Magneto-optic recording medium

Abstract: A magneto-optic recording medium which is comprised of a first, a second, a third and a fourth magnetic layers coupled each other between the adjacent layers by an ex­ change force, wherein said first through fourth magnetic layers satisfy T c1 <T c2 , T c3 <T c2 , T c1 <T c4 and T c3 <T c4 in relation to respective Curie points and satisfy the follow­ ing conditions at room temperature; (1) the direction of sublattice magnetizations of the transition metal (TM) of the third and fourth magnetic lay­ ers is coincident with each other in the initializing mag­ netic field, (2) a magnetic field necessary for changing the direc­ tion of sublattice magnetization of TM of the first magnetic layer from the state where it is coincident with that of the second magnetic layer to the state where it is reverse to that of the second magnetic layer when the direction of sub­ lattice magnetization of TM of the second magnetic layer is reverse to that of the third and fourth magnetic layers is larger than a magnetic field necessary for changing the direction of sublattice magnetization of TM of the second magnetic layer from the state where it is coincident with that of the first magnetic layer to the state where it is reverse to that of the first magnetic layer when the direc­ tion of sublattice magnetization of TM of the first magnetic layer is reverse to that of the third and fourth magnetic layers, (3) the magnetization of the fourth magnetic layer is not inverted during recording and reproducing, and (4) the magnetization of the first magnetic layer is not inverted by the inversion of the magnetization of the second magnetic layer.

Description: This invention relates to a magneto-optic recording medium designed to overwrite data directly through optical modulation. Referring to Figs. 1, 2 and 3, there respectively are indicated a perspective view substantially illustrating the structure of a conventional optical recording/reproducing apparatus disclosed, for example, in a draft for a speech at the 34th Applied Physics Related Convention, spring in 1987, 28P-ZL-3, a cross sectional view showing the optically recording/reproducing state of a conventional magneto-optic recording medium and a graph showing the characteristic of the change of the laser beam power for recording in the area of the conventional magneto-optic recording medium. A magneto-optic recording medium 1 (hereinafter referred to as a recording medium 1) in Figs. 1-3 is comprised of a substrate 2 made of glass or plastic, a first magnetic layer 3 made of, e.g., Tb₂₁Fe₇₉ and a second magnetic layer 4 made of, e.g., Gd₂₄Tb₃Fe₇₃. The recording medium 1 is rotated in a direction shown by an arrow a of Figs. 1 and 2 by a driving mechanism (not shown). The first magnetic layer 3 is similar to a recording layer in a general magneto-optic disk and works as a recording layer and a read-out layer in this invention. The second magnetic layer 4 is called an auxiliary layer, works so that an overwriting function, that is, a function to overwrite a new data on an old data at real time is effected, which will be described later. The exchange coupling force exerted between the first and second magnetic layers 3 and 4 is effective to make the direction of magnetization of the first magnetic layer 3 coincident with that of the magnetic layer 4. Supposing that the first and second magnetic layers 3 and 4 have the Curie points T c1 and T c2 , the coercive force around the room temperature H c1 and H c2 , and the exchange coupling force at the room temperature H w1 and H w2 , respectively, the following formulae are satisfied; T c1 <T c2 H c1 -H w1 >H c2 +H w2 (P type) An objective lens 5 is provided above the recording medium 1. It condenses a laser beam and forms a condensing spot 6 on the recording medium 1. A bias magnet 8 confronts to the objective lens 5 to generate a magnetic field of 200-600 Oe, with the recording medium 1 between the objective lens 5 and the bias magnet 8. Further, an initializing magnet 9 is provided at the upper side than the bias magnet 8 in the rotating direction of the recording medium 1, which generates about 5 KOe magnetic field to initialize the second magnetic layer 4. In Fig. 1, the left side to the one-dot chain line represents a new data (DN) area, while the right side to that represents an old data (DO) area. Meanwhile, numeral 7 in Fig. 2 designates an area where a binary-coded data is "1" having the direction of magnetization of the first magnetic layer 3 oriented upwards. Furthermore, an axis of ordinate in the graph of Fig. 3 