Patent ID: 7213447

Claim:
An apparatus for detecting characteristics of a microelectronic substrate having a first surface with roughness features and a second surface facing opposite from the first surface and having raised conductive features, the apparatus comprising: a support member having a contact surface configured to contact the first surface of the microelectronic substrate, the support member being shaped to leave a first portion of the first surface exposed and a second portion of the second surface exposed when the microelectronic substrate contacts the support member; a roughness detector that includes a probe having a contact portion positioned to contact the microelectronic substrate, the roughness detector being configured to detect a roughness of the microelectronic substrate based on measurements at a plurality of locations on the first surface of the microelectronic substrate; an actuator coupled to at least one of the roughness detector and the support member to move at least one of the roughness detector and the support member relative to the other while the support member supports the microelectronic substrate with the probe in contact with the microelectronic substrate; a first camera positioned proximate to the support member and configured to detect at least one of a position, a surface defect and a bridge of at least one of the raised conductive features of the microelectronic substrate when the microelectronic substrate is supported by the support member; and a second camera positioned proximate to the support member and configured to detect a height of at least one of the raised conductive features of the microelectronic substrate when the microelectronic substrate is supported by the support member.