Abstract: A recording medium including a ferroelectric layer, a nonvolatile memory device including the recording medium and methods of wiring and reading data in the memory device. The recording medium includes: a lower electrode; a ferroelectric layer to which data is recorded, formed on the lower electrode; a barrier layer formed on the ferroelectric layer; and a semiconductor layer formed on the barrier layer. The nonvolatile memory device includes a probe that reads and writes the data. Furthermore, in the method of writing data, a writing voltage is applied between the probe, which contacts the semiconductor layer, and the lower electrode and, in the method of reading data, a state of a remanent polarization of the ferroelectric layer is determined by applying a reading voltage between the probe and the semiconductor layer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an optical disc for use as a recording medium in an optical disc drive, which has a transparent protection film (120) formed on a recording layer on one plane of the disc substrate (110) and a printing label film 130 being of approximately the same film quality and film structure as the transparent protection film (120) formed on the other plane thereof. The printing label film (130) is a synthetic resin film made mainly of polycarbonate and formed on the disc substrate by screen printing, etc. Thus, the optical disc has the same film quality and film structure on the respective one and the other planes, which prevents occurrence of skew caused by the deformation due to the asymmetry of the structure along the thickness direction of the optical disc. The optical disc has a function to present contents of information recorded therein with the printing label film provided on the other plane of the disc substrate.

Abstract: An optical information recording medium is provided with a substrate having a pregroove formed on one main plane; a reflecting layer arranged on the one main plane of the substrate and reflecting an access controlling laser beam; a selective reflecting layer arranged on the reflecting layer, transmitting the access controlling laser beam and reflecting a recording laser beam; a recording layer arranged on the selective reflecting layer for having information recorded thereon by the recording laser beam; and a reflection preventing layer arranged on the recoding layer. On the substrate, a dummy groove having a shape similar to that of the pregroove is formed on forming regions adjacent to an effective access region on the one main plane.

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: There is provided a novel magnetic recording medium which less damages the recording layer and of which recording tracks are fully magnetically spaced apart and manufacturing method therefor. The present invention provides the magnetic recording medium having a recording layer on a member with concave and convex portions, wherein the recording layer is provided on the concave and convex portions, and the recording layers on the concave and convex portions are different in magnetic properties with each other.

Abstract: An optical recording medium illuminated by light from a light source as near-field light using a focusing lens whose numerical aperture exceeds 1 to perform recording and/or reproduction is provided, wherein a composite layer in which a high refractive index material portion having a refractive index higher than that of a light-transmissible material portion is mixed in the light-transmissible material portion is provided on the surface of a light incident side of the optical recording medium. With an average refractive index of the composite layer being high, a numerical aperture controlled by a refractive index of a surface layer can be made large to obtain higher resolution and higher durability against contact with a lens or the like.

Abstract: An information recording medium comprises a substrate, a second recording layer, a second light transmitting layer, a first recording layer for recording different information from that to be recorded in the second recording layer, and a first light transmitting layer. The second recording layer is formed with a continuous second microscopic pattern of grooves. The first recording layer is formed with a continuous first microscopic pattern of grooves that is different from the second microscopic pattern. Both sidewalls of raised portions of the first and second microscopic patterns are formed with wobbling so as to be parallel with each other. Auxiliary information and a reference clock is recorded on these sidewalls alternately and continuously.

Abstract: An optical disc of the present invention includes at least a light reflection layer and a light transmission layer formed on a substrate, wherein recording and reading are performed by a laser beam through the light transmission layer, the light transmission layer is formed from a cured film of a ultraviolet-curable composition containing an epoxy acrylate resin obtained by reacting a half ester compound (A), which is obtained from a lactone-adduct of a hydroxyalkyl (meth)acrylate (a1) and a dibasic acid anhydride (a2), and an epoxy resin (B), and the film thickness of the light transmission layer is from 50 to 150 ?m.

Abstract: A magnetic memory is provided with a memory cell. The memory cell includes a magnetic recording element, an interconnection to generate a radio-frequency current-induced magnetic field and a ground line. The magnetic recording element is provided with a first magnetic layer whose magnetization direction is substantially fixed, a magnetic recording layer whose magnetization direction is substantially reversed by spin-polarized electrons passing through the magnetic recording layer and a first nonmagnetic layer provided between the first magnetic layer and the magnetic recording layer. The interconnection is provided above the magnetic recording element to generate a radio-frequency current-induced magnetic field acting in a direction substantially perpendicular to a magnetization easy axis of the magnetic recording layer. The ground line is provided on a side opposite to the magnetic recording element with respect to the interconnection.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a recording stack for obtaining a high-density relief structure, comprising: a first recording layer (10) on top of a second recording layer (12), the recording layers being supported by a substrate layer (14), wherein, upon projecting light on the recording layers, a local interaction of the recording layers leads to marks (16) on the basis of a local change of the properties with respect to chemical agents of the recording layers. The present invention further relates to a method of manufacturing a relief structure and a method of producing an optical data carrier.

