Abstract: A workpiece object is prepared which has a thin film on the surface and made of amorphous material. A pulse laser beam is applied to the thin film, the pulse laser beam having an elongated beam cross section along one direction on the surface of the thin film. With this pulse laser beam, the thin film is melted and thereafter the thin film is solidified to form crystal grains framing chains along a long axis direction of a beam incidence region in first stripe regions. The first stripe regions extend along the long axis direction in regions of the beam incidence region between its center line and borders of the beam incidence region extending along the long axis direction, and are spaced apart from the borders and the center line by a predetermined distance.

Abstract: A method of machining a substrate etches a substrate according to a predetermined length and depth from an intersection between a first predetermined dividing line and a second predetermined dividing line, which cross each other in a T-shaped line, along the second predetermined dividing line of the predetermined dividing lines being used to cut the substrate, and divides the substrate along the predetermined dividing lines which are not etched by laser machining.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a method of scribing and breaking a substrate made of a brittle material by which good-quality cutting surface of the substrate can be obtained without any defects such as chippings on the substrate.

Abstract: Some embodiments include methods in which a front side region of a semiconductor substrate is placed against a surface. While the front side region is against the surface, the semiconductor substrate is thinned, and then cut into a plurality of dice. The surface may be a pliable material, and may be stretched after the cutting to increase separation between at least some of the dice. While the pliable surface is stretched, at least some of the dice may be picked from the surface. In some embodiments, the semiconductor substrate is retained to the surface with a radiation-curable material. The material is in an uncured and tacky form during the thinning of the substrate, and is subsequently cured into a less tacky form prior to the picking of dice from the surface.

Abstract: A wafer separating method including a laminated member removing step for partially removing a laminated member of a wafer along streets by applying a laser beam to the wafer along the streets, and a cutting step for cutting a substrate of the wafer along the streets after the laminated member removing step.

Abstract: A method of dividing a wafer having a plurality of micro electro mechanical systems and a plurality of streets for partitioning the micro electro mechanical systems formed on the front surface of a wafer substrate, the method comprising a protective tape affixing step for affixing a protective tape to the front surface of the wafer; a cut groove-forming step for forming a cut groove by cutting the wafer having the protective tape affixed thereto along the streets from the back surface of the wafer substrate, leaving a cutting margin having a predetermined thickness on the front surface side of the wafer substrate; and a cutting step for cutting the cutting margins by applying a laser beam to the cutting margins of the cut grooves formed along the streets.

Abstract: A method of dividing a wafer having a plurality of dividing lines which are formed in a lattice pattern on the front surface, into individual chips along the dividing lines, the method comprising a wafer affixing step for affixing the front surface of the wafer to the front surface of a holding plate having stiffness through an adherent layer; a grinding step for grinding the rear surface of the wafer affixed to the holding plate to a predetermined thickness; a deteriorated layer forming step for applying a pulse laser beam of a wavelength having permeability for the wafer from the rear surface of the wafer which is affixed to the holding plate and has undergone the grinding step to form a deteriorated layer in the inside of the wafer along the dividing lines; a wafer transfer step for putting the rear surface of the wafer which has undergone the deteriorated layer forming step on an adherent tape mounted on an annular frame and removing the holding plate from the front surface of the wafer; and a wafer divid

Abstract: In a method for producing a silicon single by pulling the silicon single crystal from a silicon melt contained in a crucible, a magnetic field is applied to the silicon melt in a radial direction of the silicon single crystal, and a vertical level of a center of the magnetic field relative to a surface of the silicon melt is controlled such that a thermal gradient in an axial direction of the crystal is maintained at a constant value in respective portions along a radial direction of the silicon single crystal.

Abstract: A technique for forming a film of material (12) from a donor substrate (10). The technique has a step of introducing energetic particles (22) through a surface of a donor substrate (10) to a selected depth (20) underneath the surface, where the particles have a relatively high concentration to define a donor substrate material (12) above the selected depth. An energy source is directed to a selected region of the donor substrate to initiate a controlled cleaving action of the substrate (10) at the selected depth (20), whereupon the cleaving action provides an expanding cleave front to free the donor material from a remaining portion of the donor substrate.

