Co-ferrite--New magnetooptic recording material

Single-crystal thin films of cobalt-ferrite with large perpendicular anisotropy were grown on MgO substrates. The films are represented by the general formula Co
x
Fe
3-x
O
4
. The flux reversal mechanism, the main magnetic and magnetooptic parameters of these films were studied over the wide composition range. Bit-by-bit and holographic Curie point writing were made on cobalt-ferrite films. The films possess some unique advantages in comparison with MnBi films. Write energy and diffraction efficiency of cobalt-ferrite films were measured and calculated. The films are found to be suitable for magnetooptic memory applications.