Abstract: A method and apparatus for assisting a user to compare appearances of fibers, the method including providing (210) a computational model describing the interaction of light with fibers; obtaining (220) a first set of fiber parameters for use with the model, said first set of fiber parameters describing a first plurality of fibers; obtaining (620) a second set of fiber parameters for use with the model, said second set of fiber parameters describing a second plurality of fibers; simulating (240), using the model and the first set of fiber parameters, how light would interact with the first plurality of fibers, and rendering (250) a first synthetic image; simulating (640), using the model and the second set of fiber parameters, how light would interact with the second plurality of fibers, and rendering (650) a second synthetic image; and displaying (270, 670) the first synthetic image and the second synthetic image.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for synthesizing an image showing fibers. The method comprises providing (210) a computational model describing the interaction of light with fibers; obtaining (220) a first set of fiber parameters, which describes a plurality of real fibers (160), for use with the model; modifying (230) the first set of fiber parameters, to produce a second set of fiber parameters describing a plurality of modified fibers; simulating (240), using the model and the second set of fiber parameters, how light would interact with the modified fibers; and rendering (250), based on the result of the simulation, a synthetic image showing the appearance of the modified fibers.

Abstract: An electrode for a high-pressure discharge lamp, cut out in one piece from a rod or pin is provided. The electrode may include an electrode head as first segment; and a shaft as second segment, wherein the electrode has an asymmetrical shape which has been produced by means of a sublimation laser.