expresses the laser beam power, and an axis of abscissa represents the area, with R₁ and R₀ representing the laser beam power for recording the data "1" and the laser beam power for recording the data "0", respectively. The operation of the recording medium 1 will be discussed hereinbelow. In the first place, description is directed to the reproducing operation of data recorded in the recording layer, that is, first magnetic layer 3. As shown in Fig. 2, the first magnetic layer 3 is magnetized upwards or downwards in a thicknesswise direction corresponding to the binary code, namely, "1" and "0". For reproducing the recorded data, the direction of the magnetization of the first magnetic layer 3 at the condensing spot 6 is converted to optical data by the conventionally known optical Kerr effect to detect the data in the recording medium 1. At this time, the power of the laser beam radiated to the recording medium 1 is corresponding to a power A shown in the graph of Fig. 4, which shows a temperature change of magnetic layer in spot in relation to laser beam power. When the recording medium 1 is radiated at the condensing spot 6 by the laser beam of this power, the maximum temperature of each of the first and second magnetic layers 3 and 4 does not reach its Curie point T c1 or T c2 . Therefore, even when the recording medium 1 is radiated by the laser beam of this power, the direction of magnetization, i.e., recording data is never erased. Overwriting operation will now be discussed. The initializing magnet 9 of Fig. 1 generates a magnetic field of the intensity H ini in a direction shown by an arrow b (upwards). The relation of the magnetic field H ini to the coercive forces and exchange coupling forces of the first and second magnetic layers 3 and 4 is expressed as follows; H c1 -H w1 >H ini >H c2 +H w2 Accordingly, when the recording medium 1 is rotated in the direction of arrow a and passes through the position of the initializing magnet 9, the direction of magnetization of the second magnetic layer 4 is made upwards irrespective of the magnetization direction of the first magnetic layer 3. At this time, the magnetization direction of the first magnetic layer 3 is maintained as it is without being influenced by the magnetic field generated by the initializing magnet 9 or by the exchange coupling force exerted by the second magnetic layer 4 at around the room temperature. In recording the data "1", i.e., when the direction of the magnetization of the first magnetic layer 3 is made upwards, the power of the laser beam corresponds to a power B in Fig. 4. At this time, the temperature in the condensing spot 6 is raised to exceed the Curie point T c1 of the first magnetic layer 3, but does not reach the Curie point T c2 of the second magnetic layer 4. Accordingly, although the magnetization of the first magnetic layer 3 is erased, the direction of magnetization of the second magnetic layer 4 is maintained upwards as oriented by the initializing magnet 9. Subsequently, when the recording medium 1 is further rotated with the condensing spot 6 away and the temperature of the first magnetic layer 3 becomes lower than the Curie point T c1 , the direction of magnetization of the second magnetic layer 4 is transferred to the first magnetic layer 3, whereby the first magnetic layer 3 is magnetized upwards, that is, in the direction corresponding to the data "1". On the other hand, in recording the data "0" to orient the magnetization of the first magnetic layer 3 in the downward direction, the power of the laser beam corresponds to a power C shown in Fig. 4. The temperature in the condensing spot 6 is raised, exceeding not only the Curie point T c1 of the first magnetic layer 3 but the Curie point T c2 of the second magnetic layer 4. As a result, both the first and second magnetic layers 3 and 4 are demagnetized in the condensing spot 6. When the recording medium 1 is further rotated, with the condensing spot away and the temperature of the second magnetic layer 4 becomes lower than the Curie point T c2 , the magnetization direction of the second magnetic layer 4 is made downwards by a weak magnetic field applied by the bias magnet 8 in a direction shown by an arrow c. In the succeeding step where the temperature of the first magnetic layer 3 becomes lower than the Curie point T c1 , the magnetization direction of the second magnetic layer 4 is transferred to the first magnetic layer 3, whereby the direction of magnetization of the first magnetic layer 3 is made downwards, i.e., in the direction corresponding to the data "0". Thus, by changing the