Author Description

This book covers the physics of magneto-optical recording, beginning with first principles and working through to contemporary state-of-the-art topics. Both optics and magnetism are broad subjects, each with many applications in modern technology. This book prepares the reader for advanced work in either field. The first half of the book teaches the theory of diffraction using an original unified approach. It also covers the optics of multilayers (including dielectric, metal, birefringent and magnetic layers), polarization optics, noise in photodetection, and thermal aspects. The second half of the book describes the basics of magnetism and magnetic materials, magneto-static field calculations, domains and domain walls, the mean-field theory of magnetism, magnetization dynamics, the theory of coercivity, and the process of thermomagnetic recording. In each chapter, throughout the book, after coverage of the fundamentals the author explains the relevance of the topic to magneto-optical recording, and examples are given that emphasize this particular connection. Numerous examples based on real-world problems encountered in the engineering design of magneto-optical media and systems will give the reader valuable insights into the science and technology of optical recording. In addition, there are extensive problem sets at the ends of the chapters. This book may be used as an advanced textbook on optical recording in both physics and engineering departments, and also as a reference work for scientists and engineers in industrial and academic laboratories.