Photoinduced discharge characteristics of xerographic photoreceptors

The light-induced discharge characteristics of xero-graphic photoreceptors are studied both theoretically and experimentally, using amorphous films of Se and PVK poly(N-vinyl carbazole). In addition to the dependence of the discharge rate on quantum efficiency, trapping, and transit-time effects, several new variables are considered theoretically, including the electric-field dependence and the sublinear light-intensity dependence of the carrier generation mechanism. This new theory provides the capability of computing the discharge characteristics of model xero-graphic photoreceptors. Parameters such as quantum efficiency, mobility, thickness, and dielectric constant can be varied in the calculation and their effect on the discharge characteristic can be studied. Applications of the results to the study of practical xero-graphic photoreceptors are also presented.