Patent ID: 6573158
Filing Date: 2003-06-03
Classification: G06K,H01L

Abstract:
A semiconductor wafer processing method comprising the steps of:providing a semiconductor wafer having a main surface and a rear surface which is opposite to said main surface, said semiconductor wafer having circuit elements formed in said main surface; providing a plate-like carrier formed of a base and an adhesive member provided on one surface of said base, said base carrier having a diameter which is smaller than that of said semiconductor wafer; adhering said semiconductor wafer to said carrier in such a manner that said main surface of said wafer contacts with said adhesive member, a rear surface of said wafer with no circuit elements formed therein is opposite to said carrier, and the entire periphery of said semiconductor wafer overhangs said carrier, to form a wafer composite; and while holding said wafer composite with said semiconductor wafer up, spin-coating an etchant on the rear surface of said semiconductor wafer while continuously blowing gas from below against said wafer composite toward the entire periphery of said semiconductor wafer, so as to prevent said etchant from entering into a boundary between said main surface of said wafer and said adhesive member at the entire periphery of said semiconductor wafer and degrading a condition of said main surface of said wafer by said etchant, thereby thinning said semiconductor wafer.