Charged particle modulator device and improved imaging methods for use thereof

摘要

The invention is an improved modulator, in the form of a screen, having the capability of selectively passing therethrough charged particles, such as gas ions, in accordance with a pattern that corresponds to the image and non-image areas of a graphic original. The apertured modulator is formed from a metal screen, such as a 200 mesh wire screen, having a wire cross section of 0.051 millimeter and is overcoated with a four-micron thickness of a photoconductor, such as selenium or an organic photoconductor, over which is next applied an equal thickness of an insulating layer, such as polystyrene. The three- layered modulator constructed in this manner is imparted a charge pattern corresponding to the graphic subject to be reproduced by the creation of a charge distribution system (CDS) on the insulating surface. The CDS created on the modulator in the environment of this invention is completely passive to electromagnetic radiation. The modulator is placed between an emission electrode and collection electrode to selectively pass therethrough gas ions to be received onto a dielectric surface in a charge pattern corresponding to the graphic subject from which the charge distribution system was created on the insulating layer. P PThe technique and procedure whereby such a developable charge image is created on a dielectric material, such as a sheet of paper, involves disposing the modulator, bearing its charge distribution system, in the environment of an arrangement of electrodes which includes a corona emission electrode juxtaposed with the metal side of the modulator for creating gas ions in air which are directed into the apertures of the modulator and a collection electrode disposed on the side opposite facing and immediately juxtaposed with the insulating surface for directing the ions toward a sheet of dielectric paper in contact with the collecting electrode.