White Light Interferometer light source

I want to buy a point white light source for a white light interferometer.

The light source needs to be small and bright so that is has adequate lateral coherence.

The light source would likely need to be imaged through to a 10-20 micron diameter pinhole to work in my application.

I need to get as much light as possible through the pinhole.

LED are interesting to me because they last longer and are more mechanically stable compared to arc lamps.

Laser with allot of different wavelengths work but they cost allot and don't typically last for years of constant use.

Thanks for any recommendations on what sources you think I should look into buying.

Mike

White LED's don't likely last for years of constant use either. The numbers like 100,000 hours operating life are overhyped. But if not overdriven, they're apparently good for a few thousand hours, which isn't bad. Since they use phosphors, their emission spectrum might not be to your liking.