Abstract: An energy-curable flowable coating composition comprising a surface treated inorganic nanoparticle, a photoinitiator, and at least one energy-curable monomer, oligomer or resin. The energy-curable flowable coating can be used as a covering layer of optical discs, and is especially suited for use as a 100 micron cover layer of a Blu-Ray disc, having enhanced scratch resistance and reduced shrinkage.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, an optical disc is the following the distance between a light incidence plane and the first recording layer is a minimum of 550 ?m. The distance between the first and the third recording layer is a maximum of 72 ?m. The distance between the second and the third recording layer is a minimum of 15 ?m. The distance between the first and the second recording layer is about 31 to 40 ?m. The reflectivities of the first and the second recording layer with respect to the first laser beam range from 18 to 27%, and the ratio therebetween is about 1.1 or less. The reflectivity of the third recording layer is below about 6%. The areal recording density of the third recording layer is three times or more as high as that of the first recording layer and the second recording layer.

Abstract: An optical disc has a security feature in the form of an RFID tag that communicates with a voltage controlled optical modifier layer in the optical disc. In the presence of an interrogation signal, the RFID tag allows the optical disc to be used normally by outputting a voltage to the optical modifier layer. In the absence of an interrogation signal, the optical modifier layer prevents a laser from reading from or writing on the optical disc. Other embodiments are also disclosed.

Abstract: An optical disc has a security feature in the form of an RFID tag that communicates with a voltage controlled optical modifier layer in the optical disc. In the presence of an interrogation signal, the RFID tag allows the optical disc to be used normally by outputting a voltage to the optical modifier layer. In the absence of an interrogation signal, the optical modifier layer prevents a laser from reading from or writing on the optical disc. Other embodiments are also disclosed.

Abstract: Multi layer near-field optical recording using a moderate numerical aperture (NA) is superior to the high-NA (NA=2.0) first-surface single-layer technique. The use of very flat and thin spacer layers limits spherical aberration due to difference in layer depth. The thin spacer layers may have a high refractive index because their thickness allow for a relatively high absorption constant. This makes possible in principle an m-layer system, e.g. m=4, with NA=1.6 which may include a flat, protective cover layer. Further a medium for use in such a system is described.

Abstract: An optical disc includes a first substrate having a first surface having a first recording layer formed thereon, a first reflective film formed on the first recording layer, a second substrate having a second surface and a third surface on both sides with a second recording layer and a third recording layer formed thereon, respectively, a second semi-transparent reflective film formed on the second recording layer, a third semi-transparent reflective film formed on the third recording layer, an adhesive layer provided between the first and second reflective films, and a transparent cover layer having a fourth surface and a fifth surface on both sides, formed on the third semi-transparent reflective film at the fourth surface. The first recording layer is capable of storing first data in compliance with first specifications. The second recording layer is capable of storing second data in compliance with the first specifications.

Abstract: A multilayer recording medium that prevents deterioration of a signal characteristic due to a mirror effect that may occur between recording layers and a method of manufacturing the same, the multilayer recording medium having at least two recording layers, wherein a thickness of at least one spacer layer between adjacent recording layers is different from a thickness of the other spacer layers such that a beam focusing on a recording layer is prevented from focusing on another recording layer corresponding to a mirror layer due to reflection. In the multilayer recording medium, a mirror effect is greatly reduced. In addition, the thickness of only a spacer layer exerting the most significant influence on the mirror effect is changed to prevent the deterioration of signal quality due to the mirror effect, and therefore, the structure of a multilayer recording medium is simplified.

Abstract: An information recording medium according to the present invention includes an information recording layer on which information is recordable, and is evaluated using an evaluation index which is found based on a ratio of a center of an amplitude of a reproduction signal corresponding to a second shortest mark and a second shortest space, with respect to a center of an amplitude of a reproduction signal corresponding to a longest mark and a longest space.