power of the laser beam to a power B or C in accordance with the binary code "0" or "1" to be recorded, a new data can be overwritten at real time on the old data. Since the conventional magneto-optic recording medium is constituted in the above-described structure, the inverted magnetic field of the second magnetic layer at the room temperature is as large as 3 KOe, whereby an initializing magnet able to generate at least 3 KOe or larger magnetic field is necessary. Accordingly, the conventional optical recording/reproducing apparatus using the magneto-optic recording medium is disadvantageously bulky in size and is not free from adverse influences given by the large initializing magnetic field. EP-A-0 382 859 (not prepublished) discloses a magneto-optic recording medium comprising a first magnetic layer having perpendicular magnetic anisotropy, superposed on a substrate; a second magnetic layer superposed on said first magnetic layer and coupled thereto by an exchange force; a third magnetic layer superposed on said second magnetic layer and coupled thereto by an exchange force; a fourth magnetic layer superposed on said third magnetic layer and coupled thereto by an exchange force; each of said first through fourth magnetic layers including a transition metal; said first through fourth magnetic layers satisfying the conditions T c1 <T c2 , T c3 <T c2 , T c1 <T c4 , T c3 <T c4 ; T ci representing the Curie point of the i-th magnetic layer; wherein at room temperature the fourth magnetic layer is provided in a manner that its magnetization is not invertable during recording and reproducing; and the first and second magnetic layers are provided in a manner that the magnetization of said first magnetic layer is not invertable by the invertion of the magnetization of said second magnetic layer. The magnetic-optical recording medium uses a bias magnetic field to change the direction of magnetization of the first layer in a high writing process. In a lower writing process, the orientation of the magnetization is changed by the second magnetic layer having an orientation depending on the net magnetization of the fourth magnetic layer. When cooling down, the second magnetic layer is initialized at a temperature above room temperature, not needing an initializing magnetic field. EP-A-0 352 548 (not prepublished) discloses a magneto-optic recording medium comprising a first magnetic layer having perpendicular magnetic anisotropy, superposed on a substrate; a second magnetic layer superposed on said first magnetic layer and coupled thereto by an exchange force; a third magnetic layer superposed on said second magnetic layer and coupled thereto by an exchange force; a fourth magnetic layer superposed on said third magnetic layer and coupled thereto by an exchange force; each of said first through fourth magnetic layers including a transition metal; said first through fourth magnetic layers satisfying the conditions T c1 <T c2 ,T c1 <T c4 , T c3 <T c4 , T ci representing the Curie point of the i-th magnetic layer; wherein at room temperature the magnetic field necessary for changing the direction of sublattice magnetization of the transition metal of said first magnetic layer is greater than the magnetic field necessary for changing the direction of sublattice magnetization of the transition metal of said second magnetic layer, from the state where said directions of sublattice magnetization of the transition metal of said first and second magnetic layers are coincident with each other and reverse to that of said third and fourth magnetic layers, the direction of magnetization of the fourth layer of the magneto-optic recording medium being inverted during the writing process. EP-A-0 258 978 discloses a magneto-optical recording medium comprising a substrate and four magnetic layers. Each magnetic layer is composed of a substance exhibiting a vertical magnetic anisotropy and a magneto-optical effect, e.g. an amorphous alloy of a rare-earth element and a transition metal element. The Curie temperature of the first and the fourth layer is higher than that of the second and the third layer. The coercitive forces of the second magnetic layer is greater than that of the fourth layer which again dominates the first and third layer. The magneto-optical disk being rotated passes a magnetic field generating unit generating an upward magnetic field of an intensity level higher than the coercive force of the fourth magnetic layer and lower than the coercive force of the second magnetic layer, thus uniformly magnetizing the fourth layer, and the strongly thereto coupled