Abstract: A magneto-optical recording medium includes a first magnetic layer (reproduction layer), a second magnetic layer (control layer), a third magnetic layer (blocking layer), and a fourth magnetic layer (recording layer) having respective Curie temperatures TC1, TC2, TC3 and TC4. The Curie temperatures of the layers satisfy the relationships TC1>TC3>TC2 and TC4>TC3. In addition, the magnetic anisotropy of the third magnetic layer Ku3 is greater than that of the second magnetic layer Ku2. A magnetic domain wall in the first magnetic layer in front of the spot irradiated by the reproduction light in the direction of travel is displaced toward the peak temperature portion so that a recorded domain is expanded. Displacement in the spot direction of a domain wall in the first magnetic layer behind the reproduction light spot in the direction of travel is suppressed. The second and third magnetic layers control the magnetic exchange coupling between the first and fourth magnetic layers.

Abstract: A magnetic recording-reproducing apparatus has a magnetic recording medium having a nonmagnetic substrate, and a functional layer and a recording layer formed on the nonmagnetic substrate, the recording layer exhibiting a magnetic anisotropy energy density KuRL, the functional layer developing ferromagnetism upon irradiation with light so as to exhibit a magnetic anisotropy energy density KuFL lower than the magnetic anisotropy energy density KuRL and the functional layer serving to lower the magnetic anisotropy energy density of the recording layer through exchange coupling interaction with the recording layer when the functional layer is irradiated with light, a light source which irradiates the functional layer with light, and a magnetic head having a writing head writing signal magnetization by applying a magnetic field to the recording layer and a reading head reading the signal magnetization recorded in the recording layer.