Abstract: A defect entry, including position information of a defective block of a reference information layer and state information indicating the defective state of blocks of the other information layers located adjacent to a perpendicular direction at a position of the defective block of the reference information layer, is recorded on a holographic information storage medium. A method of inspecting for a defect includes determining whether blocks in a reference information layer are defective, and determining whether blocks of the other information layers located adjacent to a perpendicular direction at a position of a defective block of the reference information layer are defective, based on a result of the defect determination of the reference information layer.

Abstract: A cyanine compound represented by formula (I): wherein ring A and ring B each represent a substituted or unsubstituted benzene ring or a substituted or unsubstituted naphthalene ring; R1, R2, R3, and R4 each represent an alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms or a substituted or unsubstituted benzyl group, or R1 and R2 are taken together, or R3 and R4 are taken together, to form a 3- to 6-membered ring, provided that at least one of R1, R2, R3, and R4 is a substituted benzyl group; Y1 and Y2 each represent an organic group having 1 to 30 carbon atoms; Anm? represents an m-valent anion; m represents an integer 1 or 2; and p represents a coefficient for maintaining overall charge neutrality.

Abstract: A double sided optical disc includes a first record carrier having a light transmitting base board, a first reflecting layer formed on the base board and a first protective layer formed on the first reflecting layer; and a second record carrier having a light transmitting cover, a second reflecting layer formed on the cover and a second protective layer formed on the second reflecting layer. The first record carrier is united to the second record carrier through an adhesive layer for uniting the first protective layer to the second protective layer. The total thickness of the first record carrier and the second record carrier that are united together is not longer than 1.4 mm and the thickness of the light transmitting base board of the first record carrier is not shorter than 1.1 mm. Thus, recording surfaces having different specifications are provided on respective surfaces to improve a utility.

Abstract: Four types of optical systems, a polarization optical system including an objective lens having a high numerical aperture, a polarization optical system including an objective lens having a low numerical aperture, a non-polarization optical system including an objective lens having a high numerical aperture and a non-polarization optical system including an objective lens having a low numerical aperture, are selectively used at the time of irradiating light from a semiconductor laser on a target disk for measurement, and the in-plane birefringence characteristic and perpendicular birefringence characteristic of the target disk are separately acquired based on the amounts of received light obtained by measuring reflected light from the target disk by a photosensor.

Abstract: An optical information recording medium containing a substrate having provided thereon a recording layer capable of recording information by laser beam irradiation, wherein the recording layer contains a dye represented by the following general formula (I): wherein R1, R2, R3 and R4 each independently represents a hydrogen atom or a substituent group; R5 and R6 each independently represents a hydrogen atom or a substituent group; and B represents a substituted or unsubstituted aryl group or a substituted or unsubstituted heterocyclic group, which are derivable from a diazonium salt.

Abstract: An optical recording medium of improved recording and reading characteristics, having both a read-only information recording layer and an information recording layer. The optical recording medium includes information recording layers capable of recording and reading by irradiation of laser light having a wavelength ? of 400 to 410 nm through an optical system having a numerical aperture NA of 0.8 to 0.9. In this medium, the information recording layers include at least a read-only information layer having information recorded in advance and an information recording layer different from the read-only information recording layer, the read-only information recording layer being capable of information recording of write-once type or rewritable type. The read-only information recording layer is stacked closest to a light incident surface of the laser light.

Abstract: Disclosed is an optical disk, card or media which comprises: a) a plurality of data structures that are readable by the interrogating beam of light; and b)a composition on or in the optical disk, card or media disposed so that when the optical disk, card or media is used in the optical read-out system, the interrogating beam of light passes through the composition before or after contacting some or all of the data structures. The composition comprises a polymeric matrix with an organometallic complex dissolved therein or with metal, transition metal, metal oxide or transition metal oxide nanoparticles uniformly dispersed therein. The composition is substantially transparent to the interrogating beam and/or is substantially colorless.

Abstract: A printable optical disc including an optical disc body, a waterproof protective film, and a first patterned layer is provided. The optical disc body has a printable surface. The waterproof protective film has an upper surface and a lower surface. The lower surface is disposed on the printable surface, and the upper surface has an optical grating pattern or a pixel pattern. The first patterned layer is disposed between the lower surface of the waterproof protective film and the printable surface.

Abstract: An information recording medium (100) includes (i) a first recording layer (L0 layer) having a first track and (ii) a second recording layer (L1 layer) having a spiral or coaxial second track sharing the rotation center with the first track. (iii) The first recording layer has a first point (point Bx) indicated by a first address. (iv) The second recording layer has a second point (point Dx) which can be defined according to a predetermined positional relationship (allowable area: 10) with respect to the first point (point Bx).