third layer. A laser providing unit is able to provide a laser beam with two power levels, the first one close to the Curie temperature of the fourth layer, the second one close to the Curie temperature of the second layer, while a bias magnetic field is provided for a magnetic conversion of the fourth magnetic layer in the second power level. The invention has the object to provide a magneto-optic recording medium designed to overwrite data even if the initializing magnetic field is small, thereby allowing to use a simplified and compact recording apparatus. The invention is defined by claim 1. The invention will be described by an embodiment according to the figures wherein: Fig. 1 is a perspective view substantially showing the structure of a conventional optical recording/reproducing apparatus; Fig. 2 is a sectional view showing the optically recording/reproducing state of a conventional mangeto-optic recording medium; Fig. 3 is a graph showing the characteristic of the change of the laser beam power for recording in the area of the conventional magneto-optic recording medium; Fig. 4 is a graph showing the characteristic of the relation between the power of the laser beam and the temperature of a magnetic layer in a spot of the conventional magneto-optic recording medium; Fig. 5 is a perspective view substantially showing the structure of an optical recording/reproducing apparatus provided with a magneto-optic recording medium according to this invention; Fig. 6 is a sectional view showing the optically recording/reproducing state of the magneto-optic recording medium according to this invention; Fig. 7 is a graph showing the characteristic of the relation between the power of the laser beam and the temperature of a magnetic layer in a spot of the magneto-optic recording medium according to this invention. This invention will now be fully described with reference to the accompanying drawings in conjunction with preferred embodiments thereof. Referring to Figs. 5 and 6, numerals 5 through 9 represent the same parts as in the conventional example. A magneto-optic recording medium 10 of this invention (referred to as a recording medium 10 hereinbelow) is comprised of a transparent substrate 11 made of glass or plastic, a first magnetic layer 12, a second magnetic layer 13, a third magnetic layer 14 and a fourth magnetic layer 15 sequentially superposed in this order on the transparent substrate 11. These four magnetic layers 12, 13, 14 and 15 are coupled each other between the adjacent layers by the exchange force. It is particularly effective when the four magnetic layers are all composed of an alloy of rare-earth and transition metals. In the event that each magnetic layer is composed of an alloy of rare-earth and transition metals, the direction and intensity of the magnetization appearing outside of each alloy depends on the relation between the direction and intensity of the sublattice magnetization (magnetic moment per unit volume) of atoms of the transition metal (referred to as TM hereinafter) in the alloy and the direction and intensity of the sublattice magnetization of the rare-earth metal (referred to as RE hereinafter) in the alloy. For example, when the direction and intensity of the sublattice magnetization of the TM is represented by a vector , that of the RE is represented by a vector ↑, and that of the total alloy is represented by a vector , the vector is the sum of the vectors and ↑. It is to be noted here that the vectors and ↑ are always in the reverse direction each other in the alloy due to the interaction between the sublattice magnetization of TM and that of RE. Accordingly, when the intensity of the vector or ↓ is the same as that of the vector ↑ or , the sum of these vectors, i.e., the vector of the total alloy (namely, the magnetization appearing outside) is zero. The composition of the alloy when the vector thereof is zero is called as a compensation composition. The alloy in the composition other than the compensation composition is magnetized with the same intensity as the difference between the sublattice magnetization of TM and that of RE, and in the same direction ( or ) as the direction of the larger vector. Therefore, appears as , while appears as . When the vector of the sublattice magnetization of RE in an alloy is larger than the vector of the sublattice magnetization of TM, the composition of the alloy is called as RE-rich. The aforementioned four magnetic layers 12-16 are either TM-rich or RE rich. For example, the magnetic layers 12-15 are formed of ferrimagnetic material on the glass substrate