetically coupled to the corresponding domain in the third film. Therefore, the third film functions as a magnetic recording retainer layer. The invention will now be explained in further details by describing an embodiment in conjunction with the attached drawings. Fig. 1 schematically shows the structure of a magneto-optical recording medium used in the method of the present invention; Figs. 2A through 2D illustrate the states of magnetization obtained by the method of the invention; Figs. 3A through 3C illustrate the states of magnetization obtained by another method of the invention; Figs. 4A through 4D show the recorded bits on the magneto-optical recording medium and output waveforms; Figs. 5A and 5B show the waveform of a reproduction output with the states of magnetization; Fig. 6 graphically shows the reproduction characteristic curves in relation to recording frequencies; Fig. 7 graphically shows a characteristic curve representing the relationship between the temperature and the inverse field intensity of the magnetic film; and Fig. 8 graphically shows the reproduction characteristic curves in relation to recording frequencies. DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present invention uses a magneto-optical recording medium S having, on its light transmitting substrate 1 as shown in Fig. 1, a transparent dielectric film 2 formed when necessary to serve as a protective film or interference film, and further having thereon a first magnetic film 11, a second magnetic film 12 and a third magnetic film 13 which are magnetically coupled to one another at room temperature T RT and have anisotropy perpendicular to the film surface, wherein the respective Curie points Tc1, Tc2 and Tc3 of the first, second and third magnetic films 11, 12 and 13 are so selected to fulfill the relationships Tc2 > T RT and Tc2 < Tc1, Tc2 < Tc3. The coercive force Hc1 of the first magnetic film 11 is small in the vicinity of the Curie point Tc2 of the second magnetic film 12. And in reproduction of such recording medium, the data bits or the recorded magnetic domains of the first magnetic film 11 are expanded or shrinked by the combination of a demagnetizing field applied thereto and an external magnetic field applied when necessary at the aforesaid predetermined temperature T PB above the Curie point Tc2 of the second magnetic film 12, and then the signal is read out in such state. If necessary, a surface protective film 4 is further formed on the third magnetic film 13. In recording the magneto-optical recording medium S to form data magnetic domains, as generally known, a laser beam is focused and irradiated while a bias magnetic field is applied in the direction reverse to the perpendicular magnetization of the first to third magnetic films 11 to 13 in the initial state, whereby the first to third magnetic films 11 to 13 are heated above the respective Curie points. And in the cooling stage posterior to scanning with the laser beam, a bubble magnetic domain inverted directionally by the external magnetic field and the stray magnetic field is formed to record, for example, data "1". That is, binary data "1" or "0" is recorded in accordance with the presence or absence of such data bubble magnetic domain. And particularly in the present invention to read out or reproduce the recorded data from such magneto-optical recording medium S, the medium portion to be read out is heated, with irradiation of a laser beam or the like, up to the predetermined temperature T PB above the Curie point Tc2 of the second magnetic film 12, so that the mutual magnetic coupling between the first and third magnetic films 11 and 13 is interrupted when the recorded data is read out in accordance with the Kerr rotation angle or Faraday rotation angle resulting from the magneto-optical interaction which depends on the presence or absence of the magnetic domain. In this state, therefore, the first magnetic film 11 is rendered free from any magnetic restriction of the third magnetic film 13, and the recorded-data magnetic domain is expanded or shrinked by the magnetic field which corresponds to the sum of a demagnetizing field and an external magnetic field applied when necessary, and also by the reduction of the coercive force of the first magnetic film 11 caused at the temperature T PB . As hereinafter explained with reference to Figs. 4C and 4D, the output changes during playback operation, due to the expansion or shrinkage of the data bits, the signal can be obtained by differentiation of the output signal proportional to the Kerr rotation angle. In this case two closely recorded data bits can be separately reproduced to enable high density recording. Further, if the first magnetic film 11 is composed of a suitable material adapted to attain a large Kerr rotation angle or Faraday rotation angle, the substantial area of the data magnetic domain can be increased due to the recorded data principally on the first magnetic film 11 to consequently provide a greater reproduction output, hence further improving the S/N (C/N). Since the reproduction is performed in a state where the recorded-data magnetic domain has been expanded with substantial increase of the read magnetic domain area, it becomes possible to increase the reproduction output to eventually