Abstract: A laser processing apparatus has one laser light source that simultaneously radiates laser beams with two wavelengths. Depth positions of focusing points for laser beams are gradually changed in a wafer. Three sets of modifying region groups, i.e., six layers of modifying region groups, are successively formed. One set of modifying region groups constitutes two layers and is formed at a time. The modifying region groups are separated, adjoined, or overlapped with each other along an estimated cut line of the wafer in a depth direction from a surface thereof.

Abstract: A method for dicing a semiconductor substrate includes: forming a reforming layer in the substrate by irradiating a laser beam on the substrate; forming a groove on the substrate along with a cutting line; and applying a force to the substrate in order to cutting the substrate at the reforming layer as a starting point of cutting. The groove has a predetermined depth so that the groove is disposed near the reforming layer, and the force provides a stress at the groove.

Abstract: A device separated from a wafer includes: a chip having a sidewall, which is provided by a dicing surface of the wafer in a case where the device is separated from the wafer; and a protection member disposed on the sidewall of the chip for protecting the chip from being contaminated by a dust from the dicing surface. In the device, the dicing surface of the wafer is covered with the protection member so that the chip is prevented from contaminated with the dust.

Abstract: A laser beam is applied to an interior of a wafer through a top surface to form modified areas in a plurality of layers of modified area groups. Intervals of the modified areas in one of the layers of modified area groups differ from intervals of the modified areas in another one of the layers of the modified area groups, which is closer to the top surface of the wafer in comparison to the one of the layers of the modified area groups.

Abstract: A separating device for separating a semiconductor substrate includes: a cutting element for cutting the semiconductor substrate into a plurality of chips along with a cutting line on the semiconductor substrate; an adsorbing element for adsorbing a dust on a surface of the semiconductor substrate by using electrostatic force; and a static electricity generating element for generating static electricity and for controlling the static electricity in order to remove the dust from the adsorbing element.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a semiconductor sensor includes a forming step, a preparing step, a fixing step and a separating step. In the forming step, a plurality of caps made of resin is formed on a supporting substrate through a separable agent. Each of the caps has a cavity therein. In the preparing step, a semiconductor wafer is prepared, on which a plurality of sensor elements are formed. In the fixing step, the caps are fixed to the semiconductor wafer. Each cavity of the caps corresponds to each of the sensor elements. In the separating step, the separable agent and the supporting substrate are separated from the caps so as to leave the caps on the semiconductor wafer.

Abstract: A method of separating a semiconductor substrate having an implementation member attached thereon includes a dividing process for at least the implementation member on the semiconductor substrate along a separation line, a placing process for film member on a same side as the implementation member, a forming process area by irradiating a laser beam from at least one of a first side of the semiconductor substrate having the implementation member and a second side that is an opposite side of the first side of the semiconductor substrate along the separation line with a focusing point of the laser beam aligned with a substance in the semiconductor substrate and severing/removing at least one semiconductor chip at the separation line from the semiconductor substrate.

Abstract: A method for dicing a wafer including first and second layers is provided. A front surface of the first layer contacts a backside surface of the second layer. The method includes: forming a sealing film on the second layer; cutting the first layer from a backside surface along with a cutting line to form a notch; removing the sealing film; irradiating a laser beam on the front surface of the second layer along with the cutting line to form a reforming region in the second layer by a multi photon absorption effect; and dividing the wafer along with the cutting line from the reforming region as a starting point of dividing.

Abstract: A method for dicing a wafer including first and second layers is provided. A front surface of the first layer contacts a backside surface of the second layer. The method includes: forming a sealing film on the second layer; cutting the first layer from a backside surface along with a cutting line to form a notch; removing the sealing film; irradiating a laser beam on the front surface of the second layer along with the cutting line to form a reforming region in the second layer by a multi photon absorption effect; and dividing the wafer along with the cutting line from the reforming region as a starting point of dividing.