through sputtering or the like, specifically, in the following constitution; Composition Thickness Type 1st Tb₂₃(Fe₉₀Co₁₀)₇₇ 800Å Compensation 2nd (Gd₅₀)Dy₅₀)₂₅(Fe₇₀Co₃₀)₇₅ 1000Å RE-rich 3rd Tb₁₈Fe₈₂ 100Å TM-rich 4th Tb₂₅Co₇₅ 300Å RE-rich The adjacent magnetic layers are coupled to each other by the exchange force. The fourth magnetic layer 16 has a coercive force of 7 KOe at room temperature, and has a coercive force not smaller than 700 Oe from the room temperature to about 300°C. Therefore, the magnetization of the fourth magnetic layer 15 is never inverted at about the room temperature by the initializing magnetic field, nor inverted by the temperature rise subsequent to the irradiation of the laser beam for recording. When the magnetization of the whole fourth magnetic layer 15 is once oriented upwards by an electromagnet or the like after the layer is formed, the direction of magnetization of the fourth magnetic layer 15 can be maintained semi-permanently. The fourth magnetic layer 15 according to this embodiment is changed into the compensation composition approximately at 120°C and becomes TM-rich over 120°C, so that the direction of magnetization appears downwards. However, this is because the symbol of the direction of magnetization is changed in compliance with the temperature change, not resulting from the inversion of the magnetization. The "inversion of the magnetization" referred to above means the inversion of the sublattice magnetization. When the magnetization of the whole fourth magnetic layer 15 is oriented upwards, the sublattice of TM of the fourth magnetic layer 15 is magnetized downwards. This downward magnetization is maintained semi-permanently. In the meantime, the exchange force exerted between the adjacent magnetic layers is effective to make the direction of sublattice magnetizations of each TM coincident with each other. Therefore, when the sublattice magnetization of TM of the fourth magnetic layer 15 is oriented downwards at all times, the direction of sublattice magnetization of TM of the second magnetic layer 13 is always kept downwards by the exchange force through the third magnetic layer 14. The third magnetic layer 14 has two characteristic features, i.e., (1) film thickness is considerably small, and (2) Curie point is low. Since the third magnetic layer 14 is considerably thin, it is strongly influenced by the exchange force, so that the sublattice magnetization of TM of the third magnetic layer 14 is oriented downwards in the same direction as the sublattice magnetization of TM of the fourth magnetic layer 15. Although the third magnetic layer 14 is coupled not only to the fourth magnetic layer 15, but to the second magnetic layer 13, it is coupled to the fourth magnetic layer 15 more strongly, whereby its magnetization is oriented in the direction coincident with that of the fourth magnetic layer 15. The exchange force from the fourth magnetic layer 15 is exerted to the second magnetic layer 13 through the third magnetic layer 14, so that the sublattice magnetization of TM of the second magnetic layer 13 is oriented downwards. However, the exchange force is not always exerted. Since the Curie point of the third magnetic layer 14 is as low as about 100°C, the exchange force is not exerted when the temperature of the medium exceeds 100°C through irradiation of the laser beam during recording. As described above, the exchange force is exerted from the fourth magnetic layer 15 to the second magnetic layer 13 depending on the third magnetic layer 14. That is, when the temperature of the medium is higher than the Curie point of the third magnetic layer 14, the exchange force is not exerted (turned OFF). In contrast, when the temperature of the medium is lower than the Curie point of the third layer 14, the exchange force is exerted (turned ON). In summary, the function of the fourth and third magnetic layers 15 and 14 is as follows; 4th magnetic layer 15: to exert the exchange force through the exchange coupling so that the direction of sublattice magnetization of TM of the second magnetic layer 13 is oriented downwards. 3rd magnetic layer 14: to turn ON and OFF the exchange coupling in accordance with the temperature of the medium. The first and second magnetic layers 12 and 13 serve similarly to the conventional ones. Supposing that Curie points of the first through fourth magnetic layers 12-15 are respectively T c1 , T c2 , T c3 and T c4 , they satisfy T c4 >T c2 >T c1 >T c3 . Moreover, the layers 12-15 should satisfy the following magnetic characteristics at the room temperature. (1) In the initializing magnetic field H ini , the direction of sublattice magnetization of TM of the third magnetic layer 14 is the same downwards as that of the fourth magnetic layer 15. (2) With reference to the above diagrams, the magnetic field H₂ necessary for changing the state [1] to the state [2], the magnetic field H₁ necessary for changing the state [1] to the state [3], and the initializing magnetic field H ini hold the relation expressed by H₂<H ini <H₁. Overwriting operation by using the recording medium 10 with the four-superposed structure as above will be discussed in detail hereinbelow. - Initializing process - The initializing magnet 9 in Fig. 5 generates the initializing magnetic field of the intensity H ini in the b direction (upwards). The relation among the magnetic fields H₂, H₁ and initializing magnetic field H ini holds the formula H₂<H ini <H₁ as depicted in the item (2) above. So, when the recording medium 10 is rotated in the direction of arrow a, the direction of magnetization of the second magnetic layer 13 passing through the initializing magnet 9 is oriented upwards irrespective of the direction of magnetization of the first magnetic layer 12. In other words, the direction of sublattice magnetization of TM of the second magnetic layer 13 is completely oriented downwards (state [2]). At this time, the direction of magnetization of the first magnetic layer 12 is not inverted by the influence of the initializing magnetic field or the exchange force of the second magnetic layer 13, so that the direction of magnetization of the first magnetic layer 12 is maintained as it is. As a result, the binary-coded data recorded in the first magnetic layer 12 are never broken during the initializing process. - Overwriting process - In order to record the data "0", namely, to orient the direction of sublattice magnetization of TM of the first magnetic layer 12 downwards, the power of the laser beam corresponds to a power B in Fig. 7. The temperature in the condensing spot 6 is raised at this time up to about the Curie point T c1 of the first magnetic layer 12, but does not reach the Curie point T c2 of the second magnetic layer 13. In consequence, the magnetization of the first magnetic layer 12 is erased or brought unstable. However, the direction of magnetization of the second magnetic layer 13 is kept upwards as obtained in the initializing process. When the recording medium 10 is further rotated with the condensing spot 6 away and the temperature of the recording medium 10 decreases, the direction of sublattice magnetization of TM of the first magnetic layer 12 is made downwards by the exchange force from the second magnetic layer 13. Thus, the data "0" is written. In order to record the data "1", that is, to orient the direction of sublattice magnetization of TM of the first magnetic layer 12 upwards, the power of the laser beam corresponds to a power C in Fig. 7. At this time, the temperature in the condensing spot 6 is raised over the Curie point T c1 up to about the Curie point T c2 . As a result, the magnetization of the first magnetic layer 12 is erased, and moreover, the magnetization of the second magnetic layer 13 becomes unstable or erased. When the recording medium 10 is further rotated with the condensing spot 6 away and the temperature of the recording medium 10 decreases, the magnetization of the whole of the second magnetic layer 13 is made upwards by a bias magnetic field H b in the c direction (upwards) in Fig. 6 by the bias magnet 8. Since the temperature at this time exceeds a compensation temperature of the second magnetic layer 13, the layer 13 is TM-rich. Accordingly, the sublattice magnetization of TM of the second magnetic layer 13 is oriented upwards. When the temperature becomes lower than the Curie point T c1 , the direction of sublattice magnetization of the first magnetic layer 12 is coincident with that of the second magnetic layer 13 by the exchange force. In other words, the sublattice magnetization of TM of the first magnetic layer 12 is directed upwards, thereby achieving writing of the data "1". During the overwriting process, the third and fourth magnetic layers 14 and 15 do not work. It is important that the both layers 14 and 15 do not have any function when the data "1" is being recorded. If the exchange force is exerted at around the Curie point T c2 from the fourth magnetic layer 15 with the downward sublattice magnetization of TM to the second magnetic layer 13,- it prevents the data from being written in the second magnetic layer 13 by the bias magnetic field (that is, preventing the sublattice