an electrophotographic photoreceptor comprising a conductive substrate and a photoconductive layer disposed on the conductive substrate to generate photocarriers upon light radiation . the photoconductive layer comprises a charge - generating layer and a charge - retaining layer . at least part of the charge - generating layer has a plurality of thin microcrystalline semiconductor layers containing silicon as a major constituent and at least one element selected from the group consisting of carbon , hydrogen , and nitrogen . the plurality of microcrystalline layers produce a superlattice structure . the adjacent thin microcrystalline semiconductor layers have different element concentrations . at least part of the charge - retaining layer has a first amorphous semiconductor layer containing silicon as a major constituent and a second amorphous semiconductor layer containing silicon as a major constituent , and at least one element selected from the group consisting of carbon , oxygen , and nitrogen .