US4579798A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Amorphous silicon and germanium photoconductive member containing carbon
Assignee: Canon Inc
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Filing: 1984-09-06
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Granted: 1986-04-01
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Expires: 2004-09-06
Abstract
Abstract A photoconductive member comprises a support for a photoconductive member and a light receiving layer constituted of a first layer region (G) comprising an amorphous material containing silicon atoms and germanium atoms and a second layer region (S) comprising an amorphous material containing silicon atoms and exhibiting photoconductivity, the first layer region (G) and the second layer region (S) being provided in the mentioned order on the support, the distribution of germanium atoms in the first layer region (G) being ununiform in the direction of layer thickness, and carbon atoms being contained in the light receiving layer. A photoconductive member comprises a support for a photoconductive member and a light receiving layer comprising a first layer constituted of a first layer region (G) comprising an amorphous material containing silicon atoms and germanium atoms and a second layer region (S) comprising an amorphous material containing silicon atoms and exhibiting photoconductivity, the first layer region (G) and the second layer region (S) being provided in the mentioned order on the support, and a second layer comprising an amorphous material containing silicon atoms as the matrix and at least one of nitrogen atoms and oxygen atoms, the distribution of germanium atoms in the first layer region (G) being ununiform in the direction of layer thickness, and carbon atoms being contained in the first layer.
Inventors
- 👤 Keishi Saitoh
- 👤 Yukihiko Ohnuki
- 👤 Shigeru Ohno
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 09:01
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03G; G03G5/00; G03G5/02; G03G5/04; G03G5/08; G03G5/082; G03G5/08214; G03G5/08221; G03G5/08228; G03G5/08235; G03G5/08242
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 64
Claim 1
Independent Claim
130 words
A photoconductive member which comprises a support for a photoconductive member and a light receiving layer constituted of a first layer region (G) comprising an amorphous material containing silicon atoms germanium atoms and at least one of hydrogen atoms and halogen atoms and a second layer region (S) comprising an amorphours material containing silicon atoms and at least one of hydrogen atoms and halogen atoms and exhibiting photoconductivity, the first layer region (G) and the second layer region (S) being provided in sequence on the support, germanium atoms being contained in the first layer region (G) in such a nonuniform distribution state that germanium atoms are enriched at the support side, and carbon atoms being contained in the light receiving layer in an amount of 0.001 to 50 atomic %.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
130 words
A photoconductive member which comprises a support for a photoconductive member and a light receiving layer constituted of a first layer region (G) comprising an amorphous material containing silicon atoms germanium atoms and at least one of hydrogen atoms and halogen atoms and a second layer region (S) comprising an amorphours material containing silicon atoms and at least one of hydrogen atoms and halogen atoms and exhibiting photoconductivity, the first layer region (G) and the second layer region (S) being provided in sequence on the support, germanium atoms being contained in the first layer region (G) in such a nonuniform distribution state that germanium atoms are enriched at the support side, and carbon atoms being contained in the light receiving layer in an amount of 0.001 to 50 atomic %.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
29 words
A photoconductive member according to claim 1 in which hydrogen atoms are contained in at least one of the first layer region (G) and the second layer region (S).
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
29 words
A photoconductive member according to claim 1 in which halogen atoms are contained in at least one of the first layer region (G) and the second layer region (S).
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
32 words
A photoconductive member according to claim 1 in which the first distribution of germanium atoms in the first layer region (G) is such that germanium atoms are enriched at the substrate side.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
32 words
A photoconductive member according to claim 1 in which hydrogen atoms and halogen atoms are contained in at least one of the first layer region (G) and the second layer region (S).
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
32 words
A photoconductive member according to claim 1 in which a substance for controlling conductivity is contained in at least one of the first layer region (G) and the second layer region (S).
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
29 words
A photoconductive member according to claim 6 in which hydrogen atoms are contained in at least one of the first layer region (G) and the second layer region (S).
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
29 words
A photoconductive member according to claim 6 in which halogen atoms are contained in at least one of the first layer region (G) and the second layer region (S).
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
32 words
A photoconductive member according to claim 6 in which hydrogen atoms and halogen atoms are contained in at least one of the first layer region (G) and the second layer region (S).
