PURPOSE: To optically perform the regeneration of information, by providing a recording layer containing a microcapsule having a light emitting substance encapsulated therein on a substrate.
CONSTITUTION: An optical recording medium is constituted by laminating a recording layer 13 containing a microcapsule having a light emitting substance encapsulated therein on a substrate 12 and further providing a protective layer 14 thereon. When the recording layer 13 is irradiated with writing laser beam 16 through the protective layer 14, a part not irradiated with the laser beam emits no light and the wall of the microcapsule in the part irradiated with the laser beam is melted by heat being generated and the light emitting substance is exposed from the microcapsule to form a light emissive recording pattern 15 due to the difference in light emitting intensity. In the regeneration of information, only an information written part where the light emitting substance in the microcapsule of the recording layer 13 is fixed emits light by introducing light energies from external illuminators 19a, 19b, 19c and, by detecting the distribution of the light emitting intensity of said part, information is read.
MIURA KYO
KAWADE ISAAKI
OGUCHI YOSHIHIRO
MIYAGAWA MASASHI
