Patent ID: 9592574
Date: 2017-03-14
CPC Classifications: B23K,H01L

Claim:
1. A method of scribing a substantially planar substrate comprising semiconductor material along at least one scribeline parallel to a major surface of the substrate, comprising: projecting a laser beam onto the major surface, a point of impingement of the beam constituting a light spot, the substrate being positioned with respect to the laser beam such that the light spot is disposed proximal to the scribeline; causing relative motion of the substrate with respect to the laser beam, such that the light spot is caused to translate substantially along the scribeline, whereby localized energy is transferred from the laser beam to the substrate along the course of the scribeline; monitoring a position of the light spot with respect to the scribeline by: illuminating at least a portion of the major surface proximal to the light spot using a flash of light, produced during the relative motion; capturing an image of the portion during the illumination and including the light spot, using an image recording device; analyzing the image and determining momentary position information for the light spot relative to the scribeline; and using the momentary position information to regulate a setpoint for a position of the laser beam relative to the substrate.