Abstract:
An apparatus for manufacturing a semiconductor device includes a first affixing mechanism, cutting mechanism, a second affixing mechanism and peeling mechanism. The first affixing mechanism affixes a first holding member to a rear surface of a semiconductor wafer which is opposite to an element forming surface thereof. The cutting mechanism cuts and discretely divides the semiconductor wafer. The second affixing mechanism affixes a second holding member to the element forming surface side of the semiconductor wafer while the first holding member is expanded to widen gaps of semiconductor elements of the discretely divided semiconductor wafer. The peeling mechanism peels the first holding member.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is based upon and claims the benefit of priority from the prior Japanese Patent Application No. 2003-004618, filed Jan. 10, 2003, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     This invention relates to a semiconductor device manufacturing apparatus and semiconductor device manufacturing method for forming semiconductor elements (semiconductor chips) by dividing a semiconductor wafer. More particularly to an affixing technique for adhesive tapes when the semiconductor wafer is divided. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     Conventionally, the process for forming semiconductor elements (semiconductor chips) by dividing a semiconductor wafer is performed according to the steps shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , for example. First, as shown in  FIG. 1 , an adhesive tape (holding tape)  12  is affixed to the rear surface of a semiconductor wafer  11  on which elements have been formed. The adhesive tape  12  has larger size than the semiconductor wafer  11  and is mounted on a wafer ring  13  so as to be easily handled when it is transferred or mounted on a manufacturing apparatus. Next, the semiconductor wafer  11  is divided into discrete semiconductor elements  11 - 1 ,  11 - 2 ,  11 - 3 , . . . . In  FIG. 1 , a diamond blade  14  is used to divide the semiconductor wafer. However, the dividing method is not limited to a mechanically dividing method and can be attained by use of various methods of mechanical grinding and breaking (cleaving), scribing and breaking, application of laser beam, application of laser beam and breaking, and the like. 
     The semiconductor wafer  11  which is divided into the discrete semiconductor elements  11 - 1 ,  11 - 2 ,  11 - 3 , . . . is transferred while it is held by the wafer ring  13  and adhesive tape  12  as shown in  FIG. 2 . 
     After this, the semiconductor elements  11 - 1 ,  11 - 2 ,  11 - 3 , . . . are sequentially picked up from the adhesive tape  12  affixed to the rear surface of the semiconductor wafer  11 . The picking-up process is performed while the adhesive tape  12  is expanded to widen gaps between the semiconductor elements  11 - 1 ,  11 - 2 ,  11 - 3 , . . . or the picking-up process is performed without widening the gaps. After the thus picked-up semiconductor element is mounted on a lead frame or TAB tape, it is sealed into a resin or ceramic package to complete a semiconductor device. 
     When the semiconductor elements are made thin, the adhesive tape is peeled from the rear (or back-side) surface of the semiconductor wafer  11  and an adhesive tape is affixed to the front surface thereof as shown in  FIG. 4  after the semiconductor wafer  11  is divided into the discrete semiconductor elements  11 - 1 ,  11 - 2 ,  11 - 3 , . . . as shown in  FIG. 3 . The semiconductor wafer  11  which is held by an adhesive tape  15  and wafer ring  16  is transferred to and set on the table of a grinding attachment. Then, as shown in  FIG. 5 , the rear surface of the semiconductor wafer  11  is ground by use of a grindstone and polished by use of free adhesive grains or partly removed by etching or the like so that the semiconductor wafer will be made thin. 
     The above conventional manufacturing technique is described in Jpn. Pat. Appln. KOKAI Publication No. 11-40520 and Japanese Patent Specification No. 3024384, for example. 
     In this example, a case wherein the wafer ring  13  (and  16 ) is used is explained. However, it is also possible to cut and divide the wafer  11  while the wafer  11  is held only by use of the adhesive tape  12  without using the wafer ring  13  as shown in  FIG. 6  and then transfer the wafer with the discrete semiconductor elements  11 - 1 ,  11 - 2 ,  11 - 3 , . . . affixed to the adhesive tape  12  as shown in  FIG. 7 . Further, it is possible to grind the rear surface of the semiconductor wafer  11  while the wafer  11  is held only by use of the adhesive tape  15 . 
