JPH10134355A - Optical recording method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To shorten a test recording time by setting a recording beam intensity range of a narrow range containing a recording beam intensity value obtained front former test recording and selecting/testing recording beam intensity from its intensity range. SOLUTION: A modulation circuit 6 modulates light intensity of a laser beam 4 when test recording is performed on an optical disk 2 according to a test pattern. A memory 7 stores plural test patterns. A control circuit 10 obtains recording conditions according to respective test recording areas based on regenerative information obtained by a reproducing circuit 9. Further, the control circuit 10 inputs a signal from a temp. sensor 8, and reads out the test pattern data from the memory 7 when a temp. is changed by a prescribed value or above, and makes the modulation circuit 6 start test recording operation by sending that data to the circuit 6. An operation circuit 11 calculates the optimum light intensity in the whole recording area when the information is recorded based on the recording conditions obtained by the control circuit 10.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an optical recording method, and more particularly to a method for determining a beam intensity during recording.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, an optical recording / reproducing method which satisfies various requirements including high density, large capacity, high access speed, and high recording / reproducing speed, a recording apparatus, a reproducing apparatus, and a recording medium used therein. Is widespread. There are many types of optical recording / reproducing methods that use principles such as thermal perforation, phase change, and magneto-optics. Of these, the phase change and magneto-optical methods, which allow information to be recorded and then erased, and to record new information again and again, are used for computer external memory and consumer audio equipment. It has been widely applied to

Until recently, the optical recording / reproducing method has made it impossible to overwrite new information on a recorded medium without an erasing operation. However, an optical recording method capable of overwriting only by modulating the intensity of an irradiating light beam in accordance with binary information to be recorded, an overwritable optical recording medium used therein, and an optical recording medium used therefor Overwriteable recording devices have been proposed.

[0004] This will be briefly described using magneto-optical recording as an example.
In addition, this method was applied for a patent in a plurality of countries, of which a patent was registered in the United States (Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. Sho 62-175948 = DE 3,619,61
8A1 = USP 5,239,524). Hereinafter, this invention will be referred to as "basic invention". The overwritable magneto-optical recording medium used in the basic invention has a multilayer magnetic layer having perpendicular magnetic anisotropy (perpendicular magnetic layer or layers) as a storage layer. These magnetic layers are made of, for example, amorphous TbFe, TbFeCo, GdFe, GdFeCo, DyFe, DyFeCo, and the like. Layer or M layer) and a recording auxiliary layer (hereinafter, also referred to as a recording layer or W layer) composed of a magnetic thin film that can also be perpendicularly magnetized. It has a low coercive force Hc and a high Curie point Tc, and both layers are exchange-coupled, and at room temperature, only the magnetization of the W layer is changed to a predetermined value without changing the direction of magnetization of the M layer. An overwritable multilayer magneto-optical recording medium that can be oriented in the direction. The M layer and W
The layer may itself be composed of a multilayer film, and in some cases, an intermediate layer may be present between the M layer and the W layer.
Further, an initialization layer for initializing the W layer may be provided adjacent to the W layer.

[0005] Information is recorded in a mark having magnetization in a direction perpendicular to the substrate (referred to as "A direction") in the M layer (and possibly also in the W layer) and a direction opposite to the mark (referred to as "reverse A direction"). Recording is performed using a mark having magnetization. In this medium, the W layer has exchange coupling force or magnetic field means (for example, an initial auxiliary magnetic field).
Hini.) Allows the magnetization direction to be aligned in one direction. In addition, at that time, the magnetization direction of the M layer does not reverse, and the magnetization direction of the W layer once aligned does not reverse even when subjected to the exchange coupling force from the M layer. The direction of magnetization of the M layer does not reverse even when subjected to exchange coupling force from the W layer aligned in one direction.

In the recording method according to the basic invention, the recording medium is arranged so that only the magnetization direction of the W layer is aligned in one direction before recording, and thereafter, the medium is irradiated with a pulse-modulated beam according to the binary information. . Beam intensity is high level PH
And low level PL, which corresponds to the high and low levels of the pulse. The low level is higher than the reproduction level PR for irradiating the medium during reproduction. As already known, it is common to irradiate a beam at a "very low level" even when not recording, for example to access a given recording location on the medium. This very low level is also the same or a similar level as the reproduction level PR.