enhance the S/N. And the read portion of the recording medium is cooled after reproduction of the data with displacement of the irradiation by the scanning laser beam, so that the third magnetic film 13 of a high coercive force functions as a magnetic recording retainer layer in the process where the first to third magnetic films 11 to 13 are cooled to, e.g. the room temperature T RT , and the resultant magnetization of the third magnetic film 13 acts to magnetize the second magnetic film 12 by magnetic coupling, then to magnetize the first magnetic film 11 coupled thereto magnetically, whereby the data-bit magnetic domain in the initial recording state is formed again to resume the recording state. According to the present invention, as described hereinabove, the second magnetic film 12 serving as an intermediate layer of the magneto-optical recording medium S is selectively placeable in either a magnetically coupled state or a magnetically interrupted state between the first and third magnetic films 11 and 13, so that in a reproducing operation, the second magnetic film 12 as an intermediate layer magnetically separates the first and third magnetic films 11 and 13 from each other to enable expansion or shrinkage of the data-recorded magnetic domain of the first magnetic film 11. Therefore, the third magnetic film 13 maintains its function as a magnetic recording retainer layer to retain the magnetization thereof, while the first magnetic film 11 exhibits its function as a reproducing layer to provide higher separation of signals to enable high recorded density an enhanced reproduction output when expansion of the magnetic domain occures. Consequently, the recording density can be increased to ensure a sufficient reproduction output despite minimization of the magnetic domain for bit data, whereby a higher density is rendered attainable in the recording. Now referring to Fig. 2, a description will be given below with regard to the state of magnetization obtained when each of the first to third magnetic films 11 to 13 is composed of ferromagnetic material. Suppose now that the magnetic films 11 to 13 in an initial nonrecorded state have unidirectional perpendicular magnetizations as shown in Fig. 2A. And when data "1" is recorded, a data bit or a data magnetic domain B M is formed with the magnetization directionally reverse to the initial state, as shown in Fig. 2B. In reading out the data magnetic domain B M thus formed, a laser beam L B is irradiated to the data magnetic domain B M as shown in Fig. 2C in such a manner that, as described previously, the aforesaid predetermined temperature T PB is obtained in the center, for example, of the irradiated portion. In this stage, the second magnetic film 12 is heated beyond its Curie point Tc2 so that the magnetism thereof is lost, whereby the magnetic coupling between the first and third magnetic films 11 and 13 is interrupted. When an external magnetic field Hex is applied in such a state in the same direction as the external bias magnetic field applied in the recording operation, i.e., in the direction of the original magnetization of the magnetic domain B M or that in the recording mode, then the magnetic domain B M of the first magnetic film 11, whose coercive force Hc1 is rendered smaller at the temperature T PB , is expanded by the sum of such external magnetic field and the demagnetizing field. In a state where the laser beam L B is irradiated outside the data magnetic domain B M as shown in Fig. 2D, the temperature rise caused in the data magnetic domain is relatively small, so that there occurs substantially no expansion of the data bit or magnetic domain B M . Thus, it becomes possible to expand merely the data-recorded magnetic domain B M alone existing at the center of the magnetic domains L B in the central area of the laser beam scanning in the reading mode. Referring to Fig. 3, a description will be given below with regard to the state of magnetization obtained when each of the first to third magnetic films 11 to 13 is composed of ferromagnetic material in another example. Suppose now that the magnetic films 11 to 13 in an initial nonrecorded state have unidirectional perpendicular magnetization as shown in Fig. 3A. And when data "1" is recorded, a data bit or a data magnetic domain B M is formed with the magnetization directionally reverse to the initial state, as shown in Fig. 3B. In reading out the data magnetic domain B M thus formed, a laser beam L B is irradiated to the date magnetic domain B M as shown in Fig. 3c in such a manner that, as described previously, the aforesaid predetermined temperature T PB is obtained in the center, for example, of the irradiated portion. In this stage, the second magnetic film 12 is heated beyond its Curie point Tc2 so that the magnetism thereof is lost, whereby the magnetic coupling between the first and third magnetic films 11 and 13 is interrupted. When an external magnetic field Hex is applied in such a state in the direction reverse to the external bias magnetic field applied in the recording operation, i.e. in the direction of the original magnetization of the magnetric domain B M or that in the recording mode, then the magnetic domain B M of the first magnetic film 11, whose coercive force Hc1 is rendered