External radiant heater for fuser members and method of making same

This invention relates to a fusing system in an image forming system for fixing a toned image to a support member. More particularly, this invention relates to an external heating source for providing radiant thermal energy to a fuser member surface. An external heating source for a fuser member used in an image forming system includes a substrate and a ceramic-containing coating. The surface of the fuser member is heated with thermal radiation generated by an external heating source located near the surface of the fuser member. Heat is generated by a resistive radiator on the surface of the external heating source which includes a ceramic-containing material having a high resistance, such as a transition metal oxide. The external heating source can further include at least one temperature sensor for achieving and maintaining a desired temperature on the surface of the fuser member. A method of manufacturing the external heating source is also described.