Electrophotography

Abstract

Abstract Electrophotographic images are formed by the displacement of matter in electric fields: the deposition of charged particles or the deformation of a plastic surface is controlled by a geometric field pattern, configured by the photo‐response of a photoconductive insulating material. Image amplification up to 10 5 may be achieved by the application of external potentials and the judicious selection of imaging particles having a high ratio of absorbance per unit charge. These particles may be ions, colloids, photoresponsive pigments, or (most commonly) colored plastic “toner” composites. Of the many processes which have been invented to date, transfer xerography remains the most useful. This paper presents a concise review of electrophotographic imaging processes and materials, as well as of some of their applications.