     In recent years, in order to increase the number of semiconductor elements obtained from each semiconductor wafer, the width of lines at the time of dividing of the semiconductor wafer is made small. Further, it is required to make the thickness of finally obtained semiconductor elements extremely thin, for example, less than 100 μm and it is indispensable to suppress damages occurring when the semiconductor wafer is cut and discretely divided. 
     However, with the above conventional semiconductor device manufacturing apparatus and semiconductor device manufacturing method, the following problems occur. 
     First, if the cutting gaps are narrow when the semiconductor wafer is divided into discrete semiconductor elements, the semiconductor elements  11 - 1 ,  11 - 2 ,  11 - 3 , . . . which are adjacent to one another interfere with one another at the transferring time as shown in  FIGS. 8A and 8B .  FIG. 8A  shows stress applied at the transferring time and  FIG. 8B  shows an area surrounded by broken lines  18  in  FIG. 8A . By the above interference, damages such as chippings  19 A and scratches  19 B occur on the front surface portion and side surface portion of the semiconductor element  11 - 1  as shown in  FIG. 9 . As a result, when a semiconductor device is formed by performing a pick-up process and mounting process after this, chip cracks will occur starting from the chippings  19 A or scratches  19 B and the semiconductor device will be defective. 
     Further, as shown in  FIG. 10 , at the back-side grinding time, discrete semiconductor elements  11 - 1 ,  11 - 2 , . . . interfere with one another and damages such as chippings  19 A and scratches  19 B occur on the side surface portion and rear surface portion of the semiconductor elements  11 - 1 ,  11 - 2 , . . . as shown in  FIG. 11 . Therefore, when a semiconductor device is formed as a product by performing a pick-up process and mounting process, chip cracks are more likely to occur, thereby lowering the quality and lowering the manufacturing yield. 
     Particularly, if a breaking (cleavage) method is used to divide the semiconductor wafer, substantially no gap is provided between the discrete semiconductor elements  11 - 1 ,  11 - 2 ,  11 - 3 , . . . , and therefore, the above problem of occurrence of damages such as chippings and scratches due to interference between the semiconductor elements becomes significant. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided an apparatus for manufacturing a semiconductor device comprising a first affixing mechanism which affixes a first holding member to a rear surface of a semiconductor wafer which is opposite to an element forming surface thereof; a breaking mechanism which discretely divides the semiconductor wafer by breaking 
     the smiconductor wafer an expanding mechanism for expanding the first holding member to widen gaps of semiconductor elements of the discretely divided semiconductor wafer, the expanding mechanism comprising a heating section for heating the first holding member when expanding the first holding member so that gaps between each semiconductor element are equal to or greater than 10 μm; a second affixing mechanism which affixes a second holding member to the element forming surface side of the semiconductor wafer; a peeling mechanism which peels the first holding member; and a grinding apparatus for grinding a rear surface side of an element forming surface of the discretely divided semiconductor wafer to a predetermined thickness. 
