An improved light-readable information recording medium is provided that comprises an optical data storage structure having lands and pits, in which the depth of the pits is about: λ 2 ⁢ n ⁢ m 1 + M T 2 , wherein λ is the wavelength of light used to read the information recording medium, m is the order of interference selected from a group consisting of odd integers, MT is the transverse magnification, and n is the refractive index encountered by the reading light inside the pits. The invention also provides an improved optical reading system with the parameters satisfying the relationship: nd = λ 2 ⁢ n ⁢ m 1 + M T 2 , wherein λ is the wavelength of light used to read the information recording medium, m is the order of interference selected from a group consisting of odd integers, MT is the transverse magnification, n is the refractive index encountered by the reading light inside the pits, and d is the depth of the pits.