An improved iris recognition illumination system is disclosed. The system includes (i) an RGB laser device that is associated with a first collimating optic and (ii) an IR illumination device that is associated with a second collimating optic. The system also includes a DMA that has a MEMS mirror system. The DMA optically combines IR light and RGB light to generate combined light. The combined light is then directed towards a user's iris via a transport medium (e.g., a waveguide). One or more photodetector(s) are positioned to capture reflected light that is reflected off of the user's iris. The photodetectors include an IR detector configured to detect reflected IR light off of the user's iris in order to perform iris recognition.