In one embodiment, a surface analyzer system comprises a radiation targeting assembly to target radiation onto an edge surface of a wafer, the radiation targeting assembly comprising a first expanded paraboloid or expanded ellipsoid reflector positioned adjacent the edge surface of the wafer, a reflected radiation collecting assembly that collects radiation reflected from the surface, a signal processing module to generate surface parameter data from the reflected radiation, and a defect detection module to analyze the surface parameter data to detect a defect on the surface.