semiconductor laser headlights

[doug]

There have been articles bouncing around about this for a while, but none had any useful details. This one finally has some actual photos, so it's possible to have an idea of what's going on.

First look at BMW's new laser headlights

Looks like there are three wide-bandgap gallium nitride based blue lasers which are directed at a white phosphor. That luminescence is then roughly collimated with a lens and focusing mirror set to produce the headlight... err... light. This system doesn't look nearly as compact as some articles had been describing, but with the claimed efficiency gains, it's probably worth it. Plus it's a car with frickin' laser beams.

 

[TEG]

You have a switch with 3 settings - low beams, high beams, and blind all other drivers... :tongue:
(sorry, couldn't resist...)

 

[Doug_G]

You have a switch with 3 settings - low beams, high beams, and blind all other drivers... :tongue:
(sorry, couldn't resist...)

You forgot vaporize.

 

[widodh]

You forgot vaporize.

In some occasions, like traffic jams the vaporize option could come in quite handy!

 

[TEG]

Use of the vaporize mode is discouraged as it uses a substantial amount of power.
Your driving range may be reduced if you use it frequently.
Note, vaporize mode is only available on cars with the 300 mile pack due to power requirements.
:redface::tongue:

 

[EV_de]

Use of the vaporize mode is discouraged as it uses a substantial amount of power.
Your driving range may be reduced if you use it frequently.
Note, vaporize mode is only available on cars with the 300 mile pack due to power requirements.
:redface::tongue:

... therefor it should be limited to 2.5 vaporisations per mile !

 

[VolkerP]

the vaporize option is mandatory for all cars where the pedestrian warning signal is not working

 

[zack]

Friggin' laser beams!

[/QUOTE]

 

[SByer]

I'll have to bug Professor Byer about that this weekend.

I can imaging the required federal safety sticker on the lower front bumper: 'Do not stare at the car with one remaning good eye.'

 

[doug]

I'll have to bug Professor Byer about that this weekend.

I can imaging the required federal safety sticker on the lower front bumper: 'Do not stare at the car with one remaning good eye.'

You know Bob Byer?? Any relation? I took his class some years ago.

I'd think once the lasers hit the phosphor, the coherence is lost. Also after that mirror the beam is fairly large. Just as long as there aren't any stray specular reflections from the emitters, it's probably ok.

 

[TEG]

...'Do not stare at the car with one remaning good eye.'

 

[Doug_G]

A friend of mine, who works with lasers, has a sign just like this in his lab:

 

[SByer]

You know Bob Byer?? Any relation? I took his class some years ago.

Oh, I'm so ROFLMAO. I know I'm an under-sharer, but, uhm, yeah, I know him more commonly as 'dad'.

 

[jcstp]

Does BMW watch too much Star Wars?

BMW Laser Light Show Works - WOT on Motor Trend

 

[doug]

Oh, I'm so ROFLMAO. I know I'm an under-sharer, but, uhm, yeah, I know him more commonly as 'dad'.

I should have guessed. =)