At the temperature reached by the medium when the medium is irradiated with a low-level beam, the direction of magnetization of the W layer does not change, and the direction of magnetization of the M layer has a domain wall between the M layer and the W layer. Orientation of non-existent state. This is called a low temperature process, and the temperature region where this process occurs is called a low temperature process temperature TL. On the other hand, at a higher temperature reached by the medium when the medium is irradiated with a high-level beam, the direction of magnetization of the W layer follows the direction of the recording magnetic field, and the direction of magnetization of the M layer changes between the M layer and the W layer. In the state where no domain wall exists. This is called a high temperature process, and the temperature region where this process occurs is called a high temperature process temperature TH.

After the beam irradiation, the magnetization of the W layer following the direction of the recording magnetic field by the high-level beam irradiation again follows the direction of the magnetic field means due to the exchange coupling force or the action of the magnetic field means. Therefore, if the direction of the exchange coupling force or the direction of the magnetization of the magnetic field means and the direction of the recording magnetic field are reversed, new recording is repeatedly recorded on the already recorded M layer (ie,
Overwriting). This is the principle of light modulation overwrite magneto-optical recording.

[0009] In a slightly different expression, the contents described above form recording marks by high-level beam irradiation, and erase recording marks by low-level beam irradiation, so that new information is overlaid on old information. It can also be said to write (overwrite).

[0010]

When recording on an optical recording medium, it is desirable to optimize the shape of the recording mark. Otherwise, when the recorded information is reproduced, the shape of the reproduction signal is disturbed and the information cannot be reproduced accurately. That is, a data error may occur.

In order to optimize the shape of a recording mark, it is necessary to perform recording by setting an optimum recording beam intensity based on the recording sensitivity inherent to the optical recording medium on which recording is performed. But,
Since the recording sensitivity of the optical recording medium has temperature dependence, it is necessary to know the recording sensitivity of the optical recording medium at the temperature at the time of recording and to control the recording beam intensity accordingly. Conventionally, a recording apparatus for an optical recording medium performs test recording on the optical recording medium at predetermined time intervals using a plurality of levels of recording beam intensities selected from a predetermined recording beam intensity range. By determining the optimum recording beam intensity of the medium and setting the value, it is possible to cope with changes in the environmental temperature.

However, if the test recording that requires a relatively long time is repeated in the same procedure every fixed time, there is a problem that the time required for the entire test recording increases and the actual data transfer speed decreases. is there. In the case of overwrite recording by light intensity modulation, as described above, at least two levels of high-level and low-level recording power need to be set independently, so that more time is required for test recording. . For this reason, even if data transfer is speeded up by performing overwrite recording,
Since the time required for the test recording becomes long, there is a problem that the original effect of the overwrite recording is not sufficiently exhibited.

An object of the present invention is to provide an optical recording method which solves the above problems, shortens the time required for test recording, and has a substantially high data transfer rate.

[0014]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present inventors, when performing test recording, use a relatively narrow recording beam intensity value obtained by the previous or previous test recording. The present inventors have found that the time required for the test recording can be greatly reduced by setting the recording beam intensity range of the range and selecting the recording beam intensity from the intensity range to perform the test recording.

According to the present invention, in an optical recording method for recording information on an optical recording medium, when the recording beam intensity is obtained by test recording, the recording beam intensity includes the recording beam intensity value obtained by the previous or previous test recording. A test recording is performed by setting an intensity range and selecting a recording beam intensity from the intensity range.

The recording beam intensity range may be an intensity range centered on a recording beam intensity value obtained by a previous or previous test recording. Further, the present invention provides an optical recording method for recording information on an optical recording medium,
When obtaining the recording beam intensity by test recording, it is necessary to set a recording beam intensity range including the recording beam intensity value obtained by the previous test recording, and perform the test recording by selecting the recording beam intensity from the intensity range. Features.

The recording beam intensity is sequentially set so that the deviation from the initial value gradually increases with the recording beam intensity value obtained by the previous or previous test recording as an initial value. You may. Further, the present invention provides an optical recording method for recording information on an optical recording medium, wherein when the recording beam intensity of a new optical recording medium is determined by test recording after exchanging the optical recording medium, a test performed in a previous or previous test is performed. A recording beam intensity range is set including the recording beam intensity value obtained by recording, and a test recording is performed by selecting a recording beam intensity from the intensity range.

