elektrofotografischen

Elektrofotografie, often referred to in English as electrophotography, is a method of image formation based on electrostatic charges on a photoconductive surface. In a typical electrophotographic cycle, the surface is charged uniformly, then exposed to light that encodes the intended image; light-exposed areas lose charge, creating a latent electrostatic image. The latent image is developed by applying a fine powder toner that adheres to the charged regions, producing a visible representation. This toner image is transferred to paper or another substrate and fused by heat to form a durable copy.

The technique was developed in the 1930s by Chester Carlson and was commercialized in the 1950s by Xerox, which popularized modern copying and later laser printing. The term electrophography or electrophotography encompasses a family of related processes and materials, including different photoconductors (selenium and organic photoconductors) and toner chemistries, as well as variations in development and transfer methods. Early systems used liquid developers or dry toners, while contemporary devices typically employ dry toner and solid-state laser or LED exposure.

Applications include office copying, laser printing, and multifunction devices. Key components in typical systems include a charging element (such as corona discharge devices or charge rollers), a photoconductive layer, a development subsystem, a transfer mechanism, and a fusing unit. The attributive form elektrofotografischen is used in German to describe procedures, devices, or results related to electrophotography.