[Courtesy of the Korea Photonics Technology Institute]
SEOUL -- South Korean researchers have localized laser light-emitting diode hybrid headlamps that can be applied to commercial vehicles and digital lights. Laser headlamps can focus light on a narrow area, reduce the size of optical systems, and enable free design.
The Korea Photonics Technology Institute (KOPTI) has applied an ultra-precision optical system design to develop new headlamps which can easily recognize vehicles and people from long distances while minimizing the obstruction of the driver's view.
An LED headlamp was combined with a laser diode to illuminate more than 600 meters with a high-light beam. The institute compared its technology to the beam reach distance of commercialized overseas automobile headlamps for top-class sedans such as Mercedes-Benz S-Class, Audi R8, and BMW X6.
"We hope that laser LED hybrid headlamps developed this time will help lay the foundation for the localization of future automotive parts industries and their overseas expansion," Jung Kwang-hyun, a researcher at KOPTI's mobility lighting research center, said in a statement on June 13. KOPTI has led a consortium involving private companies such as Daejoo Electronic Materials, A-Tech Solution, and ams to secure commercialization technologies.
Core technologies acquired through joint research included module design and manufacturing technology for stable laser diode operation and high efficiency a fluorescent substance that converts highly integrated blue wavelength lasers into white light.
The consortium laid the technical foundation that can be applied to commercial vehicles and intelligent headlamps using digital micro-mirror devices (DMDs), KOPTI said, adding that high concentration light distribution control technology will be applied to various long-distance precision lighting products for future transportation devices
reporter
Lim Chang-won
cwlim34@ajunews.com
