Abstract: A wafer holding mechanism for holding a wafer affixed to a frame with a tape utilizing a suction force. The wafer holding mechanism includes a suction body, a wafer holder with a holding surface for holding the wafer via the tape, and a suction unit with a suction portion disposed at an outer peripheral edge of the wafer holder. The suction portion transmits a suction force across the holding surface though the outer peripheral edge of the wafer holder such that when the suction portion is covered and sealed by the tape, the wafer holder is held at the suction unit and the wafer is held at the holding surface.

Abstract: A laser processing apparatus comprising a chuck table, laser beam irradiation means for irradiating a workpiece held on the chuck table with a laser beam, and processing feed means for processing-feeding the chuck table and the laser beam irradiation means relative to each other. The laser beam irradiation means includes first laser beam irradiation means for throwing a first pulsed laser beam having a wavelength in the intermediate-infrared radiation region, and second laser beam irradiation means for throwing a second pulsed laser beam having a wavelength in the ultraviolet radiation region. The first laser beam irradiation means and the second laser beam irradiation means are set such that at least a part, in the processing feed direction, of the focus spot of the second pulsed laser beam overlaps the focus spot of the first pulsed laser beam.

Abstract: A laser beam processing machine comprising a chuck table for holding a workpiece and a laser beam application means for applying a laser beam to the workpiece held on the chuck table, the laser beam application means comprising a laser beam oscillation means for oscillating a laser beam and a condenser for converging the laser beam oscillated by the laser beam oscillation means, wherein the condenser comprises a first cylindrical lens unit having a first cylindrical lens, a second cylindrical lens unit having a second cylindrical lens which is positioned such that its converging direction becomes perpendicular to the converging direction of the first cylindrical lens, and an interval adjustment mechanism for adjusting the interval between the first cylindrical lens unit and the second cylindrical lens unit.

Abstract: A laser beam processing machine comprising a chuck table for holding a workpiece and a laser beam application means for applying a laser beam to the workpiece held on the chuck table, the laser beam application means comprising a laser beam oscillation means for oscillating a laser beam and a condenser for converging the laser beam oscillated by the laser beam oscillation means, wherein the condenser comprises a first cylindrical lens unit having a first cylindrical lens, a second cylindrical lens unit having a second cylindrical lens which is positioned such that its converging direction becomes perpendicular to the converging direction of the first cylindrical lens, and an interval adjustment mechanism for adjusting the interval between the first cylindrical lens unit and the second cylindrical lens unit.

Abstract: A laser processing apparatus comprising a chuck table, laser beam irradiation means for irradiating a workpiece held on the chuck table with a laser beam, and processing feed means for processing-feeding the chuck table and the laser beam irradiation means relative to each other. The laser beam irradiation means includes first laser beam irradiation means for throwing a first pulsed laser beam having a wavelength in the intermediate-infrared radiation region, and second laser beam irradiation means for throwing a second pulsed laser beam having a wavelength in the ultraviolet radiation region. The first laser beam irradiation means and the second laser beam irradiation means are set such that at least a part, in the processing feed direction, of the focus spot of the second pulsed laser beam overlaps the focus spot of the first pulsed laser beam.

Abstract: A processing method and apparatus using a laser beam, which can expel as much debris, produced upon application of a laser beam, as possible out of a workpiece to minimize the debris remaining on side surfaces of grooves. The processing method and apparatus superpose a first laser beam (30A) having a width D1 of a focal spot, and a second laser beam (30B) having a focal spot (32B) upstream, in a beam advancing direction, of the focal spot of the first laser beam, and having a width D2 of a beam spot at the focal spot of the first laser beam, D2 being larger than D1 (D2>D1); and apply the superposed laser beams to the workpiece.

Abstract: To prevent heating of a holding table that holds a wafer when using a laser beam to process a wafer, a wafer holding mechanism has a wafer holder having a holding surface that holds a wafer and a suction part formed on an outer peripheral side of the wafer holder, with the wafer held to the holding surface by a suction force transmitted to the holding surface from the suction part through an outer peripheral edge part of the wafer holder. The wafer can be held in place with suction without forming fine holes that penetrate the wafer holder from a front surface thereof to a back surface thereof, and therefore a material of good permeability and dispersibility with respect to the wavelength of the laser light can be selected for the wafer holder.