Further, the optical recording medium may be an optical recording medium that performs overwrite recording by modulating the recording beam intensity to at least two levels of a high level and a low level. Further, the present invention provides an optical recording method for recording information by irradiating a recording medium with light, wherein test recording is performed on the recording medium while sequentially changing the irradiating light intensity, and a result of the test recording is used. Determine the appropriate light intensity capable of normal recording on the medium, hold the information on the appropriate light intensity in a predetermined location of the recording medium or recording device, when performing the next test recording, the retained Test recording is performed at a light intensity based on information on an appropriate light intensity.

[0019]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an optical recording apparatus used in an embodiment of the present invention. In the figure, an optical recording device 1
a includes a drive motor 3 for rotating the optical disk 2 and an optical head 5 for recording, reproducing and erasing information by irradiating the focused laser beam 4 onto the disk surface. The optical head 5 can be moved in the radial direction of the disk by a coarse motor (not shown), and the position in the radial direction where information is recorded, reproduced, and erased can be changed.

The modulation circuit 6 modulates the light intensity of the laser beam 4 when performing test recording on the optical disk 2 according to a test pattern. The memory 7 stores a plurality of test pattern data to be recorded at the time of test recording. The temperature sensor 8 detects the temperature of the optical recording device 1a or the temperature of the optical disk 2, and outputs a detection result to the control circuit 10. The reproduction circuit 9 restores the reproduction signal from the optical head 5 as data and sends it to the control circuit 10a. The test pattern recorded on the optical disk 2 at the time of test recording is reproduced by the reproducing circuit 9.

The control circuit 10 obtains recording conditions corresponding to each test recording area based on the reproduction information obtained by the reproduction circuit 9. Further, the control circuit 10 receives a signal from the temperature sensor 8, reads out the test pattern data from the memory 7 when the temperature changes by a predetermined value or more, and sends the test pattern data to the modulation circuit 6. Starts the test recording operation. The arithmetic circuit 11 calculates the optimum light intensity in the entire recording area when recording information based on the recording conditions obtained by the control circuit 10.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing another configuration example of the optical recording apparatus used in the present embodiment. The optical recording device 1b of FIG. 2 uses a timer 12 instead of the temperature sensor 8 of the device 1a of FIG. The timer 12 outputs a signal to the control circuit 10 every time a predetermined time elapses. The control circuit 10 includes a timer 12
When a signal indicating the elapse of a predetermined time has been received from the memory 7, the test pattern data is read from the memory 7 and the test pattern data is sent to the modulation circuit 6 to start the test recording operation. Other operations are the same as those of the optical recording apparatus 1 shown in FIG.
Same as a.

In this embodiment, a description will be given of a direct overwriteable magneto-optical recording medium using a recording method of modulating a light intensity to a multi-level among recording media for recording information by irradiating light. In direct overwrite, a low-power and high-power laser beam is irradiated. Old information is erased by irradiating a low-power laser beam, and new information is simultaneously recorded by irradiating a high-power laser beam modulated according to information to be newly recorded. In particular, when the low power is not sufficient (too low), old information is not erased and new information is not recorded correctly. Since test recording is a process for finding the optimum power for recording or the permissible recording power, if correct power cannot be obtained, it will cause a reduction in reliability.

The optical disk 2 is not limited to a magneto-optical medium, but may be a phase change medium capable of direct overwriting. Optical disk 2 used in this embodiment
Is divided into a plurality of generally concentric regions called zones, and the recording frequency differs depending on the zone. The recording frequency is higher in the outer zone. Test recording is performed for each of these zones, and the optimum light intensity for recording information is determined. Therefore, in the recordable area of the optical disc 2, a test recording area is provided for each zone in order to determine recording conditions.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the optical recording method of this embodiment. In a predetermined area of the optical disk 2 used in the present embodiment, information on a standard recording beam intensity (standard recording beam intensity) in each zone is recorded in advance. In each zone of the optical disc 2, a test recording area is provided. The magneto-optical disk is mounted on the recording device 1a or 1b, and the optical disk 2 is rotated by the spindle motor 3. Then, by moving the optical head 5 in the radial direction, the irradiation position of the light beam 4 is moved to the predetermined area, and information on the standard recording beam intensity is read. This is the optical head 5,
The data can be read using the reproduction circuit 9.

