Magneto-optical recording and reproducing apparatus and method

[0002] 1. Field of the Invention

[0003] The present invention relates to a magneto-optic recording medium reproduction device, and more specifically to that employs near-field light and domain expansion.

[0004] 2. Description of the Background Art

[0005] Magneto-optic recording medium has been noted as a highly reliable recording medium with rewritability and high storage capacity and has been put to practical use as the memory for computer and the like. However, further high density recording and reproducing technique has been sought for as the amount of information is further increased and the device is further miniaturized.

[0006] High density recording and reproducing technique is constituted by medium technique and device technique. The former technique includes a narrowed pitch of medium, an improved resolution for reproduction by means of magnetic multilayered film, and the like. The technique by means of magnetic multilayered film employs the fact that the intensity of laser spot forms Gaussian distribution to selectively transfer the magnetized state of a recording layer to a reproducing layer and read the magnetized state of the reproducing layer, and at present mainly has the three types of FAD (Front Aperture Detection), RAD (Rear Aperture Detection) and CAD (Center Aperture Detection). According to these techniques, the front or rear side or the vicinity of the center of a laser spot serves as a reproduction aperture to reduce the substantial diameter of a laser spot and thus increase reproduction density. The latter technique includes optical super-resolution technique for obtaining a condensation spot which exceeds the diffraction limit of laser beam, reduction in wavelength of laser beam and the like. Furthermore, near-field light recording and reproducing technique is provided for positioning one end surface of an optical fiber adjacent to a magneto-optic recording medium and irradiating the magneto-optic recording medium with laser beam from the optical fiber to record and reproduce signals. This technique allows formation of a recording domain of approximately 0.06 μm.

[0007] For reproduction by near-field light recording and producing technique, however, the reproduced signals which are detected are small due to the small domain, sufficient C/N ratio cannot be obtained, and reproduced signals are disadvantageously lost.

[0008] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a magneto-optic recording medium reproduction device capable of accurately reproducing a signal recorded in a small domain, and a method of reproducing the same.

[0009] Another object of the present invention is to provide a magneto-optic recording medium suitable for the reproduction device and reproduction method mentioned above.

[0010] According to one aspect of the present invention, a magneto-optic recording medium reproduction device for reproducing a signal from a magneto-optic recording medium with a recording layer and a reproducing layer includes a laser device, an optical device, a detector and a magnetic field application device. The laser device oscillates laser beam. The optical device has an end surface adjacent to the magneto-optic recording medium, and irradiates the magneto-optic recording medium with the laser beam from the laser device via the end surface and receives the laser beam reflected from the magneto-optic recording medium via the end surface. The detector detects the laser beam received by the optical device. The magnetic field application device applies an alternating magnetic field to the magneto-optic recording medium to expand and shrink a domain created in the reproducing layer.

[0011] Preferably, the optical device includes an optical fiber which has a core, a first clad and a second clad. The core has a first refractive index. The first clad is formed around the core and has a second refractive index smaller than the first refractive index. The second clad is formed around the first clad and has a third refractive index smaller than the second refractive index.

[0012] Preferably, the optical device includes a first optical fiber and a second optical fiber. The first optical fiber has a first core and a first clad. The first core has a first diameter and a first refractive index. The first clad is formed around the first core and has a second refractive index smaller than the first refractive index. The second optical fiber has a second core and a second clad. The second core has a second diameter larger than the first diameter, and a third refractive index. The second clad is formed around the second core and has a fourth refractive index smaller than the third refractive index.

[0013] Preferably, the optical device a solid immersion lens, an objective lens and an optical system. The solid immersion lens has an end surface and a curved surface opposite to the end surface. The objective lens is arranged on the curved surface side of the solid immersion lens and is coaxial with the solid immersion lens. The optical system forms a first laser beam with a first diameter and a second laser beam with a second diameter larger than the first diameter coaxially incident on the objective lens.

[0014] Preferably the reproduction device further includes a diffraction grating element for transmitting the laser beam from the laser device straight and diffracting the laser beam received by the optical device towards the detector. The diffraction grating element further preferably includes a hologram.

[0015] According to another aspect of the present invention, a magneto-optic recording medium reproduction method for reproducing a signal from a magneto-optic recording medium having a recording layer and a reproducing layer magnetized in a predetermined direction includes the steps of: irradiating a magneto-optic recording medium with laser beam having a mixed intensity distribution of first and second intensity distributions each having a different beam diameter; applying an alternating magnetic field to the magneto-optic recording medium to expand and shrink a domain created in a reproducing layer when the magneto-optic recording medium is irradiated with the laser beam; and detecting a laser beam reflected from the magneto-optic recording medium.

[0016] Preferably, the step of detecting includes detecting the laser beam when a reproduced signal based on the intensity of the laser beam reflected from the magneto-optic recording medium is the greatest reproduced signal.

[0017] Still preferably, the step of detecting includes detecting the laser beam at the timing of applying a magnetic field in the direction opposite to the predetermined direction in which the reproducing layer is magnetized.

