Resumen
Although magneto-optical recording is characterized by the potential advantage of efficient storage technique, including super resolution and of intrinsically higher data rates, it has not penetrated the high-volume mass market. The key reason for the success of phase change recording is playback compatibility with ROM drives. Other success factors are simple disc structure, use of simple optical detection, signal strength allowing a high read-data rate and lack of a magnetic coil required for magnetic field modulation direct overwrite in optical drives. These advantages outweigh by far drawbacks of phase change recording, such as the limited number of direct overwrite cycles. Researchers have also begun to seek options for a fourth-generation optical recording medium that could be based on near-field optics. For near-field recording, the objective lens is mounted on a slider, similar to the magnetic head in a hard disk. However, these researchers must still establish whether the key success factors of optical disc storage can be maintained in this ultimate density regime