Magneto-Optical

A technology that utilizes the optical properties of a magnetized platter upon which data is stored magnetically, but read optically, using a laser. A laser heats up the magnetic material. An electromagnet then polarizes the material while it is still hot. When the magnetic surface cools, the polarity is set. Magnetic polarity affects light polarity, so a low power laser can then read the information back by determining the polarity of the reflected light.