Design and Simulation of Computer-generated Volume Holograms for Automotive Headlamps

A new field of application for holograms might be the use as light shaping element in illumination systems of automotive headlamps. This new application is accompanied by new requirements with respect to the design and simulation of holograms. For instance, characteristics of typically used light sources in automotive headlamps, e.g. LED or HID, have to be considered as well as parameters of the exposure process. An important aspect is also the computational effort defined by required memory and calculation time. This leads to the need for algorithms as simplified as possible but as accurate as necessary to simulate diffraction in a realistic and reliable way on the one hand, and to pattern elements of great size (in the range of several centimeters) on the other hand. Finally all considerations and approaches are based on the need for complying regulations of the automotive sector. In this contribution criteria that have to be implemented by the algorithms are defined. The simulation quality is examined by comparing computational and experimental results of holographic reconstructions. In addition, future issues with regard to necessary improvements are touched.