Advanced thin films for optical storage

In this paper, the mechanism, optical, and recording properties of rare-earth-transition metal alloy films for magneto-optical data storage, the writing and erasing characteristics of InSb- and GeTe-based alloy films for phase change type, and organic materials for photo-gated persistent spectral hole burning and photochromic recording are reviewed. In addition, several specific theoretical and experimental results in such fields are given.