smaller at the temperature T PB , is shrinked to, e.g. a width W2 or is inverted by the combination of such external magnetic field Hex and the demagnetization field. Accordingly, if the data reproduced from the magnetic domain B M is outputted in the form of, for example, a differential change in the Kerr rotation angle, ao that a great output can be obtained. Since the first magnetic film 11 has a function as a reproducing layer to enhance the reproduction output by shrinking or inverting the magnetic domain in the reproducing operation, it becomes possible to obtain a sufficiently great reproduction output despite minimization of the magnetic domain as bit data, hence realizing a higher recording density. Fig. 4A shows a relationship between recorded bits B M1 , B M2 ... formed in a guide truck T and laser beam spot L B which has a much larger diameter than the recorded bits. In Fig. 4A the allow A indicates a moving direction of the magneto-optical recording medium. In Fig. 4B, the solid line shows an output waveform from the magneto-optical recording medium having recorded bits as shown in Fig. 4A with a conventional method without causing expansion or shrinkage of the recorded bits. In this conventional method the recorded bits B M1 and B M2 can't be separely reproduced, because signals obtained from each of recorded bits B M1 , B M2 which are indicated by the dotted line, overlaps with each other. Fig. 4C shows an output waveform from the magneto-optical recording medium of Fig. 4A, when the recorded bits are expanded upon playback, where the closely provided bits B M1 , B M2 can be separately reproduced. Fig. 4D shows an output waveform when the recorded bits are shrinked upon playback. Consequently, when the laser beam scanning is carried out on the magnetic recording medium where data-recorded magnetic domains B M are arrayed at equal intervals as shown in Fig. 5A, its output obtained by reading out the magnetic domain B M comes to have the waveform of Fig. 5B in which a higher level is indicated upward as compared with an ideal demagnetization level in erasing the magnetic domain B M , in case the domain is expanded at playback. Practically, when the first to third magnetic films 11 to 13 are composed of rare-earth and transition metals and have such ferrimagnetism that the sublattice magnetization of the transition metal and that of the rare-earth metal are directionally opposite to each other, it is necessary to selectively determine the direction of an external magnetic field Hex, which is applied in a reproducing operation, in accordance with whether the sublattice magnetization of the transition metal or that of the rare-earth metal is dominant in each magnetic film. Such determination will now be described below in detail. Relative to the direction of an external magnetic field Hex applied in a reproducing operation, the direction of an external bias magnetic field applied in a recording operation is regarded as a reference, and separate considerations are made as to whether the saturation magnetization of the third magnetic film 13, which occurs immediately below the Curie point Tc3 thereof and dominates the recording direction, is in a transition metal sublattice dominant state or a rare-earth sublattice dominant state. Here, the demagnetizing field and the stray magnetic field appied to the data magnetic domain B M in the first magnetic film 11 are neglected from the consideration. [1-1] In case the magnetization of the third magnetic film 13 is in a transition metal sublattice dominant state immediately below the Curie point Tc3: (1-1a) When the magnetization of the first magnetic film 11 is in a transition metal sublattice dominant state in the vicinity of the Curie point Tc2 of the second magnetic film 12, the data-recorded magnetic domain B M can be expanded by applying, in the reproducing operation, an external magnetic field in the same direction as the external magnetic field applied in the recording operation. (1-1b) When the magnetization of the first magnetic film 11 is close to zero in the vicinity of the Curie point Tc2 of the second magnetic film 12, the temperature in the reproducing operation is further raised beyond the vicinity of the Curie point Tc2 of the second magnetic film 12 so that the magnetization of the first magnetic film 11 is placed in a transition metal sublattice dominant state. In this case, the bubble magnetic domain B M can be expanded by applying an external magnetic field Hex in the same direction as in the recording mode. (1-1c) When the magnetization of the first magnetic film 11 is in a rare-earth sublattice dominant state in the vicinity of the Curie point Tc2 of the second magnetic film 12, the magnetic domain B M can be expanded by applying, in the reproducing operation, an external magnetic field Hex in the direction reverse to that in the recording mode. [2-1] In case the magnetization of the third magnetic film 13 is in a rare-earth sublattice dominant state immediately below the Curie point Tc3 thereof: (1-2a) When the magnetization of the first magnetic film 11 is in a transition metal sublattice dominant state in the vicinity of the Curie point Tc2 of the second magnetic film 12, the bubble magnetic domain B M can be expanded by applying, in the reproducing