Abstract: An apparatus and a method for retrieving data stored on a magnetic medium with a high resolution is described. It is characterized by measuring a tunneling current which is partly depending on the magnetization of the medium (1). This dependence is caused by irradiating the medium (1) with polarized non-ionizing light. The tunneling current can be measured with a high lateral resolution by applying a probing tip (2) as known from conventional scanning tunneling microscopy or related techniques.

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.