Abstract: A magneto-optic method and apparatus for recording digital data employs selective heating beyond the Curie or compensation temperature T.sub.c of the record material in the presence of an external magnetic field for recording information by rotating the direction of magnetization at the affected record locations, and the selective detection of the state of rotation of the polarization direction at information storage locations in a recording medium by way of analyzing the state of rotation of the light transmitted through said record material. The writing and retrieval of information are performed by means of a sharply pointed tip placed at an essentially constant distance above the recording medium, the sharpness of the apex of said tip determining the resolution and the achievable storage density. The heating of the storage locations is accomplished by means of a laser beam directed onto the recording medium through said slidably arranged tip.