Optical fiber/waveguide illumination system

A fiber optic illuminator, comprising:

• a light source;
• a waveguide for collecting, condensing, and homogenizing light emitted from the light source;
• and
• an optical fiber, having an input end and an output end, for receiving the light from the waveguide at the input end, transmitting the light, and emitting the light at the output end,
• wherein the waveguide comprises:
• a collecting segment having a substantially constant transverse profile along the length thereof;
• a homogenizing segment having a substantially constant transverse profile along the length thereof;
• and
• a condensing segment between the collecting segment and the homogenizing segment,
• wherein:
• the homogenizing segment transverse profile is smaller than the collecting segment transverse profile;
• an input end of the condensing segment is connected to an output end of the collecting segment and has a transverse profile substantially the same as the collecting segment transverse profile;
• an output end of the condensing segment is connected to an input end of the homogenizing segment and has a transverse profile substantially the same as the homogenizing segment transverse profile;
• and
• a transverse profile of the condensing segment tapers along the length thereof from the input end of the condensing segment to the output end of the condensing segment.