Superresolution of Optical Disks Using a Small Aperture

We realized magnetically induced super resolution (MSR) using magneto-optical (MO) disks with a thermally formed aperture. The aperture size and position affect the spatial frequency response of the readout signal. Using the principle of superresolution in laser scanning microscopy, we analyze the optical transfer function (OTF) for various apertures. Applying the analysis to MSR readout, OTF of MSR is calculated using scalar diffraction theory. The calculated results agree well with experimental values.