Patent ID: 6420678
Filing Date: 2002-07-16
Classification: B23K,C03B,H01L,H05K,Y10T

Abstract:
A method of separating a non-metallic substrate along a separation line by propagating a microcrack, the method comprising:generating an incident beam of coherent energy; splitting at least a portion of the beam to form first and second distinct beams of coherent energy; directing at least a portion of the first beam onto the substrate to impinge at a first beam spot; directing at least a portion of the second beam onto the substrate to impinge at a second beam spot separate from the first beam spot; projecting a coolant stream onto the substrate so that the coolant stream contacts the substrate at a cooling locality; moving the first and second beams and the coolant stream relative to the substrate so that the first and second beam spots and the cooling locality move across the substrate; wherein the splitting step causes the first and second beam spots to be separated from each other in a direction along the separation line; and splitting the second beam into distinct beam portions that impinge upon the substrate at the second beam spot and a third beam spot, the second and third beam spots being located on opposite sides of the separation line.