Patent ID: 9443782
Filing Date: 2016-09-13
CPC Classification: H01L

Claim Text:
1. A method for protecting terminal elements of a wafer structure, said wafer structure including a first wafer coupled with a second wafer, said terminal elements being located on a first inner surface of said first wafer, said first inner surface being coupled to a second inner surface of said second wafer, said second wafer including channels extending inwardly from said second inner surface and partially through a thickness of said second wafer, said channels being arranged facing said terminal elements, said wafer structure is without an edge seal, and said method comprising: applying a soluble protective coating over said terminal elements, said applying comprising fully submerging said wafer structure into a reservoir of said soluble protective coating such that said soluble protective coating flows between said first and second inner surfaces at an edge of said wafer structure and into contact with said terminal elements, said submerging causing said soluble protective coating to flow into said channels; processing said wafer, wherein said processing produces contaminants capable of damaging said terminal elements and said soluble protective coating protects said terminal elements from damage by said contaminants during said processing; and removing said soluble protective coating from said terminal elements following said processing.