PURPOSE: To obtain a new element possible for recording even with a laser light source of a small output, by storing and heat-treating a plate made of a shape memory effect storage alloy, processing the plate into a thinner plate, irradiating thermal energy rays to the plate locally and forming deformed parts.

CONSTITUTION: After storing and heat-treating a plate made of a shape memory effect storage alloy, the plate is processed into a thinner plate 5. Laser rays from a laser gun 4 are irradiated to this thin plate 5 to cause local heating, then this heated part tends to return to the original thickness, wen-shaped deformation 6 is produced. For example, through the use of this principle, the laser gun 4 is moved along the plate 5, laser rays are irradiated as required and a recording pattern consisting of a lot of deformed parts 6 on the plate 5. The recorded information is read with a reader consisting, for example, of a lamp 7 and an optical sensor 8.