organic photo conductor (laser printer) (OPC)

Organic Photo Conductor(OPC) is a photoconduction process in which a photosensitive layer becomes conductive upon exposure to light. Photoconduction is a photoelectric effect in which exposure to light changes the conductivity of the coating. In contrast, photovoltaics generate a voltage.

The effect of photoconduction is based on the generation of electron-hole pairs and thus free charge carriers.

The term organic refers to the fact that an amorphous organic semiconductor, usually amorphous silicon, is used as the photosensitive coating. The photosensitive OPC layer is non-conductive when unexposed, and becomes conductive when exposed to light.

This process is used, among other things, on image drums( PCU) in laser prin ters and color copiers to produce color prints. The term organic refers to the fact that an amorphous organic semiconductor, usually amorphous silicon, is used as the photosensitive coating. The photosensitive OPC layer is non-conductive when unexposed, but becomes conductive when exposed to light.