Abstract: An optical disk having a recording layer on a substrate, a bonding layer which is made of an ultraviolet cured resin bonding the recording layer, a transparent layer which is bonded to the bonding layer, and an overcoating layer which is formed on the transparent sheet and is made of the ultraviolet cured resin further has a mixed layer which is formed by mixing the ultraviolet cured resins of the bonding layer and the overcoating layer. Consequently, the bonding layer, the overcoating layer, and the mixed layer are integrally cured, so that the substrate is entirely covered with the ultraviolet cured resin having transparency, which allows a light transmitting layer A to be protected with sufficient strength.

Abstract: A ferroelectric polarization pattern with differing feedback signals. An apparatus including a ferroelectric layer and a polarization pattern configured in the ferroelectric layer to represent position data. The polarization pattern has a first switchable polarization state domain and a second switchable polarization state domain that are both switchable by an applied signal. The first switchable polarization state domain has a first feedback signal in response to the applied signal that is different than a second feedback signal of the second switchable polarization state domain at the applied signal.

Abstract: The present invention provides an optical information recording medium having a substrate, a recording layer, and a reflective layer, and including a region corresponding to a burst cutting area: wherein the region has a plurality of bar recorded portions and a plurality of non bar recorded portions; and the ratio (A/B) of transmittance (A) with which the bar recorded portions transmit laser light for use in information reproduction to transmittance (B) with which the non bar recorded portions transmit the laser light is 1.5 or greater. The present invention also provides a method of manufacturing the optical information recording medium, the method including: irradiating a region corresponding to a burst cutting area with laser light having a wavelength of 400 to 2000 nm and a recording power of 0.1 to 20 W at a linear velocity of 0.01 to 5 m/s to form a plurality of bar recorded portions in the region.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for recording and/or reproducing holographic data and a holographic information storage medium, wherein the apparatus for recording and/or reproducing holographic information includes an optical pickup emitting light onto a holographic information storage medium and receiving the emitted light. The optical pickup includes: a light source unit emitting a signal beam and a reference beam in a recording mode; and a focusing optical system focusing the signal beam and the reference beam on one focal point in the holographic information storage medium so that information can be recorded by using an interference pattern formed along a depth direction of the holographic information storage medium in the vicinity of the focal point, wherein the numerical aperture of the focusing optical system for the signal beam is different from the numerical aperture of the focusing optical system for the reference beam.

Abstract: A method of recording data in a multilayered recordable optical recording medium is disclosed. When test recording is executed in a multilayered recordable optical recording medium having N recording layers (N is an integer of 2 or more), a test recording range in a test recording area of an (m+1)th recording layer is shifted relative to a test recording range in a test recording area of an mth recording layer by an amount greater than a difference of decentration amounts between the mth and the (m+1)th recording layers or a maximum decentration amount in the N recording layers. The shifting direction is inverse to a test recording range adding direction in a radius direction of the recording medium.

Abstract: The present invention provides a filter for optical recording medium capable of preventing diffuse reflection of an information beam and a reference beam from a reflective layer in the optical recording medium and preventing occurrence of noise without causing shift in selective reflection wavelength, and distortion in a reproduced image even when an angle of incidence is changed, and an optical recording medium capable of recording a high density image by using the filter. Specifically, the present invention relates to the optical recording medium containing a first substrate, a recording layer which records information by utilizing holography, an optical compensation layer, a filter layer, and a second substrate, in this order, and the filter layer is a cholesteric liquid crystal layer.

Abstract: Provided is a recording layer for optical information storage media, which not only excels in initial reflectivity and creativity of recording marks, but also extremely excels in durability under high temperature and high humidity conditions, and which can be adequately applied to next-generation optical discs using blue-violet laser. The recording layer for optical information storage media is a recording layer to create recording marks upon irradiation with a laser beam. This recording layer is composed of a tin-based alloy containing a total of 1.0 atomic percent or more and 15 atomic percent or less of at least one selected from neodymium (Nd), gadolinium (Gd), and lanthanum (La).

Abstract: To provide a method for determining an optimum laser beam power for a single-side, dual-layer optical recording medium having first and second information layers, the method including: determining an optimum laser beam power based on a predetermined characteristic value at the time when the number of overwrite cycles on the recording medium is a predetermined value, wherein the method is conducted by an optical recording/reproduction apparatus utilizing optical change, and wherein the first information layer is closer to the laser irradiation side than is the second information layer.

