Abstract: A semiconductor substrate (15) is placed into a recessed area (12) of a support structure (10). A ring (20) is then placed on the support structure (10) to form a wafer holder (30) which provides support to the semiconductor substrate (15) during handling, transporting, or electrical testing operations. The recessed area (12) can also have a vacuum opening (13) and a vacuum groove (17) so a vacuum pressure can be applied to the backside of semiconductor substrate (15). This will correct for any warpage or bowing in the semiconductor substrate (15) so a planar surface is formed for the electrical testing operation. The wafer holder (30) also has a flat (16) so the wafer holder (30) can be aligned and processed like a wafer with a diameter larger than the semiconductor substrate (15).

Abstract: The etching of a thin substrate (23) is performed using a holder (10). The holder (10) has a base (11) that has a cavity (20). The cavity (20) is pressurized to compensate for the pressure and stress that is applied to the substrate (23) by an etchant solution. The holder (10) also has a sequence of o-rings (22,24,26) that are used to hold the substrate (23) in place and to prevent etchant from leaking into the cavity (20) and attacking a bottom surface (32) of the substrate (23). The pressure necessary to hold the substrate (23) in place is applied by a cover ring (28) that is screwed onto the base (11).