Patent ID: 6688300
Filing Date: 2004-02-10
Classification: B28D,H01L

Abstract:
A method of separating a substrate into a plurality of integrated circuit chips, said substrate and said plurality of integrated circuit chips having a first side that is smoother than a second side, each of said plurality of integrated circuit chips including a ball grid array of contacts at said second side, said method comprising:providing a vacuum chuck having a plurality of vacuum pedestals and a channel structure that is disposed between adjacent vacuum pedestals, each of said vacuum pedestals corresponding to individual ones of said plurality of integrated circuit chips and each having an upper surface formed of a resilient material; disposing said first side of said substrate on said upper surface of said vacuum pedestals; holding said first side of said substrate securely against said upper surface of said vacuum pedestal with a vacuum, whereby said resilient material substantially seals the interface between said first side of said substrate and said upper surface of said vacuum pedestal when said substrate is being held by said vacuum; and dicing said substrate into the plurality of integrated circuit chips while said substrate is held against said upper surface of said vacuum pedestals.