Abstract: A method and apparatus for topographic surface analysis including at least ne light source for radiating light, a first light-distributing surface of a first diffraction grating for receiving light from the at least one light source and for reflecting a first bundle of light under normal optical conditions and a second bundle of light formed by diffraction of the first order. A first optical stage is provided for projecting the first and second bundles from the first light-distributing surface in an optically conjugated form onto an object surface to be analyzed of a sample. Light representing the object surface is sharply projected via the first optical stage onto a second light-distributing surface of a second diffraction grating. A second optical stage projects diffracted bundles of light from the second light-distributing surface onto a detector which detects radiation and enables topographic analysis of the object surface.