[0018] According to still another aspect of the present invention, a magneto-optic recording medium includes a substrate, a recording layer and a reproducing layer. The recording layer is positioned on the substrate and formed of a magnetic material. The reproducing layer is positioned on the recording layer and formed of a magnetic material.

[0019] The magneto-optic recording medium still preferably includes an intermediate layer positioned between the recording layer and the reproducing layer and formed of a non-magnetic material.

[0020] Preferably, minimum size of stable domain of the reproducing layer is larger than that of the recording layer.

[0021] The magneto-optic recording medium reproduction device is miniaturized since it uses an optical device having an end surface adjacent to the magneto-optic recording medium, rather than an objective lens, to irradiate the magneto-optic recording medium with laser beam. Furthermore, the reproduction device transfers a domain of the recording layer to the reproducing layer and expands the transferred domain size to reproduce a signal so that the intensity of the reproduced signal is improved and consequently a sufficient high C/N ratio can be obtained.

[0022] Furthermore, a so-called multi-clad, step index optical fiber is used as the optical device in the reproduction device to irradiate the magneto-optic recording medium with laser beam. Thus, the intensity of the beam spot is significantly increased only at the center, only a desired domain within the recording layer is transferred to the reproducing layer, and consequently a precise reproduced signal can be obtained.

[0023] Alternatively, a so-called single-clad, step index optical fiber, and a single-clad step index optical fiber having a larger core than that of the other optical fiber are used as the optical device in the reproduction device to irradiate the magneto-optic recording medium with laser beam. Thus, only the intensity of the beam spot is significantly increased only at the center and consequently a precise reproduced signal can be obtained as well.

[0024] Alternatively, a solid immersion lens is used as the optical device in the reproduction device to allow two laser beams different in diameter incident coaxially on the objective lens. Thus, only the intensity of the beam spot is significantly increased only at the center and consequently a precise reproduced signal can be obtained as well.

[0025] Furthermore, the reproduction device employs a hologram to transmit laser beam from the laser device straight and diffract the laser beam reflected from the magneto-optic recording medium. Thus, the laser device and the detector can be arranged in a same plane and this can reduce the size of the optical system formed of the laser device and the detector.

[0026] According to the magneto-optic recording medium reproduction method, a laser beam reflected from an expanded domain is detected at the timing of applying a magnetic field in the direction opposite to that in which the reproducing layer is initially magnetized, and a sufficiently large reproduced signal can thus be obtained.

[0027] Furthermore, since the recording layer and the reproducing layer are positioned successively from the substrate side of the magneto-optic recording medium, laser beam can be radiated from the side opposite to the substrate. This allows an end surface of the optical fiber or the like to be arranged more adjacent to the recording layer and thus a signal to be reproduced from a smaller recording domain.

[0028] The foregoing and other objects, features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description of the present invention when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

[0029] FIG. 1 shows a cross section showing one example of a magneto-optic recording medium suitable for a reproduction device according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

[0030] FIG. 2 shows a cross section showing another example of the magneto-optic recording medium.

[0031] FIG. 3 shows a configuration of the magneto-optic recording medium reproduction device according to the first embodiment together with its reproduction principle.

[0032] FIG. 4A represents the refractive index of the optical fiber shown in FIG. 3,

[0033] FIG. 4B shows a cross section showing a configuration of the optical fiber, and

[0034] FIG. 4C represents intensity distributions of laser beams emanating from the optical fiber.

[0035] FIGS. 5A and 5B are front and bottom views showing a configuration of the receiving/emitting unit shown in FIG. 3, respectively.

[0036] FIG. 6 shows a view for illustrating the reproduction operation of the reproduction device shown in FIG. 3.

[0037] FIG. 7 shows a view for illustrating the transfer and expansion of a domain of the magneto-optic recording medium shown in FIG. 1.

[0038] FIGS. 8A-8D show views of the steps for illustrating the reproduction principle of the magneto-optic recording medium shown in FIG. 2.

[0039] FIG. 9 shows still another example of the magneto-optic recording medium together with its reproduction principle.

[0040] FIGS. 10A and 10B show waveform diagrams representing a magnetic field applied and reproduced signals obtained in the reproduction device shown in FIG. 3.

[0041] FIGS. 11A and 11B show a configuration of a magneto-optic recording medium according to a second embodiment of the present invention together with its reproduction principle.

[0042] FIG. 12 shows a configuration of a magneto-optic recording medium reproduction device according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

[0043] FIG. 13 shows an optical path passing through the solid immersion lens and objective lens shown in FIG. 12.

[0044] FIG. 14A shows more specifically an optical path of laser beam transmitted through the solid immersion lens shown in FIG. 13, and

[0045] FIG. 14B represents the intensity distribution of the laser beam in plane A-A′ in FIG. 14A.

[0046] FIG. 15 shows a configuration of a magneto-optic recording medium reproduction device according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

[0047] Embodiments of the present invention will now be specifically described with reference to the drawings. Identical or corresponding portions in the figures are labeled by identical reference characters and a description thereof is not repeated.

