Optical recording medium

An optical recording medium comprising a reflective layer and a phase change recording layer formed in this order on a substrate, so that recording and retrieving information is carried out by applying a laser beam to the phase change recording layer from the side of the phase change recording layer opposite to the substrate side, characterized in that:

• a diffusion preventing layer is formed in contact with the phase change recording layer on the side of the phase change recording layer opposite to the substrate side,
• a protective layer containing sulfur, is formed in contact with the diffusion preventing layer,
• the diffusion preventing layer is constituted by at least two layers, which comprise a non-gas element and nitrogen and/or oxygen as the main components, and
• when among at least two layers constituting the diffusion preventing layer, the layer in contact with the phase change recording layer is designated as a first diffusion preventing layer, and the layer in contact with the protective layer is designated as a second diffusion preventing layer,
• the amount (atomic %) of nitrogen and/or oxygen contained in the second diffusion preventing layer is larger than the amount (atomic %) of nitrogen and/or oxygen contained in the first diffusion preventing layer.