The invention relates to a magneto-optical storage medium (200) and specifically a domain expansion storage medium. The medium (200) comprises a magnetic storage layer (107) for long term information storage and a thereto magnetically coupled magnetic reproduction or read-out layer (111), wherein an enhanced magnetic domain may be generated during read out. The magnetic layers (107,111) are separated by a non-metallic or metallic, non-magnetic or magnetic layer (109) and at least one metal layer (201, 203), such as Palladium or Platinum, is located adjacent to the magnetic reproduction layer (111). Preferably this metal layer (201, 203) is located on each side of the magnetic reproduction layer (111). The metal layer(s) (201, 203) provides increased heat dissipation and Kerr effect thereby permitting increased data density of the magneto-optical storage medium (200).