GARNETS FOR SHORT-WAVELENGTH MAGNETOOPTIC RECORDING

The bismuth substituted iron garnets have attracted considerable atten tion as alternative blue wavelength magneto-optic recording media due to their large magneto-optic effects in the short wavelength region of the visible spectrum. However, these materials currently require a hi gh temperature processing step and have not been deposited on inexpens ive substrates with adequate carrier to noise ratios. The low CNR is a result of high media noise which is believed to be related to the und erlying microstructure of the film. This paper will discuss the magnet ic and magneto-optic properties of garnet films suitable for blue wave length magneto-optic recording; review the techniques by which films o f these materials have been deposited; present the current understandi ng of the crystallization process and methods for controlling the phys ical microstructure and uniformity of written magnetic domains; and fi nally review the current status of the performance of these materials as short wavelength magneto-optic media.