A new tracking method for an optical tape recording system is described. Since it is difficult to form pits or grooves on tape media, we have employed crosstalk signals to detect tracking error. On the 2 tracks adjacent to the one that the focused spot must follow, pilot signals at 2 different frequencies are recorded respectively. When reading the track, the pilot signals from the 2 adjacent tracks are derived from the readout signal. The tracking error signal is generated by differential detection of their amplitudes. We carried out fundamental experiments using a rotating optical head and a magneto-optical recording medium sputtered on a flat glass substrate. A 5 micrometers mark length was available to detect the tracking error for a 2 micrometers track pitch. A total residual tracking error of less than 0.1 micrometers was obtained when the medium was displaced in a 2 micrometers peak to peak range.
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