Abstract: A method of dividing, along dividing lines, a wafer having function elements formed in areas sectioned by the dividing lines formed in a lattice pattern on the front surface, comprising: a frame holding step for affixing the back surface of the wafer to a dicing tape mounted on an annular frame; a deteriorated layer forming step for forming a deteriorated layer along the dividing lines in the inside of the wafer by applying a pulse laser beam capable of passing through the wafer to the wafer along the dividing lines, from the side of the front surface of the wafer held on the frame; a dividing step for dividing the wafer into individual chips along the dividing lines by exerting external force along the dividing lines where the deteriorated layers have been formed of the wafer held on the frame; an expansion step for enlarging the interval between chips by stretching the dicing tape affixed to the wafer divided into individual chips; and a picking up step for picking up each chip from the expanded dicing tape

Abstract: A wafer laser processing method for forming a groove in a wafer having a protective film on the processing surface of a substrate along a predetermined processing line, comprising a first step for forming a first groove in the protective film along the dividing lines by applying a first pulse laser beam set to an output at which the protective film can be processed but the substrate can not be processed, to the protective film along the processing lines; and a second step for forming a second groove in the substrate along the first grooves by applying a second pulse laser beam set to an output at which the substrate can be processed, along the first grooves.

Abstract: A method of dividing a wafer having devices which are formed in a plurality of areas sectioned by a plurality of streets formed in a lattice pattern on the front surface of a substrate and a protective film which covers the front surfaces of the devices into individual devices along the streets, comprising the steps of: applying a laser beam of a wavelength having absorptivity for the protective film to the protective film from the front surface side of the wafer along the streets to form grooves so as to divide the protective film along the streets; applying a laser beam of a wavelength having permeability for the substrate to the wafer which has undergone the above protective film dividing step along the streets with its focal point set to positions below the grooves so as to form deteriorated layers in the inside of the substrate along the streets; and applying external force to the wafer in which the protective film has been divided along the streets and the deteriorated layers have been formed in the ins

Abstract: An apparatus for annealing a substrate includes a substrate stage having a substrate mounting portion configured to mount the substrate; a heat source having a plurality of heaters disposed under the substrate mounting portion, the heaters individually preheating a plurality areas defined laterally in the substrate through a bottom surface of the substrate; and a light source facing a top surface of the substrate, configured to irradiate a pulsed light at a pulse width of about 0.1 ms to about 100 ms on the entire top surface of the substrate.

Abstract: Silicon wafer dicing apparatus includes a master oscillator power amplifier (MOPA) arrangement wherein the master oscillator includes a continuous wave (CW) laser the output of which modulated by an external modulator to provide optical pulses to be amplified in the power amplifier. In one example of the apparatus the power amplifier includes at least one amplification stage including an optical fiber gain-medium.

Abstract: A laser processing method for forming a deteriorated layer, which has been once molten and then re-solidified, in the inside of a wafer by applying a pulse laser beam capable of passing through the wafer to the wafer along a dividing line formed on the wafer, comprising: a protective tape affixing step for affixing a protective tape having gas permeability to one side of the wafer; a wafer holding step for holding the wafer having the protective tape affixed thereto on the chuck table of a laser beam machine in such a manner that the surface side onto which the protective tape has been affixed comes into contact with the chuck table; and a laser beam application step for applying a pulse laser beam capable of passing through the wafer from the other surface side of the wafer held on the chuck table with its focusing point set to a position near the one surface of the wafer to form the deteriorated layer exposed to the one surface along the dividing line in the inside of the wafer.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus to dicing and/or drilling of wafers are described. In one embodiment, an electromagnetic radiation beam (e.g., a relatively high intensity, ultra-short laser beam) may be used to dice and/or drill a wafer. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: A wafer laser processing method for forming a groove in a wafer having a plurality of areas which are sectioned by streets formed in a lattice pattern on the front surface of a substrate, a device being formed in each of the plurality of areas, and an insulating film being formed on the surfaces of the devices, by applying a pulse laser beam along the streets, the method comprising a heating step for applying a first pulse laser beam set to an output for preheating the insulating film so as to soften it to the insulating film and a processing step for applying a second pulse laser beam set to an output for processing the insulating film and the substrate to the spot position of the first pulse laser beam applied in the heating step, the heating step and the processing step being carried out along the streets alternately.

