Magnetooptical recording/reproducing apparatus with bias magnetic field generation devices for magnetic modulation recording and optical modulation recording

摘要

In a magnetooptical recording/reproducing apparatus, a beam spot is formed on a recording medium by radiating a laser beam from an optical head to the recording medium. In a magnetic field modulation recording, a bias magnetic field is applied from a first bias magnetic field generation device onto a very small region where the beam spot is formed. In an optical modulation recording, an bias magnetic field is applied from a second bias magnetic field generation device to the very small region. The first bias magnetic field generation device is adapted to be evacuated from a position above the very small region by an evacuating mechanism. The second bias magnetic field generation device is adapted to be moved to the position above the very small region to be mechanically interlocked with the evacuating mechanism.