Photoconductive imaging apparatus

An imaging apparatus comprising:

• an optical system for forming an optical image;
• a photoconductive region for converting the optical image into charge carriers, wherein the photoconductive region includes an amorphous semiconductor region in which charge multiplication of the charge carriers is induced, the amorphous semiconductor region mainly comprising silicon carbide;
• means for applying an electric field to the photoconductive region, wherein said means for applying an electric field is a means for applying a sufficiently large electric field so as to induce the charge multiplication of the charge carriers in the photoconductive region;
• and
• means for converting charge carriers into a signal conforming to predetermined standards for processing.

An imaging apparatus comprising:

• an optical system for forming an optical image;
• a photoconductive region for converting the optical image into charge carriers, wherein the photoconductive region includes an amorphous semiconductor region in which charge multiplication of the charge carriers is induced, and wherein a material forming hole traps is provided in the amorphous semiconductor region;
• means for applying an electric field to the photoconductive region, wherein said means for applying an electric field is a means for applying a sufficiently large electric field so as to induce the charge multiplication of the charge carriers in the photoconductive region;
• and
• means for converting charge carriers into a signal conforming to predetermined standards for processing.

An imaging apparatus comprising:

• an optical system for forming an optical image;
• a photoconductive region for converting the optical image into charge carriers, wherein the photoconductive region includes an amorphous semiconductor region in which charge multiplication of the charge carriers is induced, and wherein the amorphous semiconductor region includes at least one element selected from the group consisting of Te, Sb, Cd and Bi;
• means for applying an electric field to the photoconductive region, wherein said means for applying an electric field is a means for applying a sufficiently large electric field so as to induce the charge multiplication of the charge carriers in the photoconductive region;
• and
• means for converting charger carriers into a signal conforming to predetermined standards for processing.

An imaging apparatus comprising:

• an optical system for forming an optical image;
• a photoconductive region for converting the optical image into charge carriers;
• an optical carrier generation layer, for generating carriers upon absorption of incident light, provided adjacent the photoconductive region;
• means for applying an electric field to the photoconductive region, wherein said means for applying an electric field is a means for applying a sufficiently large electric field so as to induce charge multiplication of the charge carriers in the photoconductive region;
• and
• means for converting charge carriers into a signal conforming to predetermined standards for processing.