Abstract: A method of making a holographic data storage medium is provided. The method comprises: (a) providing an optically transparent substrate comprising at least one photochemically active dye; and (b) irradiating the optically transparent substrate at least one wavelength at which the optically transparent substrate has an absorbance in a range from about 0.1 to 1, to produce a modified optically transparent substrate comprising at least one optically readable datum and at least one photo-product of the photochemically active dye. The at least one wavelength is in a range from about 300 nanometers to about 800 nanometers. The optically transparent substrate is at least 100 micrometers thick, and comprises the photochemically active dye in an amount corresponding to from about 0.1 to about 10 weight percent based on a total weight of the optically transparent substrate.

Abstract: A positive resist composition comprising: (A) a resin showing an increase in the solubility in an alkali developer by the action of an acid; (B) a compound being capable of generating an acid when irradiated with an actinic ray or a radiation; (C) a resin having a silicon-containing repeating unit of a specific structure and being stable to acids but insoluble in an alkali developer; and (D) a solvent; and a pattern making method using the same.

Abstract: A recording layer including a novel organic compound for a high density optical recording medium is provided. The information may be recorded on the recording layer at a 2× speed or higher speed with a relatively lower writing power so that heat distribution of the recording layer in the irradiated area is not likely to become steep both in time and space. The organic compound incorporated in the recording layer has the following general chemical structural formula (I).

Abstract: An optical recording medium includes a substrate, a protective layer and a plurality of information recording layers between the substrate and the protective layer and capable of recording data in the plurality of information recording layers and reproducing data recorded in the plurality of information recording layers by projecting a laser beam via a light incidence plane constituted by one of the surfaces of the substrate and protective layer onto the plurality of information recording layers, each of the information recording layers other than a farthest information recording layer from the light incidence plane including two recording films, a first dielectric film located on the side of the light incidence plane with respect to the two recording films and containing an oxide as a primary component and added with nitrogen, and a second dielectric film located on the opposite side of the light incidence plane with respect to the two recording films and having a lower thermal conductivity than that of the

Abstract: A multi-layer printed wiring board includes a board covered with a conductor layer, an interlayer insulating resin layer, an etched metal film on the interlayer insulating resin layer, and a via hole. The interlayer insulating resin layer has a fibrous substrate. The via hole has an electrolytic plated film and an electrolessly plated film and connects the conductor layer of the board and the etched metal film.

Abstract: A recording layer including a novel dye for a high density optical recording medium, employing short wavelength laser source with a wavelength not longer than 530 nm for recording high density information and reproduction/playback of the high density information recordings, is provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to materials comprising hydrophilic polymers and immobilized proteorhodopsin and the use of such materials as an optical information carrier. The material comprises one or more hydrophilic polymers that are capable to form a homogeneous phase with proteorhodopsin prior to solidification to a solid form. The hydrophilic polymer, for example, is silica sol-gel, gelatin, polyvinylalcohol, agarose, agar, methyl cellulose, polyvinyl acetate, polyvinyl pyrrolidone, polyethylene glycol, or a mixture thereof. The solid material having immobilized proteorhodopsin is deposited on a substrate selected from the group consisting of glass, paper, metal, fabric material, plastic material, and used as an optical data storage material or a fraud-proof carrier. The present invention further provides a security ink comprising proteorhodopsin and one or more hydrophilic polymers.

Abstract: A method for fabricating a disc stamper is provided. First, a substrate is provided. Next, a layer of a coatable inorganic material is coated on the substrate, wherein the coatable inorganic material is an oxide, in which the chemical element constitution is more than one element selected from the group consisting of Te, Al, Zr, and Ti. Next, a laser beam is utilized to perform direct write on the layer of the coatable inorganic material to form a relief pattern. Thereafter, a metal layer is electroplated on the relief pattern. Next, the metal layer is separated from the relief pattern. The layer of the coatable inorganic material is utilized to form the relief pattern, so that it is more compatibility to equipment apparatus and lower cost in contrast with sputtered PTM process.

Abstract: In an embodiment, there is disclosed a product labeling system comprising: a first high energy electromagnetic or particle wave generator, at least one second high energy electromagnetic of particle wave generator; and a controller operatively configured to direct wave produced by said first generator and the wave produced by said second generator onto a portion of the subsurface of the product to mark the product at said subsurface without generating any substantial disruption of the surface of said product.

