Abstract: System and method for applying an adhesive tape or a pressure release tape to a surface of the semiconductor wafer to remove particulate contaminants or foreign material that may have been collected thereon. The pressure-release tape to which the foreign material is adherent is peeled off or removed from the surface of the semiconductor wafer. Advantageously, a pressure-sensitive adhesive tape may be utilized which does not require any intermediate steps between application thereof onto the surface substrate. The adhesive tape provides a novel degree of adhesion to a surface of the substrate compared to the tapes employed in the art, in order to increase the efficiency in removing the foreign materials. Moreover, no residue is left from the pressure-sensitive tape on the surface of the substrate or semiconductor wafer after the step of removing the tape to which the foreign material has adhered.