Abstract: Optical characteristics of dye media in compact disc-recordable were calculated by using the model of optical propagation in multilayer structure. It was indicated that the reflection oscillated due to the interaction of the light reflected from the interfaces. The magnitude and the duration of the oscillation was dependent on the complex refractive index(n+ik). To be compatible with the CD standard, the complex refractive index of recording layer must range from 2.1+i0.02 to 2.8+i0.12. This method has been successfully applied for analyzing the reflection spectra and the calculation of optical constants of three cyanine dye films. It has been realized that this method is reasonable and convenient. This method can be also used to calculate the range of dye film thickness fitting for optical recording.

Key words: cyanine dyes, compact disc recordable, optical recording, reflection spectra, optical characteristics