Abstract: A device manufacturing system and method are used to perform multiple exposures utilizing a resettable or reversible contrast enhancing layer. A radiation sensitive layer is formed on a substrate. A resettable or reversible contrast enhancing layer is formed on the radiation sensitive layer. The resettable or reversible contrast enhancing layer is bleached with a first pattern. The first pattern formed in the resettable or reversible contrast enhancing layer is transferred to the radiation sensitive layer. The resettable or reversible contrast enhancing layer is reset to unbleach the resettable or reversible contrast enhancing layer. The resettable or reversible contrast enhancing layer is bleached with a second pattern. The second pattern formed in the resettable or reversible contrast enhancing layer is transferred to the radiation sensitive layer.

Abstract: The main object of the present invention is to provide a photocatalyst composition and a photocatalyst containing layer showing a high activity in a short period of time, and a pattern formed body using the photocatalyst containing layer. To attain the object, the invention provides a photocatalyst composition containing at least a photocatalyst, characterized by including a portion with the signal intensity of the electron spin resonance spectrum derived from the hydroxy radical increased to 1,000 times or more in 1 second within 600 seconds of the start of the ultraviolet ray irradiation at the time of measuring the electron spin resonance spectrum while irradiating the ultraviolet ray.

Abstract: A holographic data storage medium includes a polymer film which is set up as a storage layer and whose surface structure can be changed locally by heating. The polymer film is set up for the storage of holographic information via the local surface structure of the polymer film. A reflective layer can be provided on the data storage medium.

Abstract: A method is provided for irreversibly coloring a coating composition containing a color former comprising the steps of a) providing a coating composition that contains an UV curable resin, a thermosetting resin or an alkyd resin with the proviso that the coating composition contains no developer nor any additive which may function as developer; b) mixing the coating composition with the color former whereby no color is formed; c) applying the colorless composition obtained in step b) to a substrate; d) in case of a thermosetting resin curing the resin between 100 and 300° C., preferably between 100 and 150° C., whereby no color is formed, in case of alkyd resin drying of the resin at room temperature, whereby no color is formed; e) exposure to UV or high energy radiation below 400 nm whereby the color is formed.

Abstract: A recording method for a dye-based recordable optical recording medium including recording shortest marks on a recording layer containing a dye formed on a substrate having a guide groove using one pulse beam, and recording second shortest marks or still longer marks at a pulse power as high as or lower than that of the shortest marks using one pulse beam of which two sites of the front edge and rear edge of pulse are highly energized for a given length of time, wherein a ratio Pc/W4 during recording of each mark at 12 m/s or more is set within 1.0 to 3.0; or the irradiation time of the cooling pulse Tc after that the pulse is applied with beams when the Pc/W4 ratio is 0.14 or less is set to be as long as or shorter than the basic clock cycle T.

Abstract: the invention provides a composition having laser engraving properties, comprising a host material and a laser enhancing additive. The host material comprises a material, such as a polymer, modified by a first process, whereby the host material as modified by the first process has increased thermal conductivity as compared to the host material before the first process. The laser enhancing additive comprises a first quantity of at least one of copper potassium iodide (CuKI3), Copper Iodide (CuI), potassium iodide (KI), sodium iodide (NaI), and aluminum iodide (AlI), and a second quantity of at least one substance selected from the group consisting of zinc sulfide (ZnS), barium sulfide (BaS), alkyl sulfonate, and thioester.

Abstract: An image forming medium includes a substrate and an imaging layer coated on or impregnated into said substrate, where the imaging layer includes as a photochromic material a spiropyran compound having a conjugated pathway, dispersed in a polymeric binder, wherein the photochromic material exhibits a reversible transition between a colorless state and a colored state in response to heat and light.

Abstract: A recording layer including a novel dye for a high density optical recording medium, employing short wavelength laser source with a wavelength not longer than 530 nm for recording high density information and reproduction/playback of the high density information recordings, is provided.

Abstract: A donor sheet for transferring an image pattern to an image receiving element by a thermal imaging process using laser beam, comprising a base having formed in order on the base a light-to-heat conversion layer, and a transfer layer containing an image component which is melted by heating due to an action of the light-to-heat conversion layer and transferred to the image receiving element in a patterned form, in which the image component of the transfer layer contains an ink-repellent or solvent-repellent compound in an optimized amount. Using the donor sheet, it becomes possible to produce an separation member such as partition pattern and black matrix of a color filter by a shortened manufacturing step with ease and accuracy at high contrast, and can impart excellent ink repellency to the separation member.