In a predetermined area of the optical disk 2, information such as the type of the disk may be recorded instead of the information of the standard recording beam intensity. Information such as the type of the disc may be read, and the standard recording beam intensity may be set according to the information. Next, the optical head 5 is moved in the radial direction to move the irradiation position of the light beam 4 to the test recording area. The control circuit 10 reads the data of the test pattern from the memory 7 (Step 201 in FIG. 3). The test pattern is sent to the modulation circuit 6, and the beam intensity (recording power) during test recording is set (step 20 in FIG. 3).
2). Then, control is performed such that a test pattern is recorded a plurality of times in each test recording area while changing the beam intensity in a recording area provided in each zone (FIG. 3, step 203).

The method of changing the beam intensity at this time is based on the following. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing how to change the beam intensity. First, recording is performed on the test pattern by setting the standard recording beam intensity (the intensity indicated by reference numeral (1)).
Thereafter, recording is performed by setting the standard recording beam intensity (1) as a center value and alternately setting higher intensity and lower intensity alternately. Intensities (2), (3), (4),..., (8), (9) are gradually changed from the standard recording beam intensity to an intensity apart from the standard recording beam intensity.

In each test recording area, recording is performed by changing the beam intensity as described above. After recording, the optical head 5 is moved to the test recording area again to reproduce the recorded test pattern. The reproduction signal is transmitted to the control circuit 1 via the reproduction circuit 9.
0, and the control circuit 10 determines the optimum recording beam intensity in the zone to which the test recording area belongs (FIG. 3).
Step 205).

Here, there are several methods for determining the optimum recording beam intensity. For example, first, a test pattern demodulated from a reproduced signal obtained by reproducing the recorded test pattern is compared with the recorded test pattern and the reproduced signal. Then, as it deviates from the optimum recording beam intensity,
Since the recording is not performed properly, the shape of the mark recorded on the optical disc 2 is not optimal, and the reproduction signal becomes inaccurate. Therefore, the recording pattern does not match the pattern demodulated from the reproduced signal.

In the case of overwrite optical recording,
As the recording mark deviates from the optimum recording beam intensity, the recording mark before overwriting does not completely disappear and remains after overwriting, so that the recording pattern does not match the pattern demodulated from the reproduction signal. That is, in any case, it is detected as a data error (error). Therefore, the optimum recording beam intensity is set to the center value of the beam intensity range where no error is detected.

Second, when recording a test pattern, of the marks used for recording information, a pattern in which the shortest mark is repeated and then the longest mark is repeated is recorded and reproduced, and the reproduction signal level corresponding to the shortest mark is repeated. Of the reproduction signal level corresponding to the repetition of the longest mark, that is, the offset amount is detected. Then, the recording beam intensity at which the offset amount becomes zero is set as the optimum recording beam intensity.

According to the first and second methods described above, the optimum recording beam intensity is set for each recording zone and stored in a storage device (for example, the memory 7) in the recording device. In addition,
It is desirable to perform test recording for each recording zone,
In an optical disc having many recording zones, it takes too much time to perform test recording in all zones. Therefore, test recording may be performed in several recording zones, and the optimum recording beam intensity in a zone where test recording is not performed may be estimated based on the result.

Thereafter, the recording device performs a recording operation at the obtained optimum recording beam intensity. Alternatively, a reproducing operation is performed (step 206 in FIG. 3). Next, in order to cope with a change in the environmental temperature, every time a predetermined time elapses (when the recording device 1b is used), or when the environmental temperature is measured and a predetermined amount of change is detected (the recording device 1a If used, test recording is performed again in step 207 in FIG. At this time, the beam intensity at the time of performing test recording is determined based on the optimum recording beam intensity obtained by the previous test recording. Therefore, the data of the optimum recording beam intensity obtained last time is read (step 208 in FIG. 3). Then, the beam intensity for test recording is set based on the data (step 209 in FIG. 3). At this time, it is not necessary to change the beam intensity at the time of performing the test recording in a wider range than at the time of the first test recording described with reference to FIG.
It is sufficient to set a recording beam intensity range that covers only the vicinity of the previous optimum value and the vicinity thereof, and select the recording beam intensity from the intensity range at equal intervals.

