Phase-change optical recording media

Abstract

A phase-change optical recording medium which attains a high erasability in overwriting at a high linear velocity and has high recording sensitivity, excellent OW cycling characteristics, and excellent weatherability. The phase-change optical recording medium comprises a substrate and formed thereon a multilayered film comprising a protective layer and a recording layer and is that information is recorded/erased based on reversible phase changes in the recording layer between a crystalline phase and an amorphous phase, wherein the protective layer is a film made of an oxide of tantalum or aluminum and at least one carbide, and the content of the carbide is from 1 to 40 mol %.

1 - 4 . (Canceled)  
   
   
       5 . A phase-change optical recording medium which comprises a substrate and formed thereon a multilayered film comprising a protective layer and a recording layer and in which information is recorded/erased based on reversible phase changes in the recording layer between a crystalline phase and an amorphous phase, wherein the protective layer comprises an oxide of aluminum and at least one carbide, the content of the carbide in the protective layer is from 1 to 40 mol %, and the protective layer is in contact with the recording layer.  
   
   
       6 . The phase-change optical recording medium of  claim 5 , wherein the protective layer contains one or more carbides selected from the group consisting of carbides of silicon, titanium, tantalum, and niobium.  
   
   
       7 - 12 . (Canceled)  
   
   
       13 . A phase-change optical recording medium which comprises a substrate and formed thereon a multilayered film comprising a protective layer and a recording layer and in which information is recorded/erased based on reversible phase changes in the recording layer between a crystalline phase and an amorphous phase, wherein the protective layer comprises an oxide of aluminum, at least one carbide, and one or more oxides of one or more elements selected from the group consisting of indium, silicon, titanium, hafnium, and zirconium, the content of the carbide in the protective layer is from 1 to 40 mol %, and the protective layer is in contact with the recording layer.  
   
   
       14 . The phase-change optical recording medium of  claim 13 , wherein the protective layer contains one or more carbides selected from the group consisting of carbides of silicon, titanium, tantalum, and niobium.  
   
   
       15 - 16 . (Canceled)