Abstract: Cyanine compounds represented by the general formula (I) which exhibit decomposition behavior suitable for the optical recording material to be used in optical recording layers of optical recording media for high-speed recording: (I) wherein A and B are each an optionally substituted benzene or naphthalene ring; X is O, S, Se, CR3R4, or NY; at least either of R1 and R2 is a group represented by the general formula (II) or (III) and when only either is a group represented thereby, the other is an organic group having 1 to 30 carbon atoms; R3 and R4 are each an organic group having 1 to 30 carbon atoms; Y is hydrogen or an organic group having 1 to 30 carbon atoms; at least either of Y1 and Y2 is a group represented by the general formula (IV) and when only either is a group represented thereby, the other is hydrogen or an organic group having 1 to 30 carbon atoms; Z is hydrogen, halogeno, or cyano; Anm? is an m-valent anion; m is an integer of 1 or 2; and p is a coefficient capable of keeping the electric char

Abstract: An aspect of the present invention includes a method for patterning a workpiece covered at least partly with a layer sensitive to electromagnetic radiation by using a plurality of exposure beams having a predetermined separation in at least a first direction for exposing a pattern onto said workpiece, where said predetermined separation is fixed to an initial system pitch in said first direction, comprising the actions of: scaling a pattern pitch in said first direction to be an integer multiple of said system pitch, adjusting the initial system pitch in said first direction to be an adjusted system pitch to maintain a scale of said pattern, adjusting said predetermined separation of exposure beams to said adjusted system pitch.

Abstract: The optical recording medium according to one embodiment of the present invention includes a substrate, a reflective layer located on the upper side of the substrate and reflecting an incident laser beam, and an information recording layer located on the reflective layer. The information recording layer includes a first recording layer containing a compound in the form of AXB1-X (0.8?X?0.9), wherein A is Ag and B is Sb and Te, and a second recording layer containing at least one element selected from the group consisting of Si, Sn, Sb and Ge. The laser beam is irradiated on the first recording layer prior to the second recording layer. Therefore, the optical recording medium of the present invention may provide high recording density and transmittance velocity suitable for BLU-RAY DISC system.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system, as well as articles and holographic recording medium comprising the system, where the system comprises: a polymerizable component comprising at least one photoactive polymerizable material; and a photoinitiator component comprising at least one photoinitiator for causing the polymerizable component to polymerize to thereby form a plurality of holographic gratings when activated by exposure to a photoinitiating light source; wherein when a portion of the polymerizable component has been polymerized to form at least one holographic grating, the unpolymerized portion of the polymerizable component is resistant to further polymerization when not exposed to the photoinitiating light source. The present invention also provides methods for forming at least one holographic grating in a holographic recording medium having such a photopolymerizable system.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and devices for fabricating 3D structures and patterns of 3D structures on substrate surfaces, including symmetrical and asymmetrical patterns of 3D structures. Methods of the present invention provide a means of fabricating 3D structures having accurately selected physical dimensions, including lateral and vertical dimensions ranging from 10s of nanometers to 1000s of nanometers. In one aspect, methods are provided using a mask element comprising a conformable, elastomeric phase mask capable of establishing conformal contact with a radiation sensitive material undergoing photoprocessing. In another aspect, the temporal and/or spatial coherence of electromagnetic radiation using for photoprocessing is selected to fabricate complex structures having nanoscale features that do not extend entirely through the thickness of the structure fabricated.

Abstract: A transfer substrate includes a support base which transmits laser light with a predetermined wavelength, a photothermal conversion layer provided on the support base, and a transfer layer provided on the photothermal conversion layer, the transfer layer including at least a luminescent layer. The photothermal conversion layer is composed of a first material and a second material having different absorptances with respect to the laser light.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for making a printing form having a relief surface on a floor from a photosensitive element. The method involves generating a polymerization rate curve for the photosensitive element from a step exposure test by measuring a cure response, such as floor thickness or one or more relief image characteristic/s, of the element relative to an energy density of a source of actinic radiation. The method exposes a photosensitive element to the source of actinic radiation based on energy density that accounts for changes in intensity of lamps used for the source of actinic radiation.

Abstract: The cyanine compound of the present invention is represented by general formula (I) below and suitable as an optical recording material used in a recording layer of optical recording media on which recording and play-back are conducted with laser beam. The cyanine compound of the present invention particularly exhibits appropriate thermal decomposition behavior to attain sensitivity compatible with high-speed recording.

