Patent ID: 6923045

Claim:
An apparatus for detecting characteristics of a microelectronic substrate having a first surface with first topographical features that include roughness elements, and a second surface facing opposite from the first surface and having second topographical features that include raised conductive structures, the apparatus comprising: support means configured to carry the microelectronic substrate with a first portion of the first surface exposed and a second portion of the second surface exposed; first topography detection means positioned proximate to the support member and aligned with the first portion of the first surface of the microelectronic substrate to detect at least one of a roughness and a thickness variation of the first surface when the microelectronic substrate is carried by the support member, the first topography detection means including at least one of a contact probe positioned to contact the first surface and a radiation receiver positioned to receive radiation reflected from the first surface; and second topography detection means positioned proximate to the support member and aligned with the second portion of the second surface to detect a characteristic of the raised conductive structures when the microelectronic substrate is carried by the support means.