Abstract: [Problems] Multilayered optical information recording media involve a problem that a BCA is erroneously formed in a different information recording layer even if the BCA is intended to be formed in a specific information recording layer. [Means for Solving the Problems] An optical information medium (1) for recording/reproducing information by applying a laser beam includes two or more recording layers (11, 12) for recording/reproducing information by receiving a laser beam at the same laser beam incident surface (1a). A geometrical irregularity (K) is formed in an area (inner peripheral side) (21) for a BCA on one recording layer (12), and a mirror surface is formed in the area of the other information recording layer (11) corresponding to the BCA area (21). The geometrical irregularity (K) is detected when focus servo is actuated so as to detect the desired information recording layer. Thus, a BCA is prevented from being erroneously formed in another information recording layer.

Abstract: An optical information recording medium, includes a disc-shaped substrate, at least one information recording layer formed over a recording/reproducing-side main surface of the substrate, a light transmitting layer formed over the information recording layer, and a protecting layer formed to cover the light transmitting layer and at least one part of a side end surface perpendicular to the main surface of the substrate. At least the part of the side end surface is covered with the protecting layer for covering the recording/reproducing-side main surface, and the surface of the protecting layer covering at least the part of the side end surface has a larger surface roughness than that of the surface of the protecting layer covering the upper of the recording/reproducing-side main surface.

Abstract: A recording layer is described that is at least partially or entirely positioned at a distance T7 of less than 0.4 mm with respect to the second surface. When the optical recording medium is clamped in a drive, the recording layer has a “higher” position than a recording layer of a known DVD. The layer structure of the described optical recording medium reduces the thickness of the disc in an area of the recording layer. In particular, a thickness T1 of only 0.4 to 0.7 mm is possible while maintaining the reliability of the optical recording medium (i.e. without reading problems in most or all drives). Further, the optical recording medium may have only one substrate, i.e. only one disc of polycarbonate, whereas the other side of the recording layer is only covered by a protective lacquer.

Abstract: The optical recording medium comprises a visible information recording layer comprising at least two dyes of the following dyes. Ra1 to Rb3 each independently denote a hydrogen atom or a monovalent substituent, Ra2 and Ra3 may bond together to form a five to seven-membered heterocyclic ring, A denotes a substituted or unsubstituted aliphatic group, substituted or unsubstituted aryl group, or substituted or unsubstituted heterocyclic group, n denotes 0, 1, 2, or 3. Za21 and Za22 each independently denote an atom group forming an acidic nucleus, Ma21 to Ma23 each independently denote a substituted or unsubstituted methine group, Ka21 denotes an integer ranging from 0 to 3, and Q denotes a monovalent cation. A1=N—B1??General formula (III) A1 denotes a substituted or unsubstituted heterocyclic group, a substituted aliphatic group, or a substituted or unsubstituted carbocyclic group, and B1 denotes a substituted or unsubstituted heterocyclic group or a substituted or unsubstituted aryl group.

Abstract: This invention relates to a recording medium comprising: a substrate (21) made of a material, provided with pads, a layer of recording material (23) deposited on top of the pads, thermal insulation zones (22a) in at least one part of the pads and/or substrate.

Abstract: The invention relates to a storage medium comprising a security feature, having a substrate (1, 4, 10), at least one functional layer (2, 5, 11), at least one feature which is written into the functional layer (2, 5, 11) and is visible when reflected and at least one feature which is written into the functional layer (2, 5, 11) and is visible when transmitted, at least one feature being individualized and at least one feature having a diffractive structure. The invention solves the technical problem of providing a larger variety of combinations of different security features. The invention also relates to a method for producing a storage medium comprising a security feature.

Abstract: A common mode noise filter includes a nonmagnetic layer, first and second magnetic layers sandwiching the nonmagnetic layer between the magnetic layers and contacting the nonmagnetic layer, a plane coil provided between the first and second magnetic layers and contacting the nonmagnetic layer, and an external electrode connected electrically with the plane coil. The first and second magnetic layers include a magnetic oxide layer and an insulator layer provided on the magnetic oxide layer. The insulator layer contains glass component. This common mode noise filter has a large bonding strength between the external electrode and the insulator layer.

