A system comprising an optical data recording and reproduction apparatus and a recording medium, wherein the recording medium comprises a recording layer comprising an optically active material able to induce a change in properties of the medium, and to generate a material response indicative of the changed properties, in the presence of optical radiation having a first characteristic, and wherein the change in properties, and the response indicative of changed properties, can be inhibited by optical radiation having a second characteristic: and wherein the optical data recording and reproduction apparatus comprises: a mounting configured to hold the recording medium; a first optical source configured to emit a first beam of optical radiation having the first characteristic; a first imaging system configured to focus the first beam of optical radiation emitted from the first optical source onto a region of the recording layer, wherein the first beam of optical radiation has a maximum intensity within a central portion of the first beam; a second optical source configured to emit a second beam of optical radiation having the second characteristic; a second imaging system configured to controllably focus the second beam of optical radiation emitted from the second optical source onto the region of the recording layer, wherein the second beam of optical radiation has a local intensity minimum within a central portion of the second beam of optical radiation, and a local intensity maximum in at least one portion of the second beam of optical radiation adjacent to its central portion; and a controller configured to control at least the first optical source, the first imaging system, the second optical source, and the second imaging system, so as to simultaneously irradiate the region of the recording layer with the first beam of optical radiation at a first intensity emitted from the first optical source, and with the second beam of optical radiation at a second intensity emitted from the second optical source, to selectively record or read data to or from the region of the recording layer. a mounting configured to hold the recording medium; a first optical source configured to emit a first beam of optical radiation having the first characteristic; a first imaging system configured to focus the first beam of optical radiation emitted from the first optical source onto a region of the recording layer, wherein the first beam of optical radiation has a maximum intensity within a central portion of the first beam; a second optical source configured to emit a second beam of optical radiation having the second characteristic; a second imaging system configured to controllably focus the second beam of optical radiation emitted from the second optical source onto the region of the recording layer, wherein the second beam of optical radiation has a local intensity minimum within a central portion of the second beam of optical radiation, and a local intensity maximum in at least one portion of the second beam of optical radiation adjacent to its central portion; and a controller configured to control at least the first optical source, the first imaging system, the second optical source, and the second imaging system, so as to simultaneously irradiate the region of the recording layer with the first beam of optical radiation at a first intensity emitted from the first optical source, and with the second beam of optical radiation at a second intensity emitted from the second optical source, to selectively record or read data to or from the region of the recording layer.