Abstract: In the multi-layer information medium having a plurality of information-storing layers according to the present invention, distance between the adjacent information-storing layers is reduced with no increase in cross talk between these layers. The optical information medium has at least two information-storing layers each storing recorded information and/or servo information, and at least one of the information-storing layers is recorded or read by the recording beam or the reading beam which has passed through other information-storing layer(s). The medium has a filter layer between the adjacent information-storing layers, and in the spectral absorption characteristics in the wavelength range of 300 to 1000 nm of this filter layer, a wavelength range exhibiting an absorption of 80% or higher and a wavelength range exhibiting an absorption of 20% or lower are present.

Abstract: An optical information medium has a light-transparent substrate and an information recording layer, wherein optical recording and/or reading is performed with a laser beam that enters the information recording layer from the light-transparent substrate side. A cured polysilazane film is disposed on the laser beam incident side of the light-transparent substrate, and the light-transparent substrate or the light-transparent substrate having the cured polysilazane film integrated thereon has a tensile modulus of at least 200 MPa. The medium on its laser beam incident side surface is improved in mar resistance.

Abstract: An optical information medium comprising at least two data layers for bearing recorded information, and a servo layer for bearing tracking servo, information which is independently formed from the data layers; wherein the medium is used with a recording or reading system wherein a data beam for recording or reading the data in the data layer and a servo beam for reading the tracking servo information in the servo layer are used, and the servo layer is read by the servo beam that had passed through the data layer; and a filter layer is disposed between the data layer and the servo layer, and the filter layer exhibits higher absorption to the data beam than to the servo beam.

Abstract: A method for recording a phase change optical recording medium under optimal conditions is provided. In the recording of a phase change optical recording medium which has a phase change recording layer and which has a data recording area and a test write area, the test write area is recorded before the recording of the data recording area, and the recording of the test write area is conducted corresponding to the recording history of the data recording area in order to determine optimal writing and erasing conditions for the data recording area on the basis of the quality of the read-out signal of the test write area.

Abstract: An optical information medium has a light-transparent substrate and an information recording layer, wherein optical recording and/or reading is performed with a laser beam that enters the information recording layer from the light-transparent substrate side. A cured polysilazane film is disposed on the laser beam incident side of the light-transparent substrate, and the light-transparent substrate or the light-transparent substrate having the cured polysilazane film integrated thereon has a tensile modulus of at least 200 MPa. The medium on its laser beam incident side surface is improved in mar resistance.

Abstract: An optical information medium is provided. The medium comprises a supporting substrate, an information recording layer thereon, and a light-transmitting layer thereon and a recording or reading laser beam enters the recording layer through the light-transmitting layer, and in such medium, recording/reading characteristics are improved when the beam spot of a laser beam has a small diameter and the linear velocity is high with the function of the light-transmitting layer to protect the information recording layer maintained at a sufficient level. Also provided is a medium wherein storage stability is improved.

Abstract: An optical information medium is provided which has a light-transmitting substrate which exhibits excellent light transmittance when a laser beam of blue/violet region or ultraviolet region is used as the recording and/or reading beam; whose light transmittance is not substantially affected by the variation or fluctuation of the oscillation wavelength of the laser beam source; which has a long-term weatherability; and which exhibits sufficient protective effects against exterior impacts. The optical information medium comprises an information recording layer and a light-transmitting substrate, and the medium is used such that the recording and/or reading laser beam reaches said information-recording layer through said light-transmitting substrate. The light-transmitting substrate has a light transmittance T and difference &Dgr;T between the maximum value and the minimum value of the light transmittance T in arbitrary wavelength range of 10 nm which satisfies the relations: T≧0.8 and &Dgr;T≦0.

Abstract: An optical information medium comprising at least two data layers for bearing recorded information, and a servo layer for bearing tracking servo information which is independently formed from the data layers; wherein the medium is used with a recording or reading system wherein a data beam for recording or reading the data in the data layer and a servo beam for reading the tracking servo information in the servo layer are used, and the servo layer is read by the servo beam that had passed through the data layer; and a filter layer is disposed between the data layer and the servo layer, and the filter layer exhibits higher absorption to the data beam than to the servo beam.

Abstract: A multi-layer information medium which is less likely to be deflected and twisted is provided. Such medium is also provided at low cost. The optical information medium comprises a substrate or a pair of substrates, and at least two information-storing layers for storing recorded information and/or tracking servo information disposed on said substrate or between said pair of substrates, and at least one information-storing layer is recorded or read by the recording beam or the reading beam which has passed through other information-storing layer(s). In this medium, the medium has at least one cured intermediate layer comprising an active energy radiation-curable resin, and at least one of said cured intermediate layer(s) has a tensile elongation at break of 15 to 200% and a tensile modulus of 20 to 1,000 MPa.

Abstract: An optical information medium comprising a supporting substrate, an information recording area on the supporting substrate, and a light-transmitting layer covering at least the information recording area, wherein the information recording area is irradiated with the recording/reading laser beam through the light-transmitting layer, and wherein the light-transmitting layer is highly scratch resistant upon contact with the optical pickup is provided. Also provided is an optical information medium which has a scratch-resistant light transmitting layer, and which experiences reduced vibration in high-speed rotation without suffering from problems in focus servo and tracking servo. In such optical information medium, the surface of the medium on the side of the laser beam incidence at least in the part above the information recording area has a dynamic coefficient of friction of up to 0.4.

Abstract: In the multi-layer information medium having a plurality of information-storing layers according to the present invention, distance between the adjacent information-storing layers is reduced with no increase in cross talk between these layers. The optical information medium has at least two information-storing layers each storing recorded information and/or servo information, and at least one of the information-storing layers is recorded or read by the recording beam or the reading beam which has passed through other information-storing layer(s). The medium has a filter layer between the adjacent information-storing layers, and in the spectral absorption characteristics in the wavelength range of 300 to 1000 nm of this filter layer, a wavelength range exhibiting an absorption of 80% or higher and a wavelength range exhibiting an absorption of 20% or lower are present.

Abstract: An optical information medium which has excellent abrasion resistance and which further exhibits sufficient smudge-proof properties is provided. The optical information medium is coated on at least one surface with a film of a silane coupling agent containing a water- or oil-repellent substituent, said silane coupling agent being represented by the following formula (1): R1—Si(X)(Y)(Z) wherein R1 is the water- or oil-repellent substituent; X, Y and Z are independently a monovalent group; and at least one of X, Y and Z is a group which is capable of forming Si—O—Si bond by polycondensation with silanol group; and said medium has an underlying layer formed in contact with said silane coupling agent film, and at least the surface of said underlying layer comprises a compound having a chemical bond represented by the formula (2): M—A wherein M is a metal atom (including a semimetal), and A is a chalcogen atom selected from O, S, Se, and Te, nitrogen atom, or carbon atom.