Direct charge readout electron-radiography chamber
AssigneeXonics, Inc.
InventorsJohn B. Fenn, Jr, Murray S. Welkowsky
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A photo-optical imaging system suitable for use in an electronradiography system which produces an electrostatic charge image at an electrode. An electrode having a photoconductor layer and a transparent electrical conducting layer, with the charge image at the photoconductor layer. A light beam and various arrangements for scanning the beam over the photoconductor layer through the transparent layer for selectively transferring charge to the electrically conducting layer through the photoconductor layer as portions of the photoconductor layer are illuminated by the beam, and a data storage unit for receiving and storing data corresponding to the magnitude of charge at the photoconductor layer.
Claims17
In a system for readout of an electrostatic charge pattern and having an electrode and means for forming an electrostatic charge image on said electrode,
- the improvement wherein said electrode includes a first photoconductor layer for receiving the electrostatic charge and being selectively switchable from a first electrical non-conducting state to a second electrical conducting state by exposure to light, with said first layer returning to said first state when light exposure is discontinued, and a second electrical conducting, optically transparent layer,
- and including:
- means for scanning a photoconductor switching light beam over said first layer through said second layer;
- and
- means connecting said second layer to storage means for storing data corresponding to the magnitude of charge at points on said electrode which charge is selectively transferred to said second layer through said first layer as said first layer is illuminated by said light beam and switched to said second conducting state.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.