[0048] First Embodiment

[0049] A configuration of a magneto-optic recording medium will first be described suitable for a magneto-optic recording medium reproduction device according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

[0050] Referring to FIG. 1, a magneto-optic recording medium 10 includes a transparent substrate 1, a recording layer 2 formed on transparent substrate 1, a reproducing layer 4 formed on recording layer 2, and a protection layer 5 formed on reproducing layer 4. Transparent substrate 1 is formed of glass, polycarbonate or the like. Recording layer 2 is formed of a magnetic material, such as TbFeCo. Reproducing layer 4 is formed of a magnetic material, such as GdFeCo. Protection layer 5 is formed of a transparent dielectric material, such as SiN.

[0051] Recording layer 2, reproducing layer 4 and protection layer 5 are successively deposited by magnetron sputtering. Recording layer 2 has a film thickness of 500 to 3000 Å, reproducing layer 4 has a film thickness of 50 to 1000 Å, and protection layer 5 has a film thickness of 180 to 220 Å.

[0052] Magneto-optic recording medium 10 has recording layer 2 closer to transparent substrate 1 and reproducing layer 4 closer to protection layer 5. Accordingly, radiation of laser beam for recording and reproduction is provided from the protection layer 5 side, rather than the transparent substrate 1 side.

[0053] It should be noted that recording layer 2 is not limited to the TbFeCo mentioned above, and may be a single- or multi-layered magnetic film formed of an element selected among Tb, Dy and Nd and Fe, Co and Ni, or a single- or multi-layered magnetic film formed of one element of Pt and Pd and one element selected among Fe, Co and Ni.

[0054] Reproducing layer 4 is not limited to the GdFeCo mentioned above, and may be a magnetic film formed of one element selected among GdFe, GdCo and TbCo or among Ho, Gd, Tb and Dy and one element selected among Fe, Co and Ni.

[0055] Furthermore, as shown in a magneto-optic recording medium shown in FIG. 2, an intermediate layer 3 may be inserted between recording layer 2 and reproducing layer 4. Intermediate layer 3 is formed of a non-magnetic material (i.e. a dielectric material), such as SiN, AlN, TiN, SiO₂, Al₂O₃, SiC, TiC, ZnO, SiAlON, ITO (idium tin oxide) and SnO₂, and has a film thickness of 30 to 300 Å. By inserting intermediate layer 3, a domain with a stable shape can be formed in reproducing layer 4 in enlarging and reproducing the domain, as described later.

[0056] Desirably, minimum size of stable domain of reproducing layer 4 is larger than that of recording layer 2, since the process is not required for enlarging a domain transferred from recording layer 2 to reproducing layer 4 and accordingly the necessity of applying an alternating magnetic field to magneto-optic recording medium 10 or 11, as described later, can be dispensed with. Magnetic materials with a large the minimum size of stable domain is applicable to reproducing layer 4 of either of magneto-optic recording medium 10 or 11.

[0057] A configuration of the magneto-optic recording medium reproduction device according to the first embodiment of the present invention will now be described for reproducing a signal from magneto-optic recording medium 10 or 11.

[0058] Referring to FIG. 3, the reproduction device includes a receiving/emitting unit 6, an optical fiber 7 and a magnetic head 9.

[0059] Optical fiber 7 has an end surface 77 arranged adjacent to magneto-optic recording medium 10. The distance between end surface 77 and a surface of magneto-optic recording medium 10 is, for example, 0.2 μm (with a tolerance of ±0.1 μm).

[0060] Emitting/receiving unit 6 arranged on the surface 78 side of optical fiber 7 and includes a semiconductor laser 6a, a photodetector 6band a hologram plate 6c. Semiconductor laser 6aprovides oscillation of laser beam with a wavelength of 635 nm (with a tolerance of ±15 nm) or a wavelength of 680 nm (with a tolerance of ±15 nm), which is provided to end surface 78 of optical fiber 7. Photodetector 6bis arranged next to semiconductor laser 6aand receives laser beam from end surface 78 of optical fiber 7. Hologram plate 6cincludes a glass substrate and a hologram formed on the glass substrate, and splits incident laser beam into the 0th-order, ±first-order, . . . ±nth-order diffracted beams. Accordingly, 0th-order diffracted beam (i.e., a beam transmitted straight through hologram plate 6cwithout diffraction) of laser beam radiated from semiconductor laser 6aand transmitted through hologram plate 6centers end surface 78 of optical fiber 7. Meanwhile, +first-order or −first-order diffracted beam of laser beam radiated from end surface 78 of optical fiber 7 and transmitted through hologram plate 6centers photodetector 6b.