Abstract: The presently disclosed embodiments are directed to image forming mediums useful for reimageable and transient documents. More particularly, the embodiments pertain to an image forming medium comprising thermally gated photochromic materials comprising diarylethene (DAE) photochromes which avoid problems with unwanted reduction in color contrast due to background coloration.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a new solvent composition useful in the process of manufacturing an optical recording medium. The invention provides a new liquid composition comprising from 0.1 to 20% by weight of a dye having a solid state absorption band maximum in the spectral region from 300 to 800 nm, from 0.5 to 99.9% by weight of a compound of formula (I), wherein R1 to R8 are H, CH3 or C2H5, with the proviso that the total number of carbon atoms in R1 to R8 is 0, 1 or 2, and optionally from 0 to 99.4% by weight of one or more further components, all based on the weight of the solution. The instant solvent composition enables to manufacture an optical recording medium of a single recording layer type capable of recording and playing a large volume of information using commercially available compact disc recorders and players and of superior performance in an amazing wide range of drive speeds.

Abstract: An optical recording material for use in an optical recording layer of an optical recording medium comprising the optical recording layer provided on a substrate, the optical recording material comprising a cyanine compound represented by general formula (I): wherein rings A and B each represent a substituted or unsubstituted benzene or naphthalene ring; X represents O, S, Se, CR3R4 or NY; one of R1 and R2 represents a specific group of formula (II) or (III), with the other representing a C1 to C30 organic group; R3 and R4 each represent a C1 to C30 organic group; Y, Y1, and Y2 each represent a hydrogen atom or a C1 to C30 organic group; Z represents a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom or a cyano group; Anm? represents an m-valent anion; m represents an integer of 1 or 2; and p represents a coefficient maintaining charge neutrality.

Abstract: A donor substrate for use in an organic light emitting display comprises a base substrate and a transfer layer disposed on the base substrate. A selective heat generation structure is interposed between the base substrate and the transfer layer. The selective heat generation structure has a heat generation region from which heat is generated by light-to-heat conversion and a heat non-generation region contacting the heat generation region. By employing the donor substrate, it is possible to form minute transfer layer patterns with high accuracy without the need to accurately control the width of a laser beam. A fabrication method of an organic light emitting display comprises disposing the donor substrate on an acceptor substrate, irradiating a laser beam onto the donor substrate, and forming a transfer layer pattern on a pixel electrode of the acceptor substrate.

Abstract: A photoresist composition includes a cyclic compound, a photoacid generator, and an organic solvent. The cyclic compound includes any one selected from the group consisting of moieties having chemical structures represented by the formulae (1), (2), (3) and (4) set forth herein, and at least one moiety having the chemical structure represented by the formula (9) set forth herein.

Abstract: A thermal transfer donor element is provided which can include a support, light-to-heat conversion layer, interlayer, and transfer layer. When the donor element is brought into contact with a receptor and imagewise irradiated, an image is obtained which is free from contamination by the light-to-heat conversion layer. In order to enhance the lifetimes of the transferred material, thermal treatments such as annealing are applied to the receptor before transfer, to the transfer layer after transfer, or a combination of them. The construction and process of the donor element is useful in making colored images including applications such as color proofs, color filter elements, and organic light emitting diode displays and devices.

Abstract: A photosensitive resin composition and a photosensitive dry film which are excellent in both sensitivity and stability and are well-balanced in tent strength, resolution and plating non-staining are provided. The photosensitive resin composition comprises an alkali-soluble resin (A), a photopolymerizable compound (B) and a photopolymerization initiator (C), and the polymerization initiator (C) comprises a hexaarylbisimidazole based compound (C1) and a multifunctional thiol compound (C2) as essential components. The photosensitive dry film has at least a photosensitive resin layer formed from the photosensitive resin composition on a support film.

