| abstract |
Disclosed is a process for forming an electrostatic latent image on a recording element having a dielectric layer superposed on a conductive electrode. In the first step of this process, the recording element and a xerographic sensitive element having a photoconductive layer also superposed on a conductive electrode are charged with the same polarity. In the second step, the photosensitive element is brought into virtual contact with the recording element so that the charged surface of the photoconductive layer in the photosensitive element is in face-to-face relationship with the charged surface of the dielectric layer in the recording element. In the third step, an external voltage is imposed between the two conductive electrodes, said voltage being of at least a magnitude for producing an electric field causing breakdown of minute air-gaps present between the contacted surfaces of the photosensitive element and the recording element and, before the completion of the external voltage imposition, an optical image is projected onto the photoconductive layer in the photosensitive element. |