[0061] Optical fiber 7 receives laser beam from semiconductor laser 6avia end surface 78, guides the laser beam in the UM direction in the figure, and irradiates magneto-optic recording medium 10 with the laser beam via end surface 77. Optical fiber 7 also receives laser beam reflected from magneto-optic recording medium 10 via end surface 77, guides the laser beam in the MU direction in the figure, and irradiates hologram plate 6bwith the laser beam via end surface 78. Formed in optical fiber 7 is a polarizing filter 8 which transmits only laser beam deflecting in a specific direction. In this example, polarizing filter 8 is formed to transmit only laser beam which deflects in the direction perpendicular to the plane of the drawing. Semiconductor laser 6ais arranged so that laser beam radiated therefrom is polarized in the direction perpendicular to the plane of the drawing. Thus, laser beam radiated from semiconductor laser 6awill not be blocked by polarizing filter 8.

[0062] Magnetic head 9 includes an electromagnetic coil 9aand an magnetic head driving circuit 9bfor supplying alternating current to electromagnetic coil 9a. Thus, electromagnetic head 9 applies an alternating field AF to magneto-optic recording medium 10, expands a domain transferred into reproducing layer 4 depending on a recording domain 21 in recording layer 2, and thus forms and shrinks a domain 41 which is larger than recording domain 21. The magnitude of alternating field AF ranges from 50 to 300 Oe. The pulse width of alternating field AF ranges from 20 to 500 nsec.

[0063] Optical fiber 7 is a multi-clad, step index optical fiber as shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B, and includes a core 7cwith a refractive index n1 (e.g., 1.50 to 1.70), an inner circumferential clad 7bformed around core 7cand having a refractive index n2 (e.g., 1.45 to 1.65), and an outer circumferential clad 7aformed around inner circumferential clad 7band having a refractive index n3 (e.g., 1.40 to 1.60). Refractive index n3 is smaller than refractive index n2, and refractive index n2 is smaller than refractive index n1. Suitable materials for core 7c, inner circumferential clad 7band outer circumferential clad 7aare multi-component glass, plastic and the like of SiO₂which contains Na₂O, CaO and Geo each having a different component ratio from each other.

[0064] Furthermore, a tip of optical fiber 7 is desirably tapered 79 such that the diameter of the tip of optical fiber 7 is smaller than that of the body of optical fiber 7. In this example, a tip of inner circumferential clad 7bhas a diameter of 0.1 μm (with a tolerance of ±0.05 μm) and the body has a diameter of 300 μm (with a tolerance of ±100 μm).

[0065] For optical fiber 7 as described above, laser beam proceeds through core 7cas well as inner circumferential clad 7b. Laser beam which has proceeded through core 7cforms on magneto-optic recording medium 10 a beam spot which has a sharp intensity distribution 13 with a narrow beam diameter W1, as shown in FIG. 4C. Meanwhile, a laser beam which has proceeded through inner circumferential clad 7bforms on magneto-optic recording medium 10 a beam spot which has a gentle intensity distribution 14 with a wide beam diameter W2, as shown in FIG. 4C. Thus, the mixed intensity distribution of these intensity distributions is extremely high only at the intensity of the center of the beam spot.

[0066] In emitting/receiving unit 6, semiconductor laser 6aand photodetector 6bare arranged in a same plane, as shown in FIG. 5A. Mounted on the light receiving surface of photodetector 6bis a polarizing filter 6dwhich transmits one of p polarization component and s polarization component of a +first-order or −first-order diffracted beam L₂₁₁. Emitting/receiving unit 6 has three cuts k1-k3 each formed for every 90°. Semiconductor laser 6ais arranged such that semiconductor laser 6ahas an emitting point 61 positioned on line k2-k3.

[0067] The following equations (1) and (2) are established:

[0068] sin θ=λ/p  (1)

[0069] Z₁=L tan θ  (2)

[0070] wherein L represents the distance between semiconductor laser 6aand hologram plate 6c, p represents the pitch of a fine corrugated structure (indicated by vertical stripe in the figure) which forms a hologram of hologram plate 6c, θ represents ±first-order diffraction angle caused by hologram plate 6c, λ represents the wavelength of laser beam, and Z₁represents the distance between semiconductor laser 6aand photodetector 6b.

[0071] Furthermore, the following equation (3) is established from equations (1) and (2):

[0072] Z₁=Lλ/(p²−λ²)^½  (3).

[0073] Thus, as wavelength λ of laser beam is increased, ±first-order diffraction angle θ caused by hologram plate 6cis also increased. Consequently, distance Z₁between semiconductor laser 6aand photodetector 6bis also increased. Distance Z₁is also changed depending on distance L between semiconductor laser 6aand hologram plate 6c. Accordingly, with pitch p of hologram plate 6cand distance L between semiconductor laser 6aand hologram plate 6cas parameters, Table 1 shows calculated distances Z₁between semiconductor laser 6aand photodetector 6b. When pitch p ranges from 1.5 to 35 μm and distance L ranges from 3 to 25 mm for a laser beam wavelength of 635 nm, distance Z₁ranges from 0.45 to 2.2 mm. Accordingly, distance Z₁is here set ranging from 0.45 to 2.2 mm and distance L ranging from 3 to 25 mm.

