In one embodiment, a surface inspection system comprises a radiation directing assembly to target radiation onto a surface of an object, the radiation directing assembly comprising a radiation source that emits a broadband radiation beam, a polarization control assembly comprising at least one of a linear polarizer and an apochromatic retarder, an aperture control mechanism, and a beam splitter, a radiation collection assembly to collect radiation reflected from the surface of the object, the radiation collection assembly comprising, a polarization control assembly comprising at least one of a linear polarizer and an apochromatic retarder, an aperture control mechanism, and at least one radiation sensing device.