Abstract: A laser processing apparatus has one laser light source that simultaneously radiates laser beams with two wavelengths. Depth positions of focusing points for laser beams are gradually changed in a wafer. Three sets of modifying region groups, i.e., six layers of modifying region groups, are successively formed. One set of modifying region groups constitutes two layers and is formed at a time. The modifying region groups are separated, adjoined, or overlapped with each other along an estimated cut line of the wafer in a depth direction from a surface thereof.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a semiconductor sensor includes a forming step, a preparing step, a fixing step and a separating step. In the forming step, a plurality of caps made of resin is formed on a supporting substrate through a separable agent. Each of the caps has a cavity therein. In the preparing step, a semiconductor wafer is prepared, on which a plurality of sensor elements are formed. In the fixing step, the caps are fixed to the semiconductor wafer. Each cavity of the caps corresponds to each of the sensor elements. In the separating step, the separable agent and the supporting substrate are separated from the caps so as to leave the caps on the semiconductor wafer.

Abstract: A device separated from a wafer includes: a chip having a sidewall, which is provided by a dicing surface of the wafer in a case where the device is separated from the wafer; and a protection member disposed on the sidewall of the chip for protecting the chip from being contaminated by a dust from the dicing surface. In the device, the dicing surface of the wafer is covered with the protection member so that the chip is prevented from contaminated with the dust.

Abstract: A separating device for separating a semiconductor substrate includes: a cutting element for cutting the semiconductor substrate into a plurality of chips along with a cutting line on the semiconductor substrate; an adsorbing element for adsorbing a dust on a surface of the semiconductor substrate by using electrostatic force; and a static electricity generating element for generating static electricity and for controlling the static electricity in order to remove the dust from the adsorbing element.

Abstract: A laser beam is applied to an interior of a wafer through a top surface to form modified areas in a plurality of layers of modified area groups. Intervals of the modified areas in one of the layers of modified area groups differ from intervals of the modified areas in another one of the layers of the modified area groups, which is closer to the top surface of the wafer in comparison to the one of the layers of the modified area groups.

Abstract: A method for dicing a semiconductor substrate includes: forming a reforming layer in the substrate by irradiating a laser beam on the substrate; forming a groove on the substrate along with a cutting line; and applying a force to the substrate in order to cutting the substrate at the reforming layer as a starting point of cutting. The groove has a predetermined depth so that the groove is disposed near the reforming layer, and the force provides a stress at the groove.

Abstract: A semiconductor wafer has two faces, one of which is a laser light incident face. A dicing sheet is attached to the other face of the wafer, so that it is stretched to thereby apply tensile stress to a laser-reformed region and cause cutting with the reformed region taken as a starting point for cutting. A protection layer, such as light scattering projections and depressions, a light scattering member or a light reflecting member, is provided between the wafer and the dicing sheet to scatter or reflect the laser light passing through the wafer. Thus, the dicing sheet can be protected from being damaged because the laser light converging point is not formed in the dicing sheet.

Abstract: A dicing sheet frame, which is used when a semiconductor wafer adhered to a dicing sheet is cut into chips, includes a plurality of frame parts and a connecting device. The plurality of frame parts supports the dicing sheet. The connecting device connects the plurality of frame parts such that the plurality of frame parts has an annular shape.

Abstract: A semiconductor wafer includes: a first layer having a first refraction index; a second layer having a second refraction index, which is different from the first refraction index; a plurality of semiconductor elements; and a layer removal region. The semiconductor elements are capable of being separated each other by irradiating a laser beam on the first layer along with a cutting line. The laser beam irradiation provides a modified region in the first layer so that the semiconductor elements are capable of being separated by a crack generated in the modified region. The layer removal region is provided such that the second layer in the layer removal region is removed from the wafer.

Abstract: A method of separating a semiconductor substrate having an implementation member attached thereon includes a dividing process for at least the implementation member on the semiconductor substrate along a separation line, a placing process for film member on a same side as the implementation member, a forming process area by irradiating a laser beam from at least one of a first side of the semiconductor substrate having the implementation member and a second side that is an opposite side of the first side of the semiconductor substrate along the separation line with a focusing point of the laser beam aligned with a substance in the semiconductor substrate and severing/removing at least one semiconductor chip at the separation line from the semiconductor substrate.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a semiconductor element. A silicon nitride film covers the semiconductor element. The silicon nitride film is made of Si.sub.X N.sub.Y H.sub.Z, where X, Y, and Z denote atomic fractions of Si, N, and H resptively. The silicon nitride film relates to an optical absorption edge wavelength shorter than 254 nm. A mean area of regions surrounded by crystal-like grain boundaries at a surface of the silicon nitride film is equal to 4.5.times.10.sup.4 nm.sup.2 or more. The semiconductor element may include a memory element from which information can be erased by exposure to ultraviolet rays.