Techniques for imaging microscopic dynamic magnetic phenomena in magnetic recording heads are reviewed. Two experimental apparatus which utilize the Kerr magnetooptic effect are described. A scanning magnetooptic photometer uses the principles of confocal optical microscopy in which a focused laser spot serves as a high-resolution ( approximately 0.3 mu m) probe of magnetic activity to very high frequencies (250 MHz). Magnetooptic flash photography uses the technique of stroboscopic imaging with digital image processing to provide instantaneous (10 ns exposure time) images of magnetic phenomena on a microscopic scale by utilizing a pulse laser for illumination. Results from various studies of ferrite, metal-in-gap, and thin-film magnetic recording heads using these apparatus are reviewed along with their methods.
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