operation, an external magnetic field Hex in the direction reverse to that in the recording mode. (1-2b) When the magnetization of the first magnetic film 11 is close to zero in the vicinity of the Curie point Tc2 of the second magnetic film 12, the temperature T PB in the reproducing operation is further raised beyond the vicinity of the Curie point Tc2 of the second magnetic film 12 so that the magnetization of the first magnetic film 11 is placed in a transition metal sublattice dominant state. In this case, the magnetic domain B M can be expanded by applying an external magnetic field Hex in the direction reverse to that in the recording mode. (1-2C) When the magnetization of the first magnetic film 11 is in a rare-earth sublattice dominant state in the vicinity of the Curie point Tc2 of the second magnetic film 12, the bubble magnetic domain B M can be expanded by applying, in the reproducing operation, an external bias magnetic field Hex in the same direction as in the recording mode. [1-2] In case the magnetization of the third magnetic film 13 is in a transition metal sublattice dominant state immediately below the Curie point Tc3: (2-1a) When the magnetization of the first magnetic film 11 is in a transition metal sublattice dominant state in the vicinity of the Curie point Tc2 of the second magnetic film 12, the data-recorded magnetic domain B M can be contracted or inverted by applying, in the reproducing operation, an external magnetic field in the direction reverse to that in the recording mode. (2-1b) When the magnetization of the first magnetic film 11 is close to zero in the vicinity of the Curie point Tc2 of the second magnetic film 12, the temperature in the reproducing operation is further raised beyond the vicinity of the Curie point Tc2 of the second magnetic film 12 so that the magnetization of the first magnetic film 11 is placed in a transition metal sublattice dominant state. In this case, the bubble magnetic domain B M can be contracted or inverted by applying an external magnetic field Hex in the direction reverse to that in the recording mode. (2-1C) When the magnetization of the first magnetic film 11 is in a rare-earth sublattice dominant state in the vicinity of the Curie point Tc2 of the second magnetic film 12, the magnetic domain B M can be contracted or reversed by applying, in the reproducing operation, an external magnetic field Hex in the same direction as in the recording mode. [2-2] In case the magnetization of the third magnetic film 13 is in a rare-earth sublattice dominant state immediately below the Curie point Tc3 thereof: (2-2a) When the magnetization of the first magnetic film 11 is in a transition metal sublattice dominant state in the vicinity of the Curie point Tc2 of the second magnetic film 12, the bubble magnetic domain B M can be contracted or inverted by applying, in the reproducing operation, an external magnetic field Hex in the same direction as in the recording mode. (2-2b) When the magnetization of the first magnetic film 11 is close to zero in the vicinity of the Curie point Tc2 of the second magnetic film 12, the temperature T PB in the reproducing operation is further raised beyond the vicinity of the Curie point Tc2 of the second magnetic film 12 so that the magnetization of the first magnetic film 11 is placed in a transition metal sublattice dominatnt state. In this case, the magnetic domain B M can be contracted or inverted by applying an external magnetic field Hex in the same direction as in the recording mode. (2-2c) When the magnetization of the first magnetic film 11 is in a rare-earth sublattice dominant state in the vicinity of the Curie point Tc2 of the second magnetic film 12, the bubble magnetic domain B M can be contracted or inverted by applying, in the reproducing operation, an external bias magnetic field Hex in the direction reverse to that in the recording mode. EXAMPLE The substrate 1 is composed of a transparent material such as glass plate, plastic plate of acrylic resin, polycarbonate resin or the like and, although not shown, track grooves are formed for tracking servo on one side of the substrate with a pitch of, for example, 1.6 µm. And a dielectric film 2 composed of Si₃N₄, first to third magnetic films 11 to 13, and further a protective film 4 are formed sequentially on the substrate 1 by the technique of continuous evaporation or sputtering performed by, for example, a magnetron sputtering apparatus. The first magnetic film 11 may be composed of GdCo, GdFeCo, GdFe or the like; the second magnetic film 12 may be composed of DyFe, DyFeCo, TbFe or the like; and the third magnetic film 13 may be composed of TbFe, TbFe Co, DyFeCo or the like and composition of each layer is selected to give a suitable Tc and Hc characteristics. In such third magnetic film 13, there are formable magnetic domains B M each having a diameter smaller than 0.1 µm. A magneto-optical recording medium known as an optical disc S was produced by sequentially depositing, on a glass substrate having track grooves with a pitch of 1.6 µm, a dielectric film 2 of Si₃N₄, a first magnetic film 11 of GdFeCo, a second magnetic film of DyFeCo, a third magnetic film 13 of DyFeCo, and a protective film 4 of Si₃N₄ in the form of superposed layers with continuous sputtering