The present invention provides a thermal recording material having a thermosensitive layer comprising single phase diffuser polymer particles. Each of the diffuser polymer particles has a refractive index at the center thereof (RIcenter) different from a refractive index at the surface thereof (RIsurface), and a continuous refractive index gradient, sometimes referred to as GRIN technology. The diffuser polymer particles may have a RIcenter of from 1.46 to 1.61 and a particle size of 0.85 to 15 microns. Additionally, the thermal recording material of the present invention may also include heat deformable particles and a binder.The present invention also provides a method for providing an image by subjecting selected portions of a recording material such as that described above to a physical agent selected from the group consisting of heat, pressure, and combinations thereof, sufficient to reduce the opacity of said selected portions.