A full-field imaging, long working distance, incoherent interference microscope
suitable for three-dimensional imaging and metrology of MEMS devices and test structures
on a standard microelectronics probe station. A long working distance greater than
10 mm allows standard probes or probe cards to be used. This enables nanometer-scale
3-dimensional height profiles of MEMS test structures to be acquired across an
entire wafer while being actively probed, and, optionally, through a transparent
window. An optically identical pair of sample and reference arm objectives is not
required, which reduces the overall system cost, and also the cost and time required
to change sample magnifications. Using a LED source, high magnification (e.g.,
50) can be obtained having excellent image quality, straight fringes, and
high fringe contrast.