RECORDING SECTION
4–38
• Exposure step
A uniform negative electrical charge is on the photosensitive drum. When
the LASER beam is irradiated on the photosensitive drum in this state, the
negative electrical charge of the areas irradiated by the LASER beam
changes state in the neutralization direction (positive direction). Accord-
ingly, an electrical potential difference occurs between the areas irradiated
by the LASER beam and areas not irradiated to form an image on the pho-
tosensitive drum. Of course, this image cannot be seen by the human eye.
This invisible image is called an “electrostatic latent image,” the area on
the photosensitive drum irradiated by the LASER beam a “light area” and
the area not irradiated a “dark area.”
Fig. 4-48 Exposure
In actual fact, the negative electrical charge of the area irradiated by the
LASER beam is not completely neutralized to become “0”. This means
that the negative electrical charge becomes higher than that of the area not
irradiated by the LASER beam.
Photosensitive drum
LASER beam
Dark areas
Light areas