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Old 14th Feb 2019, 03:11
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EEngr
 
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Seattle
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Maybe. But the characteristics of a laser don't seem to fit well with that of landing lights.

Spatial coherence: Able to focus into a tight beam with minimum spread. But you want some beam spread with landing lights. Both to illuminate an area instead of a point. And to be visible by other aircraft over a wider area.

Narrow spectrum: OK for anti-collision beacons and red/green navigation lights. But landing lights are white. Or at least broad enough spectrum so you can get some return from various different tinted surfaces.

Laser efficiency might have developed beyond that available from other technologies, including LEDs. They might work in much the same way as white LEDs do. A blue or UV LED exciting a phosphor layer to produce white light.
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