Patent ID: 7972963
Filing Date: 2011-07-05
Classification: H01L

Abstract:
1. A process for producing an etched and polished semiconductor wafer having a front surface, a back surface, and an edge, and a radius R extending from the center to the edge of the semiconductor wafer, comprising: treating the semiconductor wafer with a liquid etchant, wherein a flow etchant is directed towards the edge of the semiconductor wafer; at least partially shielding the edge of the semiconductor wafer from being struck directly by the flow of etchant along a distance extending in the direction of a thickness d of the semiconductor wafer, the distance having a length of at least d+100 μm and exceeding the levels of the front surface and the back surface of the semiconductor wafer; and polishing of at least a front surface of the semiconductor wafer, wherein partially shielding the edge of the semiconductor wafer comprises positioning a shield in front of the edge of the semiconductor wafer, wherein the shield does not contact the semiconductor wafer and has having a border S at a distance Δ from an inner profile end E of the edge of the semiconductor wafer.