Multitrack digital tape recording using MO readout system

Summary form only given. As magnetic density and data rate are increasing, the conventional inductive readout heads are no longer able to reach the sensitivity and compactness required. Besides magnetoresistive effect, magnetic head may take an opportunity to use magneto-optic effect for better sensitivity, parallelism, and compactness. Optics allow narrow track following and readout; magnetic detection through contact or low flying poles insures high longitudinal resolution. Conventional magnetic media offers low cost and high reliability. We show the validity of this concept in developing 1024 track head for reading 1/2" tape. We discuss the performances of such a device in terms of resolution, data rate, and ruggedness.