Patent ID: 7022587
Filing Date: 2006-04-04
Classification: H01L

Abstract:
1. A method for producing chips from a wafer of low thickness, said wafer having an active side on which integrated circuits are arranged in a grid with interspaces and a metallized backside facing away from said active side, said method comprising the steps of: coating the active side of said wafer with a protective coating; covering the active side with a mask having light-transmitting lines disposed along said interspaces between the integrated circuits, said mask being otherwise non-light transmitting; exposing said light-transmitting lines to light for producing exposed lines; etching away said exposed lines; producing trenches having depth from said exposed lines; removing said protective coating on the active side of said wafer; applying a carrier on the active side of said wafer; grinding the metallized backside of said wafer; removing the metallized backside via etching to a wafer thickness of about 20 microns greater than the depth of said trenches; removing the metallized backside to a base of said trenches; and, releasing the chips from said carrier thereby producing chips of having a low thickness.