Optical information recording medium

Abstract

The present invention is directed to an optical information recording medium for carrying out recording, readout and erasing with laser beams which comprises a support having carried thereon at least one of the compounds represented by the following general formulae (I), (II), (III) and (IV): ##STR1## wherein X and X' each represents an atomic group necessary for forming a carbon ring or an atomic group necessary for forming a specific heterocyclic ring; L.sup.1 mainly represents a methine group, or a group formed by linking 3 or 5 methine groups in turn to form conjugated double bonds; and Q and Q' each represents an atomic group whereby a conjugated double bond chain is completed; ##STR2## wherein L.sup.1 and Q are as defined in general formula (I); Z represents an atomic group necessary for forming a carbon ring or heterocyclic ring; R.sup.1 to R.sup.3 and E represent various substituents; and M represents an ion, etc.; ##STR3## in the above general formulae (III) and (IV), A represents an atomic group necessary for forming a pyridine, pyrimidine, pyrazine or triazine ring; and L.sup.2 represents a methine group, or a group formed by linking 3 or 5 methine groups in turn to form conjugated double bonds. Optical information recording media of the invention each have a high C/N and thus adequate recording characteristics, and have a high stability with respect to long-term preservation or long-time reading. These effects may further be enhanced by using a singlet oxygen quencher.