Abstract: An integrated circuit system including: providing an integrated circuit wafer having an integrated circuit side and a backside; mounting a protective adhesive on the integrated circuit side of the integrated circuit wafer; removing material from the backside of the integrated circuit wafer; and dicing the integrated circuit wafer through the protective adhesive to form an integrated circuit die.

Abstract: A variable astigmatic focal beam spot is formed using lasers with an anamorphic beam delivery system. The variable astigmatic focal beam spot can be used for cutting applications, for example, to scribe semiconductor wafers such as light emitting diode (LED) wafers. The exemplary anamorphic beam delivery system comprises a series of optical components, which deliberately introduce astigmatism to produce focal points separated into two principal meridians, i.e. vertical and horizontal. The astigmatic focal points result in an asymmetric, yet sharply focused, beam spot that consists of sharpened leading and trailing edges. Adjusting the astigmatic focal points changes the aspect ratio of the compressed focal beam spot, allowing adjustment of energy density at the target without affecting laser output power. Scribing wafers with properly optimized energy and power density increases scribing speeds while minimizing excessive heating and collateral material damage.

Abstract: A system for the laser scribing of semiconductor devices includes a laser light source operable to selectably deliver laser illumination at a first wavelength and at a second wavelength which is shorter than the first wavelength. The system further includes a support for a semiconductor device and an optical system which is operative to direct the laser illumination from the light source to the semiconductor device. The optical system includes optical elements which are compatible with the laser illumination of the first wavelength and the laser illumination of the second wavelength. In specific instances, the first wavelength is long wavelength illumination such as illumination of at least 1000 nanometers, and the second wavelength is short wavelength illumination which in specific instances is 300 nanometers or shorter. By the use of the differing wavelengths, specific layers of the semiconductor device may be scribed without damage to subjacent layers. Also disclosed are specific scribing processes.

Abstract: In a method for patterning a reel-to-reel strip in an automatic manufacturing process, a reel-to-reel strip is stuck onto a support plate having a low-tack adhesive. A laser beam is used to pattern the reel-to-reel strip. Carbon residues and/or cut pieces generated during a process of patterning the reel-to-reel strip are stuck on the support plate having the low-tack adhesive. Therefore, the carbon residues and/or the cut pieces will not fall down to other parts of the reel-to-reel strips during the automatic manufacturing process. Thus, it does not need to remove the carbon residues and/or the cut pieces from the reel-to-reel strips.

Abstract: In a method and system for dicing a wafer (220), an ultraviolet (UV) laser (210) is aligned with a street (222) on the wafer (220). A thickness of the wafer (220) is at most 400 times a wavelength of the UV laser (210). When energized, the UV laser (210) generates an adjustable amount of energy in the form of a plurality of laser pulses (212) that are focused on the street (222). The amount of energy provided to the wafer (220) is adjustable in accordance to the thickness. The plurality of laser pulses (212) perform the dicing of the wafer (220) along the street (222) by ablating material from the wafer (220).

Abstract: In a wafer processing method for penetrating a wafer by use of a laser processing apparatus including a chuck table for holding the wafer, laser beam irradiation means for irradiating the wafer held on the chuck table with a laser beam, and imaging means for imaging the wafer held on the chuck table, the chuck table includes a chuck table main body, a holding member disposed on an upper surface of the chuck table main body and having a holding surface for holding an entire surface of the wafer, the holding member comprising a transparent or translucent member, and a light emitting body disposed laterally of a side of the holding member opposite to the holding surface.

Abstract: A split axis stage architecture is implemented as a multiple stage positioning system that is capable of vibrationally and thermally stable material transport at high speed and rates of acceleration. A split axis design decouples stage motion along two perpendicular axes lying in separate, parallel planes. A dimensionally stable substrate in the form of a granite, or other stone slab, or of ceramic material or cast iron, is used as the base for lower and upper stages. The substrate is precisely cut (“lapped”) such that its upper and lower stage surface portions are flat and parallel to each other.

Abstract: A method for dicing an optoelectronic semiconductor wafer has steps of preparing an optoelectronic semiconductor wafer, laser scribing, diamond saw dicing and forming optoelectronic semiconductor dies. A product for dicing an optoelectronic semiconductor wafer has a substrate and an epitaxial layer. The substrate has a first surface, a second surface and two rough surfaces. The rough surfaces are formed by laser scribing the wafer to define multiple guide grooves on the wafer and diamond saw grooving the wafer along the guide grooves. The epitaxial layer is formed epitaxially on the first surface of the substrate.

