Optical recording medium

Abstract

There is disclosed an organic optical recording medium with high data storage density, high data rates and long data archival capabilities, useful as a medium for recording a variety of information or pictures. In a preferred embodiment, the optical recording medium according to the present invention comprises a substrate, a reflective layer, a charge-generating layer containing at least one charge-generating material, a charge-transferring layer containing at least one charge-transferring material, a recording layer containing at least one electric field-discoloring element, a plurality of spacers, an air layer and a protective layer. A laser beam is absorbed to the charge-generating material contained in the charge-generating layer, to generate charges, which are subsequently transferred to the surface of the recording layer by the charge-transferring layer. With the influence of the charge generated, the illuminated area having the charges puts on a color different from that in the other areas. In readout of the recorded information, a laser beam of lesser intensity is scanned across the recorded medium. The erasure of the recorded data is carried out by discharging the charges generated on the surface of the recording layer. As a result, the erasure in the optical recording medium is performed much simpler.