A system and method record data on an optical recording medium with a recording threshold. An illumination source creates an electromagnetic radiation beam. Optics, with a pupil phase function, image the beam onto the optical recording medium. The pupil phase function modifies the phase of the beam to form an aerial image at a point on a surface of the optical recording medium. A spot of the recording medium is modified at the point when the intensity of the aerial image is above the recording threshold, the intensity of the aerial image at the spot and area of the spot being substantially constant over an extended depth of focus.