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
31 words
A photoconductive member according to claim 6 in which the distribution of germanium atoms in the first layer region (G) is such that germanium atoms are enriched at the substrate side.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
25 words
A photoconductive member according to claim 6 in which the substance for controlling conductivity is an atom belonging to Group III of the Periodic Table.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
25 words
A photoconductive member according to claim 6 in which the substance for controlling conductivity is an atom belonging to Group V of the Periodic Table.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
142 words
A photoconductive member which comprises a support for a photoconductive member and a light receiving layer comprising a first layer constituted of a first layer region (G) comprising an amorphous material containing silicon atoms, germanium atoms and at least one of hydrogen atoms and halogen atoms and a second layer region (S) comprising an amorphous material containing silicon atoms and at least one of hydrogen atoms and halogen atoms and exhibiting photoconductivity, the first layer region (G) and the second layer region (S) being provided in sequence on the support, and a second layer comprising an amorphous material containing silicon atoms as the matrix and at least one of nitrogen atoms and oxygen atoms, the distribution of germanium atoms in the first layer region (G) being ununiform in the direction of layer thickness, and carbon atoms being contained in the first layer.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
142 words
A photoconductive member which comprises a support for a photoconductive member and a light receiving layer comprising a first layer constituted of a first layer region (G) comprising an amorphous material containing silicon atoms, germanium atoms and at least one of hydrogen atoms and halogen atoms and a second layer region (S) comprising an amorphous material containing silicon atoms and at least one of hydrogen atoms and halogen atoms and exhibiting photoconductivity, the first layer region (G) and the second layer region (S) being provided in sequence on the support, and a second layer comprising an amorphous material containing silicon atoms as the matrix and at least one of nitrogen atoms and oxygen atoms, the distribution of germanium atoms in the first layer region (G) being ununiform in the direction of layer thickness, and carbon atoms being contained in the first layer.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
29 words
A photoconductive member according to claim 13 in which hydrogen atoms are contained in at least one of the first layer region (G) and the second layer region (S).
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
29 words
A photoconductive member according to claim 13 in which halogen atoms are contained in at least one of the first layer region (G) and the seocnd layer region (S).
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
31 words
A photoconductive member according to claim 13 in which hydrogen atoms and halogen atoms are contained in at least one of the first layer region (G) and the second layer region(S).
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
31 words
A photoconductive member according to claim 13 in which the distribution of germanium atoms in the first layer region (G) is such that germanium atoms are enriched at the substrate side.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
32 words
A photoconductive member according to claim 13 in which a substance for controlling conductivity is contained in at least one of the first layer region (G) and the second layer region (S).
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
29 words
A photoconductive member according to claim 18 in which hydrogen atoms are contained in at least one of the first layer region (G) and the second layer region (S).
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
29 words
A photoconductive member according to claim 18 in which halogen atoms are contained in at least one of the first layer region (G) and the second layer region (S).
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
32 words
A photoconductive member according to claim 18 in which hydrogen atoms and halogen atoms are contained in at least one of the first layer region (G) and the second layer region (S).
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
31 words
A photoconductive member according to claim 18 in which the distribution of germanium atoms in the first layer region (G) is such that germanium atoms are enriched at the substrate side.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
24 words
A photoconductive member according to claim 18 in which the substance for controlling conductivity is an atom of Group III of the Periodic Table.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
24 words
A photoconductive member according to claim 18 in which the substance for controlling conductivity is an atom of Group V of the Periorid Table.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
24 words
A photoconductive member according to claim 1 in which the amount of carbon atoms contained in the light receiving layer is 0.001-50 atomic %.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
23 words
A photoconductive member according to claim 13 in which the amount of carbon atoms contained in the first layer is 0.001-50 atomic %.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
25 words
A photoconductive member according to claim 1 in which the content of germanium atoms in the first layer region (G) is 1-9.5×10 5 atomic ppm.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
21 words
A photoconductive member according to claim 1 in which the layer thickness of the first layer region (G) is 30 Å-50μ.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
20 words
A photoconductive member according to claim 1 in which the layer thickness of the second layer region (S) is 0.5-90μ.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
19 words
A photoconductive member according to claim 1 in which the layer thickness of the light receiving layer is 1-100μ.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
18 words
A photoconductive member according to claim 13 in which the layer thickness of the first layer is 1-100μ.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
24 words
A photoconductive member according to claim 2 in which the content of hydrogen atoms in the first layer region (G) is 0.01-40 atomic %.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
24 words
A photoconductive member according to claim 3 in which the content of halogen atoms in the first layer region (G) is 0.01-40 atomic %.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
27 words
A photoconductive member according to claim 5 in which the content of hydrogen atoms and halogen atoms in the first layer region (G) is 0.01-40 atomic %.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
24 words
A photoconductive member according to claim 2 in which the content of hydrogen atoms in the second layer region (S) is 1-40 atomic %.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
24 words
A photoconductive member according to claim 3 in which the content of halogen atoms in the second layer region (S) is 1-40 atomic %.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
27 words
A photoconductive member according to claim 5 in which the content of hydrogen atoms and halogen atoms in the second layer region (S) is 1-40 atomic %
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
22 words
A photoconductive member according to claim 6 in which the content of the substance for controlling conductivity is 0.01-5×10 4 atomic ppm.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
25 words
A photoconductive member according to claim 1 in which the light receiving layer has a layer region (PN) containing a substance (C) for controlling conductivity.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
24 words
A photoconductive member according to claim 13 in which the first layer has a layer region (PN) containing a substance (C) for controlling conductivity.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
29 words
A photoconductive member according to claim 39 in which the amount of the substance (C) for controlling conductivity contained in the layer region (PN) is 0.01-5×10 4 atomic ppm.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
54 words
A photoconductive member according to claim 39 in which there is contained in a layer region (Z) other than the layer region (PN) a substance (C) for controlling conductivity characteristics which has a polarity of conductivity type opposite to that of the substance (C) for controlling conductivity characteristics contained in the layer region (PN).