magnetization of TM of the second magnetic layer 13 from being oriented upwards). As mentioned earlier, however, the exchange coupling between the fourth and second magnetic layers 15 and 13 is turned OFF by the third magnetic layer 14 at about the Curie point T c2 (>T c3 ), so that the data can be easily written in the second magnetic layer 13 by the bias magnetic field. In the manner as above, data can be overwritten at real time on the old data by changing the power of the laser beam to B and C in Fig. 7 in compliance with the binary code "0" and "1" of the data to be recorded. Although both the "initializing process" and the "overwriting process" are explained hereinabove, the "initializing process" is characteristic of the magneto-optic recording medium of this invention. In the initializing process, the relation of the initializing magnetic field H ini to the magnetic fields H₂ and H₁ is expressed by the formula H₂<H ini <H₁ as is described earlier. The minimum value of the H ini is H₂ according to this formula. Therefore, H ini can be smaller by reducing H₂. H₂ in the conventional recording medium 1 of the double-superposed structure is a magnetic field necessary for inducing a transition as below. The magnetic field H₂ can be expressed by an equation, H 2 conventional example = H c2 + σ w12 2M s2 t 2 wherein H c2 represents the coercive force of the second magnetic layer 4, M s2 represents the saturation magnetization thereof, t₂ represents the film thickness thereof and σ w12 represents the surface magnetic wall energy stored between the first and second magnetic layers 3 and 4. On the other hand, the magnetic field H₂ in the recording medium 10 with four-superposed structure of this invention can be expressed by an equation, H 2 this invention = H c2 + (σ w12 - σ w23 ) 2M s2 t 2 wherein σ w23 the surface magnetic wall energy stored between the second and third magnetic layers 13 and 14. According to the equations (a) and (b), H₂ (conventional example)>H₂ (this invention) is satisfied, whereby it is clear that H ini can be smaller by the recording medium 10 of this invention than by the conventional recording medium 1. This is based on the fact that the exchange force from the fourth magnetic layer 15 to the second magnetic layer 13 is exerted in the same direction as H ini . Favorable overwriting operation is confirmed under the following conditions using the magneto-optic recording medium of this embodiment. C/N is 47dB at 5.5MHz, and the initializing magnetic field is 500 Oe, not larger than 1/6 as compared with the conventional example, thereby dispensing with an initializing magnet. The bias magnet can be employed instead. - Other embodiments - The other embodiments of this invention will be indicated in Table 1, wherein, except the embodiment 9, overwriting operation is confirmed. Particularly, embodiments 1-6 show favorable operation. As this invention may be embodied in several forms without departing from the spirit of essential characteristics thereof, the present embodiment is therefore illustrative and not restrictive, since the scope of the invention is defined by the appended claims rather than by the description preceding them, and all changes that fall within the metes and bounds of the claims, or equivalence of such metes and bounds thereof are therefore intended to be embraced by the claims.

Claims: Magneto-optic recording medium comprising: a first magnetic layer (12) having perpendicular magnetic anisotropy, superposed on a substrate (11), a second magnetic layer (13) superposed on said first magnetic layer (12) and coupled thereto by an exchange force, a third magnetic layer (14) superposed on said second magnetic layer (13) and coupled thereto by an exchange force, a fourth magnetic layer (15) superposed on said third magnetic layer (14) and coupled thereto by an exchange force, each of said first through fourth magnetic layers (12-15) including a transition metal, said first through fourth magnetic layers (12-15) satisfying the conditions T c1 <T c2 , T c3 <T c2 , T c1 <T c4 , T c3 <T c4 , T ci representing the Curie point of the i-th magnetic layer, wherein at room temperature the directions of sublattice magnetization of the transition metal of said third and fourth magnetic layers (14,15) are coincident with each other in an initializing magnetic field H ini , the magnetic field H₁, the magnetic field H₂ and the magnetic field H ini suffice the following equation H 2 < H ini < H 1 , wherein H₁ represents a magnetic field necessary for changing the direction of sublattice magnetization of the transition metal of