[0074] Table 1 also shows a distance Z₂between semiconductor laser 6aand photodetector 6bwith use of semiconductor laser 6awhich provides oscillation of laser beam with a wavelength of 680 nm. When pitch p of hologram plate 6cranges from 1.5 to 35 μm and distance L between semiconductor laser 6aand hologram plate 6cranges from 3 to 25 mm, distance Z₂ranges from 0.48 to 2.3 mm. Accordingly, distance Z₂in this example is set ranging from 0.48 to 2.3 mm and distance L ranging from 3 to 25 mm.

[0075] Although hologram plate 6cis arranged in emitting/receiving unit 6 such that hologram plate 6cis integrated with semiconductor laser 6aand photodetector 6b, hologram plate 6cmay be arranged separately from emitting/receiving unit 6. Although emitting/receiving unit 6 is provided with hologram plate 6c, as shown in FIG. 5A, a half mirror may be provided between end surface 78 of the optical fiber and semiconductor laser 6ato reflect laser beam L₂₁reflected from magneto-optic recording medium 10 such that laser beam L₂₁is perpendicular to photodetector 6b.

[0076] An operation of the magneto-optic recording medium reproduction device configured as above will now be described.

[0077] As shown in FIG. 6, a laser beam with a wavelength of 635 nm that is radiated from emitting/receiving unit 6 at semiconductor laser 6aand is deflected in the direction perpendicular to the plane of the drawing diffuses and thus enters hologram plate 6c. The laser beam incident on hologram plate 6cis diffracted at hologram plate 6cand split into 0th-order, ±first-order, . . . ±nth-order diffracted beams. 0th-order diffracted beam is transmitted straight through hologram plate 6cwithout diffracting at hologram plate 6c, and enters end surface 78 of optical fiber 7. Since the laser beam radiated from semiconductor laser 6ais deflected in the direction perpendicular to the plane of the drawing, it is transmitted through polarizing filter 8 in optical fiber 7. Thus, a laser beam L₁incident on core 7cproceeds through core 7cand is radiated from end surface 77 toward magnetic recording medium 10. Meanwhile, a laser beam L₂incident on inner circumferential clad 7bproceeds through inner circumferential clad 7band is radiated from end surface 77 towards magneto-optic recording medium 10.

[0078] Laser beam L₁, which has proceeded through core 7c, forms a beam spot with a sharp intensity distribution, as shown in FIG. 4C, and the diameter of the spot is 600 Å (with a tolerance of ±200 Å), which is almost the same size as recording domain 21 in recording layer 2. Thus, laser beam L₁radiated onto magneto-optic recording medium 10 raises the temperature of only the area of recording domain 21 to a predetermined temperature or more.

[0079] When the temperature of recording domain 21 exceeds the predetermined temperature, recording domain 21 in recording layer 2 is transferred to reproducing layer 4 and a domain 40 which is approximately same in size as recording domain 21 is formed in reproducing layer 4, as shown in FIG. 7. A direction 40ain which domain 40 is magnetized is the same as a direction 21ain which recording domain 21 is magnetized.

[0080] When the direction of alternating field AF applied from magnetic head 9 is then the same as direction 40ain which the transferred domain 40 is magnetized, domain 40 is expanded in the plane of magneto-optic recording medium 10 to form a domain 41, which is larger than recording domain 21.

[0081] A laser beam L₁₁of laser beam L₁proceeding through core 7cthat is reflected by the expanded domain 41 is diffused outward and will not return to end surface 77 of optical fiber 7. Meanwhile, a laser beam L₂₁of laser beam L₂proceeding through inner circumferential clad 7bthat is reflected by the expanded domain 41 is not diffused outwards and will return to end surface 77 of optical fiber 7. Thus, laser beam L₂₁incident on end surface 77 proceeds through core 7cand inner circumferential clad 7bin the opposite direction. Since the plane of polarization of laser beam L₂₁reflected at the expanded domain 41 is slightly rotated due to Kerr effect, polarizing filter 8 transmits only a polarization component of laser beam L₂₁proceeding through core 7cand inner circumferential clad 7bin the opposite direction that is the same in polarization direction as polarizing filter 8.

[0082] Laser beam L₂₁transmitted through polarizing filter 8 is radiated from end surface 78 of optical fiber 7 towards hologram plate 6cto allow a +first-order or −first-order diffracted beam L₂₁₁of laser beam L₂₁incident on photodetector 6bvia polarizing filter 6d. Photodetector 6bproduces a reproduced signal according the incident, diffracted beam L₂₁₁. Since Kerr rotation angle is changed depending on the direction in which reproducing layer 4 is magnetized, the reproduced signal changes depending on the magnetization direction in reproducing layer 4.

[0083] Expanded domain 41 is shrunk when the direction of alternating field AF is opposite to magnetized direction 40aafter detection of the reproduced signal. Repetition of the operation as described above allows signals to be successively reproduced from recording domains of recording layer 2.

[0084] In order to obtain a reproduced signal with high C/N ratio, a signal should be reproduced from a domain in reproducing layer 2 when the domain is expanded.