Abstract: A method of dividing a wafer, comprising the steps of forming a deteriorated layer along streets in the inside of the wafer; affixing an adhesive film to the rear surface of the wafer; affixing the adhesive film side of the wafer to a dicing tape mounted on an annular frame; dividing the wafer into individual devices along the streets where the deteriorated layer has been formed by expanding the dicing tape; forming a dividing groove along the outer periphery of each individual device in the adhesive film by applying a laser beam through the spaces between adjacent devices while the dicing tape is expanded by carrying out the first tape expanding step; and dividing the adhesive film along the dividing grooves by further expanding the dicing tape from the state in which the first tape expanding step has been carried out.

Abstract: A method for forming a median crack and an apparatus for forming a median crack are provided, where the formation of a deep, straight median crack is possible, and an excellent broken surface of a brittle substrate can be gained as a result of breaking.

Abstract: Techniques for dicing wafer assemblies containing multiple metal device dies, such as vertical light-emitting diode (VLED), power device, laser diode, and vertical cavity surface emitting laser device dies, are provided. Devices produced accordingly may benefit from greater yields and enhanced performance over conventional metal devices, such as higher brightness of the light-emitting diode and increased thermal conductivity. Moreover, such techniques are applicable to GaN-based electronic devices in cases where there is a high heat dissipation rate of the metal devices that have an original non- (or low) thermally conductive and/or non- (or low) electrically conductive carrier substrate that has been removed.

Abstract: In a method and an apparatus for dividing a plate-like member related to the present invention, multiple substrates are obtained by forming a linear modified region on a surface of a plate-like member formed from a hard and brittle material or in the interior of the plate-like member and dividing the plate-like member along this modified region. The method for dividing a plate-like member includes a tape sticking step which involves sticking tape on the surface of the plate-like member, a modified region forming step which involves forming a modified region on surface of the plate-like member or in the interior of the plate-like member, and an expanding step which involves elongating the tape by applying a tension thereto after the modified region forming step. In the expanding step, the tape is irradiated with UV rays. As a result of this, it is possible to positively manufacture an ultrathin chip with a good end-face shape in which uncut portions, chipping and breakage do not occur.

Abstract: A method and system for high-speed, precise micromachining an array of devices are disclosed wherein improved process throughput and accuracy, such as resistor trimming accuracy, are provided. The number of resistance measurements are limited by using non-measurement cuts, using non-sequential collinear cutting, using spot fan-out parallel cutting, and using a retrograde scanning technique for faster collinear cuts. Non-sequential cutting is also used to manage thermal effects and calibrated cuts are used for improved accuracy. Test voltage is controlled to avoid resistor damage.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a processing apparatus using a laser beam, which includes a holder for holding a workpiece, and laser beam applicator for irradiating the workpiece, held by the holder, with a pulsed laser beam capable of passing through the workpiece, thereby deteriorating the workpiece. The laser beam applicator includes a pulsed laser beam oscillator and a transmitter/focuser for transmitting and focusing the pulsed laser beam oscillated by the pulsed laser beam oscillator. The transmitter/focuser focuses the pulsed laser beam, with a time difference provided, to at least two focus points that are displaced in the optical axis direction.

Abstract: A method for fabricating a semiconductor device includes dividing an off substrate so that a first edge face, the off substrate having an operation layer on a main surface of the off substrate, and cutting the off substrate to form a second edge face crossing the first edge face so that an entire surface of the second edge face is closer to a direction vertical to the main surface of the off substrate than a surface cleaved along with the second edge face.

Abstract: A wafer processing method for carrying out processing by applying a laser beam along streets formed on a wafer, comprising a step of applying a laser beam at an incident angle of a predetermined inclination angle to the normal line of a processing surface of the wafer while the wafer is processing-fed along a street from one end to the other end on the side of the laser beam application at an acute angle to the processing surface of the wafer.

