[Laser] off topic

[Dave]

> Date: Mon, 2 Jun 2008 12:27:21 -0400
> From: riese-k3djc at juno.com
> Subject: [Laser] off topic
> To: Laser at mailman.qth.net
> Message-ID: <20080602.122721.2980.2.riese-k3djc at juno.com>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii
> 
> any thoughts on how to use the higher powered leds as a bike headlamp
> would like to be able to broaden the ilumination to make it less of a
> spot light
> 
> bob k3djc

The standard way of doing it would be to use a lens to defocus the
light.  But, that requires some mechanical aptitude to mount the
LED and lens at the correct positions.

I've had some success machining the epoxy case for standard LEDs
(sanding, grinding, filing, etc.) to modify the beam pattern.  It
may also be possible to cast a new enclosure out of clear epoxy
to modify the focal nature of the existing package.

I don't know that I'd try this with any of the high powered LEDs,
though, since there isn't a lot of epoxy to modify.  And, in any
case, you have to make sure you don't clip any of the wire bonds
in the case.

Anyway, it's something to think about.

Dave
WA4QAL