A huge bundle of short fiber optic filaments are stacked together in resin.

-- Ling, Dec 16 2004

do we want our beams collimated?
-- neilp, Dec 16 2004


You haven't lived unless your beam has been collimated!
-- Captain_Ignorant, Dec 16 2004


[neilp], Yes
-- Ling, Dec 16 2004


then this is a brilliant idea. Why not go the whole hog and have LASER headlights?
-- neilp, Dec 16 2004


Now you're being silly.
-- Ling, Dec 16 2004


Lasers need collimation, too. Actually, headlights are crudely collimated as they are.
-- bristolz, Dec 16 2004


perhaps my first question should have been
do we want our beams more collimated? for what purpose?
I thought LASERs normally came quite collimated, off the shelf?
-- neilp, Dec 16 2004


[neilp], thanks for the clarification.
As far as I know:
Headlights need directional control of the beam. A sharp cut off is required in the direction of oncoming traffic. Other areas need general lighting.
The design of relectors and prisms for headlamps is very complex. Even the size of the filament of the lamp has an effect on the final direction of the beam.
Using fiber optics, the light can be collimated so that it is directed according to the lay of the fiber.
Note that not every fiber group needs to point in the same direction.
-- Ling, Dec 17 2004


so would these be cheaper than existing lights, or more accurately aimed ?
-- neilp, Dec 17 2004


Will they slowly change color like my aunt's fiber optic christmas tree? That would be *so* cool. But confusing to other drivers. Ah, who cares? As long as it looks good, right?
-- Machiavelli, Dec 17 2004


Ha, I didn't think of the changing colour bit.
Yes, the main idea is to improve the aiming.
Cost? no idea. For some, it might be a "must have".
-- Ling, Dec 17 2004



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