Critical assessment of the physics underlying direct overwrite in magneto-optic recording (invited)

Abstract

The basic requirements for achieving direct overwrite in magneto-optic recording are discussed from the basic physics of localized magnetization reversal during thermomagnetic recording. The operating principles and the key issues are reviewed and critically assessed for several major direct overwrite approaches including beam modulation using single-layer media, beam modulation using exchange-coupled multilayers, and magnetic field modulation.