Effects of land microstructures on tracking error signal in magneto-optic disk systems

Recent proposals for increasing storage density for erasable magneto-optic disks have included schemes to control magnetic domain location and shape by introducing microstructures on the lands and grooves. This paper addresses how the proposed microstructures will affect the track error signal that is generated by the land-groove relief of the magneto-optic disk. While the recorded data information is carried by the Kerr effect polarization rotation of the read beam, the tracking error signal arises from the diffraction of the read beam by the land-groove profile under the read spot.