Observations of magneto‐optic phase contrast using a scanning laser microscope

A scanning laser microscope (SLM) has been built which is capable of observing magnetic structure via ‘‘conventional’’ Kerr imaging techniques and a ‘‘novel’’ magneto‐optic phase contrast approach. This latter contrast mode highlights magnetic transitions, rather than domains themselves. In this paper we present results of observations in TbFeCo samples using this phase contrast technique and assess its possible application as a read‐out mechanism for magneto‐optic recording systems.