Handbook of Magneto-Optical Data Recording: Materials, Subsystems, Techniques

Optical data storage devices utilizing magnetic media and magneto-optic (MO) readout became commercially available in the last half of the 1980’s. This technology has now progressed through three generations of international standard format products, and is today firmly positioned as a robust, highly reliable and extendible method for reqritable (erasable), high density optical storage of not only computer data, but also entertainment (audio, video) formats and other information. This handbook brings together in a single volume expert contributions on the many aspects of MO data recording, including the materials in use, techniques for achieving recording function, and storage device subsystems. As a multiple author treatment, it brings perspective from many viewpoints and institutions. The insights delivered should be valuable to a wide audience from students to practitioners in all areas of information storage. This should be a primary and seminal reference on the subject of magneto-optical storage of digital data. A fundamental strength is the wide range of topics addressed and the diversity of expertise represented. These characteristics distinguish this comprehens treatment from single-author texts. Twenty-one authors and two editors have combined their individual knowledge bases into one work. Contents Include: Introduction and Overview Heads and Lasers Servos and Actuators Media Substrates and Format Magneto-Optical Thin Film Recording Materials in Practice Materials Characterization Writing and Erasing in Magneto-Optical Recording The Magneto-Optical Readout Process Sources of Noise in Magneto-Optical Readout Modeling the Magneto-Optical Recording Processes Testing Drive Packaging Data Reliability and Errors Outlook for Magneto-Optical Recording.