Experiment of optical reading from videotapes using magnetic transfer film

Abstract

In order to greatly increase the speed at which videotapes are read, we propose an optical reading method using a magnetic garnet film. This method allows several data tracks to be read in parallel. We have constructed trial films with a Faraday rotation angle of approximately 5 degrees per micrometer film thickness. An experiment to reproduce videotape data was carried out at a tape speed of 0.367m/s, and a CNR of over 30dB was achieved for a bit-length of 0.385μm.