[0085] As shown in FIG. 7, reproducing layer 4 is magnetized in one predetermined direction (in this example, the downward direction in the figure) before domain 21 is transferred from recording layer 2. When magnetization direction 21afor recording domain 21 in recording layer 2 is transferred to domain 40 in reproducing layer 4 by exchanging coupling and the direction of alternating field AF is the same as magnetization direction 40a, domain 40 is expanded to domain 41. Thus, in order to obtain the maximum reproduced signal, photodetector 6bneed only detector laser beam L₂₁reflected from magneto-optic recording medium 10 when alternating field AF is applied in the direction opposite to the initial magnetization direction for reproducing layer 4 (i.e., in the upward direction in the figure).

[0086] In reproducing a signal from recording domain 22 with magnetization direction 21aand an opposite magnetization direction 22afor recording domain 21, a recording layer has already been substantially transferred and expanded, since the initial magnetization direction for reproducing layer 4 is the same as magnetization direction 22afor domain 22 to be reproduced. Accordingly, the transfer, expansion and erasure of magnetization are observed only with respect to a recording domain which is magnetized in a direction opposite to the initial magnetization direction for reproducing layer 4. Consequently, photodetector 6bneed only detect laser beam L₂₁reflected from magneto-optic recording medium 10 when alternating field AF is applied in a direction opposite to the initial magnetization direction for reproducing layer 4.

[0087] Note that for an initial magnetization direction for reproducing layer 4 opposite to that shown in FIG. 7, transfer of magnetization and expansion of a domain are observed when a signal is reproduced from recording domain 22. Accordingly, to obtain the maximum reproduced signal, photodetector 6bneed only detect laser beam L₂₁reflected from magneto-optic recording medium 10 while alternating field AF is applied in the same direction as magnetization direction 22afor recording domain 22.

[0088] The description hereinabove has been provided with respect to reproducing a signal from magneto-optic recording medium 10 shown in FIG. 1. The description hereinafter is provided with respect to reproducing a signal from magneto-optic recording medium 11 shown in FIG. 2.

[0089] As shown in FIG. 8A, reproducing layer 4 is magnetized in one predetermined direction (i.e., the upward and downward directions in the figure).

[0090] As shown in FIG. 8B, when laser beam L₁with a sharp temperature distribution then illuminates magneto-optic recording medium 11, magnetization direction 21ain recording domain 21 as the illuminated position is transferred to reproducing layer 4 to form domain 40 with a magnetization direction opposite to an initial magnetization direction. The transfer is provided due to magnetostatic coupling rather than exchange coupling, since non-magnetic intermediate layer 3 is formed between recording layer 2 and reproducing layer 4.

[0091] As shown in FIG. 8C, when the direction of alternating field AF is then same as magnetization direction 40ain domain 40, domain 40 is expanded as shown in FIG. 8C to form domain 41, which is larger than recording domain 21. Laser beam L₂₁reflected from the expanded domain 41 is detected by photodetector 6bto generate a reproduced signal.

[0092] It should be noted that since intermediate layer 3 is formed between recording layer 2 and reproducing layer 4, the magnetic wall of domain 41 is not fixed by recording domain 22, which is adjacent to recording domain 21 and has the opposite magnetization direction 22a. Thus, a domain can be expanded more stably than in magneto-optic recording medium 10 without intermediate layer 3.

[0093] Then, as shown in FIG. 8D, the expanded domain 41 is shrunk when the direction of alternating field AF is the same as the initial magnetization direction for reproducing layer 4.

[0094] With recording layer 2 and reproducing layer 4 of magneto-optic recording media 10 and 11 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 formed successively from the substrate 1 side, laser beam is radiated from the opposite, protection layer 5 side, since radiating a laser beam from the thin protection layer 5 side allows end surface 77 of optical fiber 7 to be arranged closer to recording and reproducing layers 2 and 4 of magneto-optic recording medium 10 and 11 than radiating a laser beam from the thick substrate 1 side.

[0095] As shown in FIG. 9, however, a magneto-optic recording medium 12 with reproducing layer 4 and recording layer 2 formed successively from the substrate 1 side can also provide reproduction by the reproduction device. Magneto-optic recording medium 12 has an optical interference layer 15 of SiN or the like formed between substrate 1 and reproducing layer 4 to enhance the reproducing signal. Formed between intermediate layer 3 and recording layer 2 is a shield layer 16 of AlTi or the like for separating recording layer 2 more completely from reproducing layer 4.

[0096] According to the first embodiment, optical fiber 7 has end surface 77 arranged adjacent to magneto-optic recording medium 10 which is then irradiated with laser beam via end surface 77. Thus, a signal can be accurately reproduced even from small recording domain 21 of e.g., 600 Å.

[0097] Furthermore, since alternating field AF is applied to recording medium 10, domain 40 transferred from recording layer 2 to reproducing layer 4 is expanded and a signal is reproduced from the expanded domain 41. Consequently, a large reproduced signal can be obtained. When an alternating field is not applied (H=0), an obtained reproduced signal is extremely small, as shown in FIG. 10A. By contrast, when an alternating field is applied, a large reproduced signal can be obtained, as shown in FIG. 10B.

