Dark field illuminator with large working area

A system for illuminating an object, the system comprising:

• a light pipe having a first end proximate the object, and a second end opposite the first end and spaced from the first end, the light pipe also having at least one reflective sidewall, and wherein the first end has an exit aperture and the second end has a plurality of openings to provide a view of the object;
• at least one strobed light source configured to provide illumination in the light pipe, wherein the object is illuminated by the first end of the light pipe by illumination at a selectable elevation angle and substantially all azimuth angles;
• wherein the light pipe is hollow and has a substantially constant cross-section along an axis normal to the object;
• and
• wherein the at least one reflective sidewall has surface features to increase illumination mixing in the azimuth angles, and wherein illumination introduced into the light pipe at the selected elevation angle has its elevation angle preserved to pass through the exit aperture at the selected elevation angle.