Abstract: An optical recording disk includes a dye base recording layer, an intermediate layer, and a reflective layer on a substrate in the described order. The reflective layer is composed of one or more metal elements, for example, copper alloy, and the intermediate layer contains a compound of the one metal element or a compound of at least one of the metal elements, for example copper oxide. The intermediate layer minimizes undesirable interactions between the recording and reflective layers.

Abstract: A recording thin film, a dielectric thin film, and a reflective thin film are stacked on a surface of a substrate in the described order. Upon exposure to recording laser light, an inorganic compound in the recording thin film decomposes to release a gas, creating a space in the recording thin film. Since the substrate is also heated and softened, a recess is created in the substrate surface due to the pressure of evolving gas. The space and recess cause a change of optical conditions, resulting in a substantial lowering of reflectivity where the laser light is irradiated. This enables reproduction in accordance with the CD standard. The use of an inorganic compound which decomposes to release a gas upon heating rather than organic dyes ensures better light resistance, leading to highly reliable information storage. Recording sensitivity is high.