Abstract: An optical recording medium and a method for preparing the medium in which information can be recorded and read by means of a focused modulated laser beam. The optical recording medium comprises a substrate containing on at least one surface, a layer of organic material having an anisotropic and/or inhomogeneous physical microstructure which gives the layer a non-uniform density gradient along the direction perpendicular to the plane of the layer before exposure to a laser beam, whereby upon exposure to electromagnetic radiation the level of anisotropy and/or inhomogeneity is reduced.