Abstract
This paper describes a new method for measuring the charge-to-mass ratio q/m of a spherical toner particle. Forces which act on this particle put on the gap space of the parallel electrodes consist of the following three components: adhesion, gravity and Coulomb forces. By the movement of the toner particle under these conditions, the charge-to-mass ratio q/m is calculated by the formula 2gd/(V1-V2), where V1, V2, d and g are the voltage applied across parallel (upper and lower) electrodes in the case that the toner particle put on the lower electrode is lifted toward the upper one, the voltage in the case that the toner particle is backed again to the lower one, the air gap distance between the two electrodes and the acceleration of gravity, respectively. This technique is very simple and accurate in comparison with the traditional one, though its application is limited to spherical toner particles.