Abstract: A phase-change recording material used for an information recording medium utilizing a crystalline state as a non-recorded state and an amorphous state as a recorded state, which has the composition of the following formula (1) as the main component: (Sb1?xSnx)1?y?w?zGeyTewM1z??formula (1) wherein each of x, y, z and w represents atomicity, x, z and w are numbers which satisfy 0.01?x?0.5, 0?z?0.3 and 0?w?0.1, respectively, and the element M1 is at least one element selected from the group consisting of In, Ga, Pt, Pd, Ag, rare earth elements, Se, N, O, C, Zn, Si, Al, Bi, Ta, W, Nb and V, and (I) when z=0 and w=0, y is a number which satisfies 0.1?y?0.3, (II) when 0?z?0.3 and w=0, y is a number which satisfies 0.05?y?0.3, and (III) when 0?z?0.3 and 0<w?0.1, y is a number which satisfies 0.01?y?0.3.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of thiazolyl-pyridinium based dyes in optical layers for optical data recording, preferably for optical data recording using a laser with a wavelength up to 450 nm. The invention further relates to a write only read many (WORM) type optical data recording medium capable of recording and reproducing information with radiation of blue laser, which employs a thiazolyl-pyridinium based type dye in the optical layer. The present invention further relates to new thiazolyl-pyridinium based dyes, of formula (V), (VI) or (VIII).

Abstract: The subject invention achieves further improvement in recording density for an optical information recording medium using a medium super-resolution effect with a super-resolution film, by reduction of the effective spot diameter in a further effective way. According to the optical information recording medium of the present invention, information is recorded on a recording surface of a substrate 5 in the form of phase pits. On the recording surface, an information layer 4, composed of a reflection film 6, a light-absorbing film 3 and a temperature-responsive film 2, is formed. The temperature-responsive film 2 is made of a ZnO film, which is an inorganic super-resolution film whose complex refractive index changes according to intensity of incident light, the film is also superior in a light transmittance property. The light-absorbing film 3 is made of an Si film 3, which absorbs a part of the incident light so that the temperature of the information layer 4 increases.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a black paste composition suitable for use in laser direct imaging devices employing a light source emitting a laser having a maximum wavelength of 350 to 420 nm, useful in forming a high-definition black matrix pattern efficiently, and superior in storage stability, a black matrix pattern formed by using the composition, a plasma display having the pattern, and a method of forming the black matrix pattern by using the composition. An alkali development-type black paste composition of the present invention comprises (A) a carboxyl group-containing resin, (B) a glass frit, (C) a black pigment, (D) a compound having at least one radically polymerizable unsaturated group in its molecule, and (E-1) an oxime-based photopolymerization initiator represented by the following general formula (I).

Abstract: An image forming medium includes a paper substrate and an imaging layer coated on or impregnated into a paper substrate, where the imaging layer is formed of an imaging composition that includes an alkoxy substituted diarylethene photochromic material dissolved or dispersed in a solvent or polymeric binder, and where the imaging composition exhibits a reversible transition between a colorless and a colored state.

Abstract: An image forming medium includes a substrate, and an imaging layer coated on or impregnated into the substrate, wherein the imaging layer includes an imaging composition including a photochromic or photochromic-thermochromic material and an infrared absorbent dissolved or dispersed in a solvent or polymeric binder; wherein the infrared absorber absorbs infrared light of a wavelength in a range from about 730 nm to about 1500 nm; and wherein the imaging composition is imageable by light of a first wavelength and erasable in a short time period by a combination of infrared radiation and light of a second wavelength and exhibits a reversible transition between a colorless and a colored state.

Abstract: The azo-metal chelate dye to which the present invention is applied is a compound formed as follows: for example, 1,3,4-thiadiazole ring is selected as the diazo component; the diazo component is combined with a coupler component having condensed rings including a fluorine-substituted alkylsulfonylamino group and an amino group, to form an azo dye compound; and the azo dye compound forms chelate bonds with at least one metal selected from the group consisting of Co, Ni, Cu and Pd. Here, two absorption bands (OD1 and OD2) are seen in the absorption spectrum, which is measured in a range of 400 to 800 nm wavelengths. The azo-metal chelate dye is characterized in that the optical density ratio (OD2/OD1) of the two absorption bands is greater than 1.25. By using this azo-metal chelate dye, an optical recording medium capable of high-speed recording is provided.

Abstract: The present invention includes systems and compositions of holographic grating structures devices and methods for fabricating such holographic grating structures. The method comprises the steps of preparing a composite mixture comprising a polymerizable matrix, a liquid crystal, and a photo-oxidant dye, producing an interference pattern from two interference beams, wherein the two interference beams originate from a recording laser beam directed by a low energy laser, and projecting the interference pattern on the composite mixture to form a holographic grating structure. As described, the holographic grating structure yields a first-order diffraction efficiency of at least about 30% diffraction efficiency which may be adjusted by the application of an electric field.

