Developing device having surface microfields for an image forming apparatus

摘要

A developing device incorporated in an image forming apparatus and having a developing roller or similar image carrier for transporting a developer to a photoconductive element or similar image carrier to develop an electrostatic latent image formed on the image carrier. The developing roller is configured to form microfields on the surface thereof. An alternating voltage is applied to the developing roller as a bias voltage for development to thereby deposit a non-magnetic toner on the surface of the roller. Silica particles are admixed with the toner. The developing device is operable with an adequate developing bias at all times.