Magneto-optic detection system with noise cancellation

In a magneto-optic readout system, a polarized beam of light from a laser is subjected to the magneto-optical effect of a magnetic record medium, and then passed through an analyzer which resolves the beam into two orthogonal vector components so oriented that the two components are of equal amplitude when the angle of rotation due to the magneto-optic effect is zero. Separate photodetectors produce two output signals which are proportional to the amplitudes of the vector components. The two output signals are combined in a differential amplifier through separate logarithmic transfer circuits to produce an output signal proportional to the ratio of the two original detector signals.