Optical recording media with thermal coloration

Abstract
Laser recording on novel optical recording media with thermal coloration is reported. The basic recording mechanism is thermally induced chemical reaction between a coloring reagent and a coupling reagent that are deposited in vacuum, separated by a light absorbing layer. Transmittance changes on a 1-μm size recording pit have been observed by writing with a laser diode at 830 nm. This medium is colored blue, red, or black by selecting a coloring reagent layer. It is applied to multicolor recording by accumulating units of media.