performed by a magnetron sputtering apparatus. Table 1 lists below the respective thicknesses and magnetic characteristics of such magnetic films 11 to 13 as individual layers. Material Thickness (Å) Curie point (°C) Holding force (KOe) Magnetic film 11 GdFeCo 450 >330 0.2 (FeCo rich) Magnetic film 12 DyFeCo 100 93 10 (Dy rich) Magnetic film 13 DyFeCo 600 195 20 (Dy rich) In Table 1, "FeCo rich" implies a film where the FeCo sublattice magnetization is dominant at room temperature, and "Dy rich" implies a film where the Dy sublattice magnetization is dominant at room temperature. Fig. 6 graphically shows the results of measuring the dependency of the carrier level-to-noise level (C/N) on the recording frequency in the magneto-optical recording medium S of Embodiment 1. In Fig. 6, a solid-line curve represents the characteristic obtained by the use of an objective lens having a numerical aperture N.A. of 0.50 and a pickup with a laser beam wavelength of 780 nm, under the conditions including a pickup linear velocity of 7.5 m/sec, a recording power of 7.0 mW, a recording external magnetic field intensity of 500 (Oe), a reproducing external magnetic field intensity set to zero, and a reproducing power of 3.5 mW. Also in Fig. 6, a dottedline curve represents the characteristic obtained with a reproducing power of 1.5 mW. When the reproducing power is set to 1.5 mW as in this example, the frequency dependency of the C/N achieved is the same as that in a conventional optical disc having merely a single layer of TbFeCo as the entire magnetic film. This seems to result from the phenomenon that, with the reproducing power of such a small value, the heating temperature fails to reach the Curie point Tc2 of the second magnetic film 12 and therefore the recorded magnetic domain is not deformed in the reproducing operation. When the reproducing power is 3.5 mW, in comparison with the above example of 1.5 mW, the C/N is remarkably increased in a range where the magnetic domain length or bit length ℓ is smaller than 0.7 µm. Even when the bit length ℓ is equal to 0.3 µm, a desired signal component is still obtained although the C/N is low. In this case, the external magnetic field Hex was zero at playback, there is a stray field from the area surrounding the data bit. In a range where the bit length ℓ is greater than 0.7 µm, the C/N is reduced to the contrary due to increase of the noise N. It has been confirmed that if the medium portion once reproduced with a power of 3.5 mW is reproduced again, the C/N is resumed regardless of whether the latter reproducing power is 1.5 mW or 3.5 mW. If the laser beam power is maintained constant during the reproducing operation in Embodiment 1 mentioned above, the temperature profile is spread due to the thermal diffusion in the recording medium S, so that the resolution in reproducing the micro data bit (magnetic domain) is deteriorated. A steep temperature profile is attainable by performing reproduction with a pulse laser beam of a narrow width at an interval of the frequency corresponding to the minimal bit length. Furthermore, for the purpose of inducing prompt radiation of the thermal energy absorbed into the magnetic film, a radiation film of high thermal conductivity such as an aluminum film may be deposited on the therd magnetic film 13 (on the reverse side thereof with respect to the side in contact with the second magnetic film 12). Fig. 7 graphically shows a characteristic curve representing the relationship between the temperature and the inverse field intensity of the first magnetic film 11 in the magneto-optical recording medium S of the example. And Fig. 8 graphically shows the results of measuring the dependency of the carrier level-to-noise level (C/N) on the recording frequency in the medium S. In Fig. 8, a solid-line curve represents the characteristic obtained by the use of an objective lens having a numerical aperture N.A. of 0.50 and a pickup with a laser beam wavelength of 780 nm, under the conditions including a pickup linear velocity of 7.5 m/sec, a recording power of 7.0 mW, a recording external magnetic field having an intensity of 500 (Oe), a reproducing external magnetic field having an intensity of 600 (Oe) and applied in the same direction as the recording external magnetic field, and a reproducing power of 3.5 mW. Also in Fig. 8, a broken-line curve represents the characteristic obtained with a reproducing power of 1.5 mW. When the reproducing power is set to 1.5 mW as in this example, the frequency dependency of the C/N achieved is the same as that in a conventional optical disc having merely a single layer of TbFeCo as the entire magnetic film. This seems to result from the phenomenon that, with the reproducing power of such a small value, the heating temperature fails to reach the Curie point Tc2 of the second magnetic film 12 and therefore the recorded magnetic domain is not deformed in the recording operation. When the reproducing power is 3.5 mW, in comparison with the above example of 1.5 mW, the C/N is remarkably increased in a range where the magnetic domain length or bit length ℓ is smaller than 0.7 µm. Even with the bit length ℓ is equal to 0.3 µm, a desired signal component is still obtained although the C/N is low. In a range where the bit length