Abstract: A recording layer contains a dye A having a complex index of refraction at 780 nm whose real part n is 1.8-2.8 and imaginary part k is up to 0.15 and forming a thin film exhibiting an absorption spectrum whose half-value width is up to 170 nm and a dye B having a complex index of refraction at 630 nm or 650 nm whose real part n is 1.8-2.8 and imaginary part k is up to 0.2. An optical recording medium capable of writing and reading in a conventional wavelength region of about 780 nm and a shorter wavelength region of about 630 to 680 nm is obtained.

Abstract: An optical recording medium having a recording layer and a reflective layer closely stacked on a substrate, wherein recording is carried out by directing recording light to the recording layer to form pits and reproduction is carried out by directing reproducing light to the recording layer. The recording layer contains a light absorbing dye, typically cyanine dye and a bisphenylenedithiol copper complex quencher in either independent form or ionically bonded form. The quencher characterized by a low coefficient of extinction can be added in a sufficient amount to provide the recording layer with light resistance while maintaining recording/reproducing performance.

Abstract: A phthalocyanine dye of specific structure represented by the following general formula (1) or (2): ##STR1## where Y is O or S attached to the phthalocyanine ring, Z is the group of atoms recurred to complete a carbon or heterocyclic ring together with C, A.sub.1 is a monovalent substituent bulkier than a hydrogen atom, and each of X.sub.1 and X.sub.2 is H or a monovalent substituent or, in the alternative, X.sub.1 and X.sub.2, taken together, form a single bond, ##STR2## where Y and Z.sub.1 have the same meanings as defined for Y and Z in formula (1), All is a monovalent substituent having a branched alkyl group, which is attached to the ring completed by Z.sub.1, and s1 is the number of A.sub.11, is used for the recording layer of an optical recording layer. This phthalocyanine dye is unlikely to attack a substrate material such as PC, can be handled with ease, and has a high solubility in a coating solvent advantageous for film formation, for instance, an alcoholic solvent, e.g.

Abstract: An optical recording disk comprising a grooved substrate, a dye-containing recording layer, and a reflective layer in close contact with the recording layer is recorded by directing recording light to the recording layer in the groove to form pits and reproduced by directing reproducing light to the pits. The substrate is formed of a cyclic olefin polymer. A photo-stabilized cyanine dye in the form of an indolenine cyanine dye cation-quencher anion ionic combination has relatively constant values of n and k with a variation in the wavelength of recording/reproducing light. Then the disk is resistant against light, heat and water to ensure satisfactory performance according to the CD standard.