MAGNETO-OPTICAL RECORDING AND READING-OUT METHOD

The disclosure describes a magneto-optical recording and readout method which comprises making a tape-type magneto-optical recording medium run in front of at least a single pole of a permanent magnet or an electromagnet at a position forwards of an optical head relative to the running direction of said recording medium, without contacting said magnet so as to cross at a substantial right angle to magnetic force lines, thereby initializing said recording medium or erasing information therein, said tape-type magneto-optical recording medium having at least a magneto-optical recording layer on one side of a base film having a thickness of not more than 50 .mu.m; and effecting recording of information by irradiating beams to the recording medium under application of an external magnetic field of not more than 24 kA/m.