pushinfaders, that is exactly what I have discovered...light sources are costly.  Most ready made ones are more science directed than I need.  I don't need really bright light but without experiment don't know what to expect.  I might try some white leds or go to a zenon lamp and some homemade rig to see what happens.  The main point is "point source" and small at that.   We will see.....

The one at work is for a spectroscope..but the beam is much too wide for photography, even with all the fine controls provided for color, intensity, etc.  That one won't cut it.

I might be on the wrong path altogether but fiber seems the way to get a fine point source of light, easily positioned and tiny as needed.          Thanks.       Tom.