Abstract: An optically writable display medium, which includes a display layer, a photoconductor layer and a pair of electrodes, is provided. The display layer is capable of selectively reflecting incident light in response to an applied voltage and it has memory capability. Electrical resistance of the photoconductor layer changes in response to writing light with which the photoconductor layer is irradiated. The pair of electrodes are disposed such that the display layer and the photoconductor layer are interposed therebetween, with at least one of the electrodes having plural segmented electrodes juxtaposed along a predetermined direction. Each power receiving terminal of the plural segmented electrodes is disposed such that part of a region of the power receiving terminal of each segmented electrode overlaps, in the predetermined direction, but does not contact part of a region of the power receiving terminal of the segmented electrode that is adjacent thereto.

Abstract: A high density optical disc that can be driven changeably with the existent optical disc by the same driving apparatus. On the recording surface of the optical disc, a light transmissive layer with a thickness of about 0.2 to 0.4 mm is formed. The recording face is accessed by allowing a light beam with a wavelength of 395 to 425 nm in a spot shape to be irradiated onto it. Also, the light beam is converged in a spot shape by an objective lens having the numerical aperture of about 0.62 to 0.68.

Abstract: The invention relates to an optical recording material comprising: a polymeric matrix; a dewarbenzene derivative reactant capable of undergoing isomerization to a benzene product upon triplet excitation, thereby causing a change in optical properties; and a sensitizer capable of absorbing actinic radiation to cause triplet energy transfer to said reactant, wherein the algebraic sum of the excitation energy of said sensitizer and its reduction potential is at least 0.05 eV less than the oxidation potential of said reactant, thereby precluding one-electron oxidation of said reactant. The invention further relates to an optical device comprising regional variations in concentrations of reactants and products produced by triplet chain isomerization, thereby providing a pattern of intelligence.

Abstract: The object of the present invention is to provide an optical recording medium which includes a substrate, a first information layer and a second information layer, the first information layer and the second information layer are disposed on the substrate through an intermediate layer in a laminar structure; recording and reproducing is performed on each of the two information layers by laser beam irradiation from the first information layer side; the second information layer is provided with at least a reflective layer, a dielectric layer, and a second dye recording layer formed in this order; and the dielectric layer is formed from any one of materials selected from the group consisting of oxides, nitrides, sulfides, carbides or mixtures thereof from any one of elements which are not same as metal elements and semi-metal elements used for forming the reflective layer.

Abstract: The disclosure is directed to an optical disk with a topographical surface. The topographical surface may be formed in the optical disk to create an aesthetic label for the optical disk. The topographical surface may include raised features that refract, diffuse, reflect, or diffract light that makes images of the label viewable to a user. The topographical surface may be at least partially radially coincident with a data surface of the optical disk. An optical disk that includes a topographical surface as the label may not require an additional layer or process to create the label. In some examples, the topographical surface may include raised features of high spatial frequency and configured to create a hologram label that displays images to the user.

Abstract: An information recording medium 1 at least comprises a substrate 13 having a microscopic pattern 20, which is constituted by a shape of continuous substance of approximately parallel grooves formed with a groove section G and a land section L alternately, a recording layer 12 formed on the microscopic pattern 20 and a light transmission layer 11 formed on the recording layer. The microscopic pattern 20 is formed so as to satisfy a relation of P<?<NA and a thickness of the light transmission layer 11 is within a range of 0.07 to 0.12 mm, wherein P is a pitch of the groove section G or the land section L, ? is a wavelength of reproducing light beam and NA is a numerical aperture of an objective lens. Further, there provided an information recording medium, which is improved in cross erase and recorded in high density, and a reproducing apparatus and a recording apparatus for the information recording medium.

Abstract: A record carrier (10) and a method of recording an image on a record carrier (10) are provided. A plurality of optical property changing layers (12, 14, 16) that change their Color upon the application of thermal energy applied by a laser beam (18) is provided. It depends on the power of the laser beam (18) which layer of the stack is reached and thereby colored. Since the temperature to induce an optical property change increases from one layer to the subsequent layer, a fine adjustment of the laser power is not needed.

Abstract: An information storage medium is provided with a plurality of information storage layers, each of which includes an optimal power control (OPC) area for obtaining an optimal recording condition. Optimal power control areas in odd-numbered and even-numbered information storage layers viewed from a direction in which light is incident upon the information storage medium are disposed one on another to not directly face each other. An actually usable area of an optimal power control area in each of the information storage layers varies depending on use circumstances of each of the information storage layers. Therefore, when an OPC area of one information storage layer performs OPC, this OPC does not affect another information storage layer. Also, an area of each of the information storage layers can be efficiently used.