[0098] Furthermore, since optical fiber 7 is a multi-clad, step index optical fiber, the intensity distribution of laser beam L₁proceeding through core 7chas a sharp shape and thus only an extremely small recording domain 21 can be transferred to reproducing layer 4. Consequently, precise reproduced signal can be obtained.

[0099] Since hologram plate 6cis provided for diffracting a laser beam reflected from a magneto-optic recording medium, semiconductor laser 6aand photodetector 6bcan be arranged in a same plane. Furthermore, the use of emitting/receiving unit 6 into which semiconductor laser 6a, photodetector 6band hologram plate 6care integrated together allows reduction of the size of the entire reproduction device.

[0100] Second Embodiment

[0101] The single optical fiber 7 described above may be replaced with two optical fibers 61 and 62, as shown in FIGS. 11A and 11B. Optical fiber 61 irradiates magneto-optic recording medium 10 with laser beam for the transfer and expansion of a domain. Optical fiber 62 irradiates magneto-optic recording medium 10 with laser beam and also receives laser beam reflected from magneto-optic recording medium 10.

[0102] Optical fiber 61 for radiation has a core 61cwith a refractive index ranging from 1.50 to 1.70, and a clad 61awhich is formed around core 61cand has a refractive index ranging from 1.40 to 1.60. The refractive index of clad 61ais smaller than that of core 61c. Thus, optical fiber 61 is a single-clad, step index optical fiber.

[0103] Optical fiber 62 for reception has a core 62bwith a refractive index ranging from 1.50 to 1.70, and a clad 62awhich is formed around core 62band has a refractive index ranging from 1.40 to 1.60. The refractive index of clad 62ais smaller than that of core 62b. Thus, optical fiber 62 is also a single-clad, step index optical fiber.

[0104] The diameter of core 62bof the receiving optical fiber 62 is larger than that of core 61cof the radiating optical fiber 61. Thus, optical fiber 61 radiates laser. beam L₁which has a sharp intensity distribution 13 with a small, beam diameter W1, as shown in FIG. 4C. Optical fiber 62 radiates laser beam L₂which has a broad intensity distribution with a large, beam diameter W2 shown in FIG. 4C.

[0105] A reproduction process of the reproduction device will now be described which employs the two optical fibers 61 and 62 as described above.

[0106] As shown in FIG. 11A, when laser beam L₁proceeds through core 61cof optical fiber 61 and is then radiated to magneto-optic recording medium 10 via an end surface 661, the temperature of only recording domain 21 in recording layer 2 is raised to at least a predetermined temperature and recording domain 21 is transferred to reproducing layer 4 by exchange coupling to create domain 40 which is expanded to domain 41 by alternating field AF.

[0107] As shown in FIG. 11B, while domain 40 is expanded to domain 41, magneto-optic recording medium 10 is rotated and domain 40 (41) is thus moved under optical fiber 62. Thus, the expanded domain 41 is irradiated with laser beam which proceeds through core 62bof optical fiber 62 and is radiated via an end surface 662. Reflected laser beam L₂₂of laser beam L₂radiated to the expanded domain 41 returns to end surface 662 of optical fiber 62 and is detected by photodetector 6b, as in the first embodiment. The expanded domain 41 is shrunk by alternating field AF, as described above.

[0108] Third Embodiment

[0109] A magneto-optic recording medium reproduction device according to a third embodiment of the present invention includes a solid immersion lens 80, an objective lens 81, a semiconductor laser 82, a collimator lens 83, a semiconductor laser 84, a collimator lens 85, a half mirror 86, a photodetector 87 and a magnetic head 88.

[0110] Solid immersion lens 80 has a plane 80aadjacent to magneto-optic recording medium 10, and a spherical surface 80bopposite to plane 80a. Objective lens 81 is arranged on the curved surface 80bside of solid immersion lens 80 such that the optical axis of solid immersion lens 80 matches that of objective lens 80. Semiconductor laser 82 provides oscillation of laser beam with a wavelength of 635 nm. Collimator lens 83 forms parallel laser beam L81 based on the laser beam radiated from semiconductor laser 82. Collimator lens 85 forms parallel laser beam L82 based on the laser beam from semiconductor laser 84. The diameter D82 of laser beam L82 is larger than the diameter D81 of laser beam L81. Half mirror 86 mixes laser beams L81 and L82 to allow laser beams L81 and L82 coaxially incident on objective lens 81. Photodetector 87 receives laser beam reflected from magneto-optic recording medium 10 and transmitted through solid immersion lens 80 and objective lens 81. Magnetic head 88 applies alternating field AF to magneto-optic recording medium 10 and expands and shrinks a domain created in reproducing layer 4 of magneto-optic recording medium 10.

