Magneto-optical recording

MO or magneto-optical recording is a method of storing and retrieving data using a laser and a magnet. The laser within the drive heats the magnetic surface to a high enough temperature to allow the polarization of the disk to be modified via a magnet. This allows data to be more precisely written to the disk. Data is read from the disk with a laser of less intensity.

Also see: CD definitions, Magneto-optical diskette, Optical disc