Optical recording medium

Abstract

An optical recording medium is disclosed which incorporates a recording layer made of a phase-change material. The optical recording medium has a structure such that the ratio Ac/Aa of absorptance Ac realized when the recording layer is in a crystal state and absorptance Aa realized when the recording layer is in an amorphous state is 0.9 or higher. Moreover, a crystallization enhancing layer for enhancing crystallization of the phase-change material is formed which is made to contact with at least either surface of the recording layer. Since control of the absorptance and enhancement of crystallization are simultaneously performed, the difference between the physical properties of crystal and those of amorphous can be reliably compensated for. Thus, a satisfactory direct overwriting can be performed even under high speed and dense conditions.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.