Optical recording medium structure and method of manufacture

A method of forming an optical recording medium structure, comprising the steps of:

• providing a transparent substrate;
• forming a first dielectric layer over the transparent substrate;
• forming a first buffer layer over the first dielectric layer by sputtering;
• forming a recording layer over the first buffer layer by sputtering, wherein the first buffer layer prevents the diffusion of at least one type of element from the recording into the first dielectric layer and prevents the diffuison of at least one type of element from the first dielectric layer into the recording layer;
• forming a second buffer layer over the recording layer by sputtering;
• forming a second dielectric layer over the second buffer layer, wherein the second buffer layer prevents the diffusion of at least one type of element from the recording layer into the second dielectric layer and prevents the diffusion of at least one type of element from the second dielectric layer into the recording layer;
• forming an optical compensation layer over the second dielectric layer;
• and
• forming a reflection layer over the optical compensation layer.