1. CD-R discs use a dye layer that is burned by a laser to record data permanently. Cyanine dye was earliest and most sensitive, while phthalocyanine and azo dyes are more stable.
2. Data is recorded in sessions with options like disc-at-once or track-at-once. Higher capacity discs of 90/99 minutes exist but require overburn software.
3. The pregrooved polycarbonate disc contains a dye layer and reflective metal coating, allowing permanent laser writing of data in the spiral groove pattern.