Test recording is performed again at the beam intensity set as described above (step 210 in FIG. 3). Then, the optimum recording beam intensity is obtained in the same manner as the previous time (step 211 in FIG. 3). The obtained optimum recording beam intensity is stored in the memory 7. Since it is only necessary to perform test recording with a narrower range of beam intensity than the previous time, the number of recordings can be reduced, and the time required for one test recording can be greatly reduced. As a whole, the data transfer speed increases.

The reason why the test recording is reliably performed by this method is considered as follows. That is, the fluctuation of the recording sensitivity of the optical disk due to the change of the environmental temperature is sufficiently smaller than the recording sensitivity of the plurality of optical disks and the variation of the recording beam intensity of the plural recording devices. For this reason, there is a very high probability that the optimum recording beam intensity obtained by the new test recording is near the previous optimum recording beam intensity. Accordingly, if the optimum recording beam intensity obtained by the previous test recording is set as the center value (initial value) of the beam intensity at the time of the test recording, a recording beam intensity range covering only the vicinity of this value is set. A new optimum recording beam intensity exists with a very high probability. That is, test recording can be performed without any problem by this method.

As a method of changing the recording beam intensity at the time of test recording, as shown in FIG. 4, the optimum recording beam intensity obtained by the previous test recording is used as a center value.
If the values on the larger side and the smaller side are alternately and gradually changed so as to largely fluctuate, test recording is performed in order from the last optimal recording beam intensity in the order of the previous optimal recording beam intensity. It is possible to determine the beam intensity.

The initial value (center value) used for the test recording is not only the last time but also the optimum recording beam intensity obtained by the test recording performed earlier, for example, two or three times before. Can sufficiently satisfy the object of the present invention. Also, in the case of light intensity modulation overwrite recording, this method can efficiently achieve high level PH.
And the low level PL, it is possible to obtain the optimum binary recording beam intensity.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a procedure (how to change) the binary recording beam intensity at the time of test recording on the optical modulation overwrite recording medium. In FIG. 5, the X axis represents PH and the Y axis represents PL. The combination of the optimum recording beam intensities (PHD, PLD) obtained in the previous test recording is used as the combination of the initial values (the center value indicated by (1) in the figure).
Assuming that a combination of binary values is a position on coordinates, (1)
(2) (3)... May be changed in order. That is, test recording is performed in the order of (1), (2), (3),.

By performing the test recording in this manner, it is possible to efficiently determine the optimum combination of the recording beam intensities. Even in this case, it is needless to say that the object of the present invention can be sufficiently satisfied not only by the last time but also by the optimum recording beam intensity obtained by the test recording performed earlier. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the configuration of an autochanger device (also called a jukebox) for a magneto-optical disk. In this apparatus, a plurality of magneto-optical disks 41 are set. A plurality of magneto-optical disk drive devices 42 are provided. As this magneto-optical disk drive device, the same one as the optical recording device of FIG. 1 or 2 is used. Further, a transport section 43 and a transport mechanism 44 controlled by a power supply section and a control section 45 are provided. The transport unit 43 extracts and holds one of the magneto-optical disks 41. Then, the transport unit 43 is moved vertically by the transport mechanism 44 to the position of one of the magneto-optical disk drives 42, and the magneto-optical disk 41 held in the insertion opening of the magneto-optical disk drive 42 is moved. Insert

The transport section 43 moves to the position of one of the magneto-optical disk drives 42, removes the magneto-optical disk inserted into the magneto-optical disk drive 42, and uses the magneto-optical disk as a source. Return to the place where it was set from. By such an operation, a plurality of magneto-optical disks can be transported to a plurality of drives, or the magneto-optical disk can be returned to an original position and another disk can be transported to a drive.

In this apparatus, a magneto-optical disk is transported and inserted into a drive device in response to a request from an external control device such as a computer. In the drive device (optical recording device), when a disc is inserted, test recording is performed to determine an optimum recording beam intensity, and then recording is performed based thereon, and reproduction is performed by irradiation with a reproduction beam.

Here, the optimum recording beam intensity in the drive device (optical recording device) depends on the variation in the recording sensitivity between the respective magneto-optical disks and the variation in the temperature of the respective magneto-optical disks. In the case of this device, since a plurality of disks are set in the same device, the temperature variation between the disks is small. Therefore, it mainly depends on the variation of the recording sensitivity between the magneto-optical disks. Therefore, since the temperature variation of the disk is small, the setting of the recording beam intensity range at the time of test recording can be further narrowed in the case of an autochanger device.

For example, when a disk inserted in a drive device in an autochanger device is replaced and another disk is inserted, test recording for obtaining an optimum recording beam intensity is performed. At this time, instead of reading the standard recording beam intensity and determining the beam intensity range of the test recording, the optimal recording beam intensity value obtained in the previous test recording (that is, the optimal recording beam intensity for the previously inserted disc) The value of the recording beam intensity is read from the memory 7, and the beam intensity range of the test recording is determined based on the value.The method of determining the beam intensity range and the optimal recording beam intensity value are described in the second and subsequent test recordings. In this case, the time required for test recording when the disk is replaced can be reduced.

Therefore, by applying the method of the above embodiment to an autochanger device, the time for test recording can be further reduced. According to the optical recording method described above, the time required for test recording can be reduced, and even when a temperature change or the like occurs, an appropriate recording power can be set.

[0045]

As described above, according to the present invention,
It is possible to provide an optical recording method in which the time required for test recording is reduced and the data transfer speed is substantially high.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of an optical recording apparatus used for an optical recording method according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing another example of the configuration of an optical recording apparatus used in the optical recording method according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating an optical recording method according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing a procedure for setting a recording beam intensity during test recording in the optical recording method according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing a procedure for setting a binary recording beam intensity during test recording on an optical modulation overwrite recording medium in the optical recording method according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a configuration of an autochanger device.

[Description of Signs] 1a, 1b ··· optical recording device, 2 ··· optical disk, 3 ···
Spindle motor, 4 ... light beam, 5 ... light head,
6 ··· Modulation circuit, 7 ·· Memory, 8 ·· Temperature sensor, 9
..Regeneration circuits, 10..Control circuits, 11..Operation circuits,
12. Timer.

Claims (7)

[Claims] In an optical recording method for recording information on an optical recording medium, when a recording beam intensity is obtained by test recording, a recording beam intensity range including a recording beam intensity value obtained by a previous or previous test recording is included. And a test recording is performed by selecting a recording beam intensity from the intensity range. 2. The optical recording method according to claim 1, wherein the recording beam intensity range is an intensity range centered on a recording beam intensity value obtained by a previous or previous test recording. 3. An optical recording method for recording information on an optical recording medium, wherein when a recording beam intensity is obtained by test recording, a recording beam intensity range including a recording beam intensity value obtained by a previous test recording is set. An optical recording method, wherein test recording is performed by selecting a recording beam intensity from the intensity range. The recording beam intensity is sequentially set so that the deviation from the initial value gradually increases with the recording beam intensity value obtained by the previous or previous test recording as an initial value. 3. The optical recording method according to claim 2, wherein: 5. An optical recording method for recording information on an optical recording medium, wherein when the recording beam intensity of a new optical recording medium is determined by test recording after exchanging the optical recording medium, the test recording performed last time or before is performed. An optical recording method comprising: setting a recording beam intensity range including the recording beam intensity value obtained by (1), selecting a recording beam intensity from the intensity range, and performing test recording. 6. The optical recording medium according to claim 1, wherein the optical recording medium is an optical recording medium that performs overwrite recording by modulating a recording beam intensity to at least two levels of a high level and a low level. Recording method. 7. An optical recording method for recording information by irradiating a recording medium with light, wherein test recording is performed on the recording medium while sequentially changing the irradiating light intensity, and a medium is recorded based on the test recording result. Finding an appropriate light intensity capable of normal recording on the recording medium, holding the information on the appropriate light intensity in a predetermined location of the recording medium or the recording device, and performing the next test recording. An optical recording method, wherein test recording is performed with light intensity based on information on light intensity.