US Patent 8989569 Combination dark field and bright field illuminator

Embodiments are disclosed of an apparatus including an apparatus comprising a curved reflector having an interior and an open end. The curved reflector includes a curved light-reflecting surface and a pair of reflective surfaces. A light module is positioned around a perimeter of the open end of the reflector, the light module including a first side having one or more interior light sources thereon to direct light toward the interior of the reflector and a second side having one or more exterior light sources thereon to direct light away from the reflector. A waveguide module is coupled to the light module and aligned so that light from the one or more exterior light sources is launched into the waveguide module. Other embodiments are also disclosed and claimed.