Abstract: Instances of data-storage media having pits and lands, such as individual DVDs or CDs, are manufactured by selectively illuminating a light-curable material to form cured regions corresponding to the lands. The selective illumination of the light-curable material can be implemented using mask-based illumination or selective laser illumination or both. The mask used in mask-based illumination can have one or more extra opaque portions and/or one or more extra transparent portions corresponding to false pits and/or false lands, respectively, where selective laser illumination is used to convert one or more false pits/lands produced during mask-based illumination into true pits/lands for the competed medium.

Abstract: An initiator composition and infrared radiation-sensitive composition include an onium cation and a boron-containing anion as well as a metallocene. These compositions can be used to provide negative-working imageable elements that can be imaged and developed to provide lithographic printing plates that have desired imaging speed, excellent run length, and shelf life without the need for a post-exposure baking step and oxygen barrier overcoat.

Abstract: A write-once optical disk comprises a substrate, a recording layer which is stacked on the substrate and comprised of a first reaction layer comprised of a material containing hydrogen and a second reaction layer comprised of a material having an extinction coefficient greater than that in the first reaction layer, and a protective layer which is stacked on the recording layer.

Abstract: Image formation via photoinduced fluorescence changes in a polymeric medium with two-photon fluorescence readout of a multi-layer structure. Fluorophore-containing polymers, possessing one or more basic functional groups, underwent protonation in the presence of a photoinduced acid generator upon exposure to a broad-band UV light source or fast-pulsed red to near-IR laser irradiation. Solution studies demonstrated formation of monoprotonated and diprotonated species upon irradiation, each resulting in distinctly different absorption and fluorescence properties. The fluorescence of the original, neutral, fluorophore was reduced upon monoprotonation leading to a concomitant increase in fluorescence at longer wavelengths due to the monoprotonated form, the basis for multichannel data readout.

Abstract: Embodiments are directed to recording digital data on an optically ablatable digital storage media. In one embodiment, a device configured to ablate portions of ablatable material on an optically ablatable digital storage media receives digital data that is to be recorded on a recording layer of an optically ablatable digital storage media. The recording layer is formed on a substrate with zero or more intervening layers between the recording layer and the substrate. The recording layer includes ablatable material capable of storing digital data. The device ablates the ablatable material in the recording layer according to a sequence defined by the received digital data such that the ablated portions correspond to data points of the received digital data.

Abstract: Ternary optical data storage method and apparatus for Write Once Read Many Times (WORM) optical data storage with two-photon fluorescent writing and readout. The data storage capacity is limited by the optical resolution of a system. In CD/DVD systems, an increase in the aerial data density has been primarily achieved by decreasing the bit dimension. However, the size of the optical spot (bit) is restricted by limitations imposed by the diffraction of light (Rayleigh criterion). Therefore, technologies that can effectively create and detect spot sizes beyond the diffraction limit (sub-Rayleigh) hold promise to achieving high-density optical storage.

Abstract: An exemplary method for fabricating a mold core includes the following steps. First, a substrate is provided. Second, a photo resist layer is formed on the substrate, the photo resist layer has a top surface. Third, the photo resist layer is etched using a direct writing process to form the top surface thereof into a substantially aspherical stepped surface. Lastly, the photo resist layer is softened using a reflow process to transform the substantially aspherical stepped surface into a substantially aspherical smooth molding surface. Thereby, a mold core having the substantially aspherical smooth molding surface is obtained.

Abstract: The information recording medium of the present invention comprises at least one of the following oxide-based material layers: (I) an oxide-based material layer containing Zr, at least one element selected from the group GL1 consisting of La, Ga and In, and oxygen (O); (II) an oxide-based material layer containing M1 (where M1 is a mixture of Zr and Hf, or Hf), at least one element selected from the group GL2 consisting of La, Ce, Al, Ga, In, Mg and Y, and O; (III) an oxide-based material layer containing at least one element selected from the group GM2 consisting of Zr and Hf, at least one element selected from the group GL2, Si, and O; and (IV) an oxide-based material layer containing at least one element selected from the group GM2, at least one element selected from the group GL2, Cr, and O. This oxide-based material layer can be used, for example, as a dielectric layer.

Abstract: The object of the present invention is to provide a multilayer phase-change information recording medium comprises a substrate, and N layers of information layer (N represents an integral number of 2 or more), and each of the information layers comprises at least a recording layer in which information is recorded by irradiating laser beam to induce a phase change between crystalline phase and amorphous phase. The present invention is characterized in that when the information layer is disposed so that a first information layer, a second information layer, a third information layer . . .