said first magnetic layer from the state where it is coincident with that of said second magnetic layer to the state where it is reverse to that of said second magnetic layer when the direction of sublattice magnetization of the transition metal of said second magnetic layer is reverse to that of said third and fourth magnetic layers, and H₂ represents a magnetic field necessary for changing the direction of sublattice magnetization of the transition metal of said second magnetic layer from the state where it is coincident with that of said first magnetic layer to the state where it is reverse to that of said first magnetic layer when the direction of sublattice magnetization of the transition metal of said first magnetic layer is reverse to that of said third and fourth magnetic layer, the fourth magnetic layer (15) is provided in a manner that its magnetization is not invertable during recording and reproducing, and the first and second magnetic layers (12,13) are provided in a manner that the magnetization of said first magnetic layer (12) is not invertable by the invertion of the magnetization of said second magnetic layer (13). Magneto-optic recording medium according to claim 1, characterized in that the direction of the initializing magnetic field H ini is coincident to said directions of sublattice magnetization of the transition metal of said third and fourth magnetic layers (14,15) thus reducing the force of the magnetic field H₂ necessary for changing the direction of sublattice magnetization of the transition metal of said second magnetic layer (13) by the exchange force exerted on second magnetic layer (13) by said third and fourth magnetic layer (14,15). A magneto-optic recording medium according to claim 1, characterized in that H c2 - (σ w23 - σ w12 )/(2M s2 t 2 ) < H ini at room temperature , wherein H c2 represents the coercive force of the second magnetic layer (13), σ w23 represents the surface magnetic wall energy stored between the second layer (13) and the third layer (14), σ w12 represents the surface magnetic wall energy stored between the first layer (12) and the second layer (13), M s2 represents the saturation magnetization of the second magnetic layer (13), t₂ represents the film thickness of the second magnetic layer (13) A magneto-optic recording medium according to one of claims 1-3 characterized in that any of said first through fourth magnetic layers (12,13,14,15) is composed of an alloy of rare-earth and transition metals. A magneto-optic recording medium according to claims 1-4 characterized in that the sublattice magnetization of the rare-earth metal of said second and fourth magnetic layers (13,15) is intenser than that of the transition metal thereof, the sublattice magnetization of the transition metal of said third magnetic layer (14) is intenser than that of the rare earth metal thereof and the sublattice magnetization of the transition metal of said first magnetic layer (12) is the same in intensity as that of the rare-earth metal thereof. A magneto-optic recording medium according to one of claims 1-5 characterized in that said first through fourth magnetic layers (12,13,14,15) are composed of Tb₂₃(Fe₉₀Co₁₀)₇₇, (Gd₅₀Dy₅₀)₂₅(Fe₇₀Co₃₀)₇₅, Tb₁₈Fe₈₂ and Tb₂₅Co₇₅, respectively. A magneto-optic recording medium according to one of claims 1-6 characterized in that the substrate (11) is made of glass or plastic. An optical recording/reproducing apparatus characterized in that it comprises: a magneto-optic recording medium according to one of claims 1-7, an objective lens (5) for condensing laser beams on said magneto-optic recording medium, an initializing magnet (9) for applying an initializing magnetic field H ini to said magneto-optic recording medium and a bias magnet (8) for applying a bias magnetic field H b to said magneto-optic recording medium for writing. An optical recording/reproducing apparatus according to claim 8, characterized in that the initializing magnetic field H ini is not larger than 500 Oe.

Inventors: FUKAMI TATSUYA C O ZAIRYO KENK, NAKAKI YOSHIYUKI C O SANGYO SH, TAGUCHI MOTOHISA C O ZAIRYO KE, TOKUNAGA TAKASHI C O SANGYO SH, TSUTSUMI KAZUHIKO C O ZAIRYO K, FUKAMI, TATSUYA, C/O ZAIRYO KENKYUSHO, NAKAKI, YOSHIYUKI, C/O SANGYO SHISUTEMU KENKYUSHO, TAGUCHI, MOTOHISA, C/O ZAIRYO KENKYUSHO, TOKUNAGA, TAKASHI, C/O SANGYO SHISUTEMU KENKYUSHO, TSUTSUMI, KAZUHIKO, C/O ZAIRYO KENKYUSHO
Applicants: MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CORP, MITSUBISHI DENKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
Application year: 1990
Main classification: G11B11
IPC codes: G11B11