Abstract: A laser beam machining method and a laser beam machining device capable of cutting a work without producing a fusing and a cracking out of a predetermined cutting line on the surface of the work, wherein a pulse laser beam is radiated on the predetermined cut line on the surface of the work under the conditions causing a multiple photon absorption and with a condensed point aligned to the inside of the work, and a modified area is formed inside the work along the predetermined determined cut line by moving the condensed point along the predetermined cut line, whereby the work can be cut with a rather small force by cracking the work along the predetermined cut line starting from the modified area and, because the pulse laser beam radiated is not almost absorbed onto the surface of the work, the surface is not fused even if the modified area is formed.

Abstract: A method for dicing a sheet workpiece includes the following steps. A base (10) is provided. A water-soluble adhesive (20) is coated onto the base, and the workpiece is placed on the water-soluble adhesive. The water-soluble adhesive is hardened so as to, fix the workpiece on the base. The workpiece is diced to form cut pieces. The hardened water-soluble adhesive dissolves in water. The present method reduces the deformation of the hardened water-soluble adhesive and may thus eliminate chipping. Accordingly, the present method can contribute significantly to improving the production yield.

Abstract: A method of dividing a wafer having a plurality of devices, which are formed in a plurality of areas sectioned by streets formed in a lattice pattern on the front surface, and having test metal patterns which are formed on the streets, comprising the steps of: a laser beam application step for carrying out laser processing to form a dividing start point along a street on both sides of the test metal patterns by applying a laser beam along the street on both sides of the test metal patterns in the street formed on the wafer; and a dividing step for dividing the wafer which has been laser processed to form dividing start points along the dividing start points by exerting external force to the wafer, resulting in leaving the streets having the test metal patterns formed thereon behind.

Abstract: A modified layer 5 and an altered layer 8 are formed outside a dicing point of a dicing area 3. Thus without forming another interface between different physical properties on the dicing point, it is possible to prevent chipping from progressing along a crystal orientation from an interface between a semiconductor element 2 and a semiconductor substrate 1 and from a surface of the semiconductor element during dicing, thereby suppressing the development of chipping to the semiconductor element.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a laser dicing sheet comprising a base material comprising a polyurethane acrylate film and a shape-restoring film; and an adhesive layer formed on a surface of said polyurethane acrylate film of the base material.

Abstract: An undefill material is provided on the surface of a wafer in such a manner as to cover bumps, then the wafer is irradiated with a laser beam from the surface thereof and along planned cutting lines so as to remove an insulation layer and the underfill material present over the planned cutting lines, and the debris generated in this instance are deposited on the underfill material and are thereby prevented from being deposited on the wafer surface and/or on the bumps. Subsequently, a surface layer of the underfill material is cut so as to make the bumps flush in height and to expose the tips of the bumps.

Abstract: A wafer laser processing method for forming deteriorated layers in the inside of a wafer having devices which are formed in a plurality of areas sectioned by a plurality of streets formed in a lattice pattern on the front surface along the streets by applying a laser beam along the streets, comprising: a first deteriorated layer forming step for forming a first deteriorated layer along the streets near the front surface of the wafer by applying a laser beam having a wavelength of 1,064 nm from the rear surface side of the wafer along the streets with its focal spot set to a position near the front surface of the wafer; and a second deteriorated layer forming step for forming a second deteriorated layer along the streets at a position closer to the rear surface of the wafer than the first deteriorated layer by applying a laser beam having a wavelength of 1,342 nm from the rear surface side of the wafer along the streets with its focal spot set to a position closer to the rear surface than the first deteriorate

Abstract: A method for singulating a substrate such as a semiconductor wafer populated with a plurality of MEMS devices. A preferred embodiment of the present invention comprises mounting a glass cover onto the wafer, then orienting the wafer and removably mounting it on an adhesive tape. A partial cut or series of partial cuts is then made through the cover to facilitate the later removal of selected cover portions using an automated process. The dice are then separated using a series of full cuts made perpendicular and parallel to the partial cuts and the selected cover portions removed from each die. The separated dice are then packaged for use or for further fabrication.

Abstract: A method of separating semiconductor elements formed in a wafer of semiconductor material using a laser producing a primary laser beam, and an arrangement and diffraction grating used in the method. The at least one primary laser beam is split into a plurality of secondary laser beams using a first diffraction grating having at least a first grating structure relative to the wafer, by impinging the at least one primary laser beam on the first grating structure. At least one first score is formed by moving the laser relative to the wafer in a first direction. The method further forms at least one second score by moving the laser relative to the wafer in a second direction. Before moving the laser relative to the wafer in the second direction, the method alters the first grating structure to a second grating structure relative to the wafer.