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
35 words
A photoconductive member according to claim 42 in which the amount of the substance (C) contained in the layer region (Z) is less than that of the substance (C) contained in the layer region (PN).
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
25 words
A photoconductive member according to claim 42 in which the content of the substance (C) contained in the layer region (Z) us 0.001-1000 atomic ppm.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
18 words
A photoconductive member according to claim 13 in which the layer thickness of the second layer is 0.003-30μ.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
17 words
A photoconductive membre according to claim 13 in which hydrogen atoms are contained in the second layer.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
17 words
A photoconductive member according to claim 13 in which halogen atoms are contained in the second layer.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
20 words
A photoconductive member according to claim 13 in which hydrogen atoms and halogen atoms are contained in the second layer.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
25 words
A photoconductive member according to claim 13 in which the content of germanium atoms in the first layer region (G) is 1-9.5×10 5 atomic ppm.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
21 words
A photoconductive member according to claim 13 in which the layer thickness of the first layer region (G) is 30 Å-50μ.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
19 words
A photoconductive member according to claim 13 in which the layer thickness of the second layer region(S) is 0.5-90μ.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
24 words
A photoconductive member according to claim 14 in which the content of hydrogen atoms in the first layer region (G) is 0.01-40 atomic %.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
24 words
A photoconductive member according to claim 15 in which the content of halogen atoms in the first layer region (G) is 0.01-40 atomic %.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
27 words
A photoconductive member according to claim 16 in which the content of hydrogen atoms and halogen atoms in the first layer region (G) is 0.01-40 atomic %.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
24 words
A photoconductive member according to claim 14 in which the content of hydrogen atoms in the second layer region (S) is 1-40 atomic %.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim
24 words
A photoconductive member according to claim 15 in which the content of halogen atoms in the second layer region (S) is 1-40 atomic %.
Claim 59
Dependent Claim
27 words
A photoconductive member according to claim 16 in which the content of hydrogen atoms and halogen atoms in the second layer region (S) is 1-40 atomic %
Claim 60
Dependent Claim
22 words
A photoconductive member according to claim 18 in which the content of the substance for controlling conductivity is 0.01-5×10 4 atomic ppm.
Claim 61
Dependent Claim
29 words
A photoconductive member according to claim 40 in which the amount of the substance (C) for controlling conductivity contained in the layer region (PN) is 0.01-5×10 4 atomic ppm.
Claim 62
Dependent Claim
54 words
A photoconductive member according to claim 40 in which there is contained in a layer region (Z) other than the layer region (PN) a substance (C) for controlling conductivity characteristics which has a polarity of conductivity type opposite to that of the substance (C) for controlling conductivity characteristics contained in the layer region (PN).
Claim 63
Dependent Claim
21 words
A photoconductive member according to claim 1, wherein the distribution state of carbon atoms is nonuniform in the layer thickness direction.
Claim 64
Dependent Claim
21 words
A photoconductive member according to claim 13, wherein the distribution state of carbon atoms is nonuniform in the layer thickness direction.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1989-03-31 | 1989-09-30 | 1990-04-01 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1993-03-31 | 1993-09-30 | 1994-04-01 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1997-03-31 | 1997-09-30 | 1998-04-01 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |