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Will Laser Diode’s be the Next Light Source for Headlights?
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Laser Diode Headlights
In a lot of the new cars we see on the road today the use of LED headlights are becoming more and more prevalent. The LED light source provides a much brighter and clearer light than that of older bulb headlights. It seems as thought LED headlights haven’t been around for that long and already engineers are looking to an even more efficient source of headlights for tomorrow’s automobiles.
BMW sees laser diodes as being the next thing in headlights and a step better than LED headlights. As we see more hybrid and electric cars being produced engineers are trying to cut back on energy use everywhere else in the car in order to ensure a longer battery life for the running motor. One of the ways BMW has developed to do this is by using diode lasers for headlights.
While LED lights produce 100 lumens per watt, diode lasers produce and amazing 170 lumens per watt. When this technology is utilized in hybrid and electric cars less energy will have to be pulled from the electric motor and greatly increase the amount of driving life of the motor battery. Laser diodes appear to be a great idea for a new headlight source.
To make laser diode’s safe to use for headlights BMW is filtering the laser through a florescent phosphor material which will turn the normally blue color of a laser diode to a white color and will lessen any harmful effects to the standard of LED headlights. Laser diode headlight will also offer a unique quality in the way of looks as well. Because the laser diode headlights would be very small in size so instead of having a large round glass piece the headlights could be installed in the grill of the car and would remain hidden when not in use.