[0111] The reproduction device further includes a half mirror 89, a Wollaston prism 90, a condenser lens 91 and a differential amplifier 92. Half mirror 89 transmits laser beam L81 from collimator lens 83 straight and reflects laser beam reflected from magneto-optic recording medium 10 towards photodetector 87. Wollaston prism 90 splits laser beam reflected from half mirror 89 into p polarization component, s polarization component and laser beam mixed with s and p polarization components. Condenser lens 91 condenses laser beam transmitted through Wollaston prism 90 onto photodetector 87. Differential amplifier 92 generates a reproduced signal, depending on a signal generated by photodetector 87 based on the p polarization component and a signal generated by photodetector 87 based on the s polarization component. Note that photodetector 87 also generates an error signal for focusing control or tracking control based on the laser beam mixed with s and p polarization components.

[0112] A reproduction process of the reproduction device configured as described above will now be described.

[0113] Laser beam radiated from semiconductor laser 82 is rendered parallel by collimator lens 83 to form laser beam L81 with a small diameter D81. Meanwhile, laser beam radiated from semiconductor laser 84 is rendered parallel by collimator lens 85 to form laser beam L82 with a large diameter D82. Laser beam L81 is transmitted through half mirror 86 straight to allow laser beam L81 incident on objective lens 81. Meanwhile, laser beam L82 is reflected by half mirror 86 to allow laser beam L82 incident on object lens 81. Thus, the optical system formed of collimator lenses 83 and 85 and half mirror 86 forms laser beam L81 with diameter D81 and laser beam L82 with diameter D82 larger than diameter D81 and allows laser beams L81 and L82 coaxially incident on objective lens 81.

[0114] Since two laser beams L81 and L82 different in diameter enter objective lens 81, as shown in FIG. 13, two laser beams L81 and L82 each enter the spherical surface of solid immersion lens 80 at a different angle. Thus, the spot diameter of laser beam L81 formed by solid immersion lens 80 is larger than that of laser beam L82 formed by solid immersion lens 80, as shown in FIG. 14A. Accordingly, the mixed intensity distribution of laser beams L81 and L82 in plane A-A′ in FIG. 14A is as shown in FIG. 14B. This intensity distribution is similar to that shown in FIG. 4C, with the intensity of laser beam significantly larger at the center than at the outer circumference.

[0115] Consequently, laser beam from objective lens 81 is further condensed and only an extremely small recording domain of e.g., no more than 0.1 μm can be transferred to reproducing layer 4. Furthermore, since alternating field AF is applied to magneto-optic recording medium 10 by magnetic head 88, a domain created in reproducing layer 4 is expanded and the expanded domain is irradiated with laser beam L81 with a broad intensity distribution. Thus, the intensity of a reproduced signal detected by photodetector 87 is increased as well as the first and second embodiments.

[0116] Fourth Embodiment

[0117] As shown in FIG. 15, a magneto-optic recording medium reproduction device according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention includes the configuration of the third embodiment plus a beam splitter 93, a collimator lens 94 and reflecting mirrors 95 and 96. It should be noted, however, that the device is not provided with semiconductor laser 84 shown in FIG. 12 and is only provided with a single semiconductor laser 82. Collimator lens 94 replaces collimator lens 85 shown in FIG. 12. Although half mirrors 86 and 89 are opposite in arrangement to those shown in FIG. 12, half mirrors 86 and 89 in the fourth embodiment may also be arranged as shown in FIG. 12.

[0118] Beam splitter 93 splits laser beam radiated from semiconductor laser 82 into two by transmitting the laser beam straight and also reflecting the laser beam perpendicularly. Collimator lens 83 forms laser beam L81 with a small diameter D81, based on the laser beam transmitted straight through beam splitter 93. Collimator lens 94 forms laser beam L82 with a large diameter D82, based on the laser beam reflected from beam splitter 93 perpendicularly. Reflecting mirror 95 perpendicularly reflects laser beam L82 from collimator lens 94, and reflecting mirror 96 further reflects the laser beam reflected perpendicularly by reflecting mirror 95 towards half mirror 86 perpendicularly. Thus, the optical system formed of collimator lenses 83 and 94, half mirror 86, beam splitter 93 and reflecting mirrors 95 and 96 forms laser beam L81 with small diameter D81 and laser beam L82 with diameter D82 larger than diameter D81 and allows laser beams L81 and L82 coaxially incident on objective lens 81.

[0119] In the reproduction device configured as above, laser beam radiated from a single semiconductor laser 82 is split into two by beam splitter 93, based on a laser beam reflected perpendicularly by beam splitter 93, collimator lens 94 forms laser beam L82 with large diameter D82. perpendicularly. Thus, the reproduction device dispenses with semiconductor laser 84 as shown in FIG. 12.

[0120] It should be noted that it is desirable that the distance between end surface 77 of optical fiber 7 or plane 80aof solid immersion lens 80 and magneto-optic recording medium 10, 11, and 12 is always fixed and thus tracks are desirably formed in a same plane, rather than of the land and groove type. In this case, a signal for tracking control may be previously recorded in a magneto-optic recording medium and side beam as well as main beam may be radiated to read the recorded signal to provide tracking control.

[0121] Although the present invention has been described and illustrated in detail, it is clearly understood that the same is by way of illustration and example only and is not to be taken by way of limitation, the spirit and scope of the present invention being limited only by the terms of the appended claims.