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LED headlamps enable unique styling solutions and a range of beam functionalities. After the first highly sophisticated designs and solutions, the range is extended to the mid and lower class with more essential designs and basic functionality. The headlamp architecture has to reflect the various levels of complexity. Engineers in the industry are currently trying to identify the building blocks that allow supporting the various levels in an economical way by reusing components and construction principles. The LED light source is an important element that interacts strongly with the system. As a light source manufacturer we are faced with the requests to come forward with sources providing superior styling flexibility, ease of use and system cost reduction. In this paper, we will show options, how this can be supported.

In 2004 environmental-friendly mercury free xenon HID lamps - D3 and D4 respectively with and without integrated igniter - were introduced in the automotive headlighting market. Driven by an increased concern for the environment from all stake holders in the car industry mercury free xenon HID has started his successful replacement of mercury containing xenon HID lamps used for automotive head lighting all over the world. Of course, the elimination of mercury was a key factor in promoting the environmental friendliness of xenon HID. Furthermore the amount of radioactive thorium compounds could be reduced to 2% of the content of the D1/D2 bulbs. Since then mercury free bulb designs without any thorium content have been studied assessing the electrical and optical compatibility with existing mercury free system designs.