Glow-like atmospheric pressure micro-discharges produced by charge rollers

摘要

Conductive charge rollers (CR) are used in print engines for surface charging of the cylindrical photoconductor (PC) at atmospheric pressure. The charging process is essentially a dielectric-barrier-discharge (DBD). Microplasmas are produced in the narrowing gap between the CR and PC, which then charges the PC. The streamer-like plasmas can be terminated by surface charging of the PC if operated with a dc or quasi-dc voltage on the CR. From a practical matter, the surfaces of both the CR and PC are rotating. The rotation of the PC brings in uncharged surface which reestablishes the voltage between the CR and PC, and re-ignites the plasma. As a result, a periodic charging pattern on the PC surface may be formed. Under certain operating conditions, a glow-like discharge was simulated in the CR and a quasi-dc current was collected on the PC surface. These behaviors and the uniformity of surface charging are sensitive to the speed of the PC and applied voltage.