Patent ID: 6764573
Filing Date: 2004-07-20
Classification: H01L

Abstract:
An apparatus for simultaneously thinning the backside surfaces of a plurality of wafers comprised of a semiconductor material, comprising:a fixture having a plurality of horizontally orientated receptacles for loading the plurality of semiconductor wafers therein, wherein each of the receptacles provides a horizontal surface adapted to support at least one semiconductor wafer; and an etchant solution capable of isotropically removing a layer of semiconductor material from the backside surface of the plurality of semiconductor wafers, wherein the etchant solution is comprised of a mixture having a volume ratio of about 4.5 parts water:3 Darts hydrobromic acid:1 part acetic acid and 77.6 g potassium dichromate per 1000 ml of solution; wherein when the loaded fixture is immersed into the etchant solution for a sufficient period of time a layer of semiconductor material is removed from the backside surface of the plurality of semiconductor wafers to form a plurality of thinned semiconductor wafers.