Lamp with graded absorption coating

A method of manufacturing an automotive front lamp comprising a glass envelope enclosing a light generating means, the glass envelope comprising along its length a top part above the light generating means, a center part surrounding the light generating means, and a bottom part region below the light generating means, the method comprising axially and/or circumferentially applying an absorption coating to a surface of the glass envelope such that exactly three coated regions are formed:

• a first coated region in which light emitted by the light generating means undergoes a substantially uniform first level of absorption, wherein the first coated region is applied to the center part of the glass envelope;
• a second coated region in which light emitted by the light generating means undergoes a substantially uniform second level of absorption, said second level of absorption being greater than the first level of absorption, wherein the second coated region is applied to the bottom part of the glass envelope so the second coated region is at a greater distance from the light generating means than the first coated region;
• a transition region positioned between the first and second regions, and in which the absorption coating is graded thereby providing a transition in the transition region from the first coated region to the second coated region to alter a front beam generated by the lamp;
• whereby in use, light emitted by the lamp does not exhibit a pronounced step between neighboring regions.