ℓ is greater than 0.7 µm, the C/N is reduced to the contrary due to increase of the noise N. Further in Fig. 8, a one-dot chain line represents the characteristic measured with a reproducing power of 3.5 mW (ℓ < 0.5 µm) and the external magnetic field intensity Hex set to 0 (Oe). As shown, when the bit length ℓ is smaller than 0.5 µm, the C/N obtained with Hex = 600 (Oe) is higher than the ratio with Hex = 0 (Oe). It has been confirmed that if the medium portion once reproduced with a power of 3.5 mW is reproduced again, the C/N is resumed regardless of whether the latter reproducing power is 1.5 mW or 3.5 mW. If the laser beam power is maintained constant during the reproducing operation in Example mentioned above, the temperature profile is spread due to the thermal diffusion in the recording medium S, so that the resolution in reproducing the micro data bit (magnetic domain) is deteriorated. A steep temperature profile is attainable by performing reproduction with a pulse laser beam of a narrow width at an interval of the frequency corresponding to the minimal bit length. Furthermore, for the purpose of inducing prompt radiation of the thermal energy absorbed into the magnetic film, a radiation film of high thermal conductivity such as an aluminum film may be deposited on the third magnetic film 13 (on the reverse side thereof with respect to the side in contact with the second magnetic film 12). As described hereinabove, according to the present invention having a laminous structure of first, second and third magnetic films 11, 12 and 13, such three magnetic films are retained in a magnetically coupled state with one another at normal temperature, and when heated in a reproducing operation, the second magnetic film 12 functions to interrupt the magnetic coupling between the first and third magnetic films 11 and 13, thereby expanding or shrinking the data-recorded magnetic domain of the first magnetic film 11 to consequently improve the resolution S/N (C/N) of the reproduction output, and still the recording state can be held with regard to the third magnetic film 13. Therefore, after termination of the reproduction, the recording state can be restored to eventually ensure the satisfactory reproduction characteristics without impairing repeated reproduction. Furthermore, since the present invention is capable of providing a sufficiently great reproduction output as mentioned above, it becomes possible to realize dimensional reduction of the data magnetic domains B M to consequently increase the recording density. Besides the above, even in another structure of the magneto-optical recording medium where track grooves are formed in its base, the data magnetic domains B M can still be reduced dimensionally. Therefore, the recording magnetic domains are formable not merely in land portions alone as in any ordinary medium but also in both land portions and track grooves, hence further enhancing the data recording density.

Claims: A method for reproducing digital data by a magneto-optical method from a magneto-optical recording medium comprising a first magnetic film (11), a second magnetic film (12), and a third magnetic film (13) magnetically coupled to one another at room temperature T RT , wherein the Curie points Tc1, Tc2, and Tc3, respectively, of the first, second and third magnetic films are in the relationships of Tc2 > T RT , Tc2 < Tc1, and Tc2 < Tc3; characterized in that when all three films are magnetized in the same original direction in respective domains at a position at which a binary data value is recorded; and when reproducing said binary data value, the magnetizations of the first magnetic film (11) and the third magnetic film (13) are kept independent from the temperature and possibly applied external fields used in reproduction, and each position corresponding to a data value is heated to a predetermined temperature T PB above said Curie point Tc2 of said second magnetic film, whereby the corresponding domain within said first magnetic film changes its size, thereby the value and direction of the change being dependent from the value and direction of a possibly applied external magnetic field, from the demagnetization field acting on said domain and from the coercive force Hc1 of the material of said first magnetic film, which coercive force tends to decrease when said material is heated, thereby promoting a change of the size of said domain. A method according to claim 1, characterized in that in reproduction, an external magnetic field is applied in the direction corresponding to said original direction, to increase the size of said domain. A method according to claim 1, characterized in that in reproduction, an external magnetic field is applied in the direction opposite to said original direction to decrease the size of said domain. A method according to one of the claims 1 to 3, characterized in that in reproduction, the magnetization of a domain is measured before and after the heating, to detect a change in the measured signal due to the change of the size of said domain.

Inventors: ARATANI KATSUHISA, KOHNO MINORU, WATANABE KENJIRO, ARATANI, KATSUHISA, KOHNO, MINORU, WATANABE, KENJIRO
Applicants: SONY CORP, SONY CORPORATION
Application year: 1988
Main classification: G11B11
IPC codes: G11B11