Abstract: A method for dividing a wafer into a plurality of chips is provided. The method includes providing recesses in a surface of the wafer at positions along boundaries between regions to become the individual chips, providing fragile portions having a predetermined width inside the wafer at positions along the boundaries by irradiation of the other surface of the wafer with a laser beam whose condensing point is placed inside the wafer, the fragile portions including connected portions at least at one of the surfaces of the wafer, and dividing the wafer at the fragile portions into the individual chips by applying an external force to the wafer.

Abstract: Alignment methods of IC device substrates. A first IC device substrate has a first front side for defining a plurality of first IC features, a first backside opposite the first front side, and a first alignment pattern formed on the first front side or the first backside. A second IC device substrate has a second front side for defining a plurality of second IC features, a second backside opposite the second front side, and a second alignment pattern formed on the second front side or the second backside. A first optical detector and a second optical detector are applied to detect the first and second alignment patterns, so as to align the first and second IC device substrates. Specifically, the first and second alignment patterns face toward the first and second optical detectors in opposite directions.

Abstract: A furnace for growing a ribbon crystal has a channel for growing a ribbon crystal at a given rate in a given direction, and a separating mechanism for separating a portion from the growing ribbon crystal. At least a part of the separating mechanism moves at about the given rate and in about the given direction while separating the portion from the growing ribbon crystal.

Abstract: A method for creating electrical pathways for semiconductor device structures using laser machining processes is provided. The method of the present invention includes providing a semiconductor substrate and forming one or more depressions in the semiconductor substrate using laser machining processes. Optionally, a film may be deposited over the semiconductor substrate and the depressions may be formed therein. Subsequently, the semiconductor substrate and/or film are etched to smooth out the depressions and the depressions are then filled with an electrically conductive material. The electrically conductive material is then planarized down to the surface of the semiconductor substrate or film thereby isolating the electrically conductive material in the depressions.

Abstract: A laser beam processing method comprising the step of processing-feeding a wafer having devices which are formed in a large number of areas sectioned by streets arranged in a lattice pattern on the front surface while a laser beam capable of passing through the wafer is applied to the wafer to form deteriorated layers along the streets in the inside of the wafer, wherein the laser beam is applied at a predetermined angle toward a direction intersecting at right angles to the processing-feed direction relative to a direction perpendicular to the laser beam applied surface of the wafer.

Abstract: A method, system and scan lens system are provided for high-speed, laser-based, precise laser trimming at least one electrical element. The method includes generating a pulsed laser output having one or more laser pulses at a repetition rate. Each laser pulse has a pulse energy, a laser wavelength within a range of laser wavelengths, and a pulse duration. The method further includes selectively irradiating the at least one electrical element with the one or more laser pulses focused into at least one spot having a non-uniform intensity profile along a direction and a spot diameter as small as about 6 microns to about 15 microns so as to cause the one or more laser pulses to selectively remove material from the at least one element and laser trim the at least one element while avoiding substantial microcracking within the at least one element.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a compound semiconductor device comprises forming a scribed groove extending from an edge of a major surface of a laminated body to an internal region on the first major surface. The laminated body has the first major surface and a second major surface and is formed by crystal growth of a compound semiconductor multilayer film on a substrate. The scribed groove is shallow at the edge and deep in the internal region. The method may further comprise separating the laminated body into first and second portions separated by a separation plane including the scribed groove by applying load to the second major surface of the laminated body.

Abstract: A wafer dividing apparatus for dividing along dividing lines a wafer whose strength is reduced, along the dividing lines, comprising a tape holding means for holding a protective tape affixed to one surface side of the wafer; and a wafer dividing means comprising a first suction-holding member and a second suction-holding member, both having a holding surface for suction-holding the wafer held on the tape holding means through the protective tape on both sides of a dividing line through the protective tape, and a moving means for moving the first suction-holding member and the second suction-holding member in directions that they separate from each other, wherein the holding surface of the first suction-holding member and the holding surface of the second suction-holding member are inclined such that they descend or ascend toward their side edges that are opposed to each other.