     According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for manufacturing a semiconductor device comprising affixing a first holding member to a rear surface of a semiconductor wafer, which is opposite to an element forming surface thereof; dividing the semiconductor wafer into discrete semiconductor elements by breaking the semiconductor wafer; expanding the first holding member in a heated state to widen gaps between the discrete semiconductor elements of the divided semiconductor wafer, so that gaps between each semiconductor element are equal to or greater than 10 μm; affixing a second holding member to the element forming surface side of the semiconductor wafer, while maintaining the gaps wide; peeling the first holding member from the divided semiconductor wafer; and grinding a rear surface side of an element forming surface of the divided semiconductor wafer to a predetermined thickness. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view showing part of a manufacturing apparatus and part of a manufacturing process, for illustrating a conventional semiconductor device manufacturing apparatus and semiconductor device manufacturing method, 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view showing a transferring step, for illustrating the conventional semiconductor device manufacturing apparatus and semiconductor device manufacturing method, 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view showing part of the manufacturing apparatus and part of the manufacturing process, for illustrating another conventional semiconductor device manufacturing apparatus and semiconductor device manufacturing method, 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view showing a transferring step, for illustrating the other conventional semiconductor device manufacturing apparatus and semiconductor device manufacturing method, 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view showing a back-side grinding step, for illustrating the other conventional semiconductor device manufacturing apparatus and semiconductor device manufacturing method, 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective view showing part of the manufacturing apparatus and part of the manufacturing process, for illustrating still another conventional semiconductor device manufacturing apparatus and semiconductor device manufacturing method, 
         FIG. 7  is a perspective view showing a transferring step, for illustrating the still another conventional semiconductor device manufacturing apparatus and semiconductor device manufacturing method, 
         FIG. 8A  is a perspective view for illustrating a problem occurring in the transferring step in the conventional semiconductor device manufacturing apparatus and semiconductor device manufacturing method, 
         FIG. 8B  is an enlarged cross sectional view showing part of  FIG. 8A , for illustrating the problem occurring in the transferring step in the conventional semiconductor device manufacturing apparatus and semiconductor device manufacturing method, 
         FIG. 9  is a side view showing a semiconductor element formed by use of a conventional semiconductor device manufacturing apparatus and semiconductor device manufacturing method, 
         FIG. 10  is an enlarged cross sectional view showing part of  FIG. 5 , for illustrating the problem occurring in the back-side grinding step in another conventional semiconductor device manufacturing apparatus and semiconductor device manufacturing method, 
         FIG. 11  is a side view showing a semiconductor element formed by use of the other conventional semiconductor device manufacturing apparatus and semiconductor device manufacturing method, 
         FIG. 12A  is a perspective view showing part of the manufacturing apparatus and part of the manufacturing process and showing a state in which a semiconductor wafer is mechanically ground and cut by use of a diamond blade, for illustrating a semiconductor device manufacturing apparatus and semiconductor device manufacturing method according to a first embodiment of this invention, 
         FIG. 12B  is a cross sectional view of  FIG. 12A  showing part of the manufacturing apparatus and part of the manufacturing process, for illustrating the semiconductor device manufacturing apparatus and semiconductor device manufacturing method according to the first embodiment of this invention, 
         FIG. 13A  is a perspective view showing part of the manufacturing apparatus and part of the manufacturing process and showing a state in which a wafer ring is mounted on a jig and an adhesive tape is expanded, for illustrating the semiconductor device manufacturing apparatus and semiconductor device manufacturing method according to the first embodiment of this invention, 
         FIG. 13B  is a cross sectional view of  FIG. 13A  showing part of the manufacturing apparatus and part of the manufacturing process, for illustrating the semiconductor device manufacturing apparatus and semiconductor device manufacturing method according to the first embodiment of this invention, 
         FIG. 14A  is a perspective view showing part of the manufacturing apparatus and part of the manufacturing process and showing a state in which another adhesive tape is affixed to the element forming surface side of the semiconductor elements, for illustrating the semiconductor device manufacturing apparatus and semiconductor device manufacturing method according to the first embodiment of this invention, 
         FIG. 14B  is a cross sectional view of  FIG. 14A  showing part of the manufacturing apparatus and part of the manufacturing process, for illustrating the semiconductor device manufacturing apparatus and semiconductor device manufacturing method according to the first embodiment of this invention, 
         FIG. 15  is a cross sectional view showing part of the manufacturing apparatus and part of the manufacturing process and showing a state in which the entire surface of the adhesive tape is attracted and held by use of a suction table, for illustrating the semiconductor device manufacturing apparatus and semiconductor device manufacturing method according to the first embodiment of this invention, 
         FIG. 16  is a cross sectional view showing part of the manufacturing apparatus and part of the manufacturing process and showing a process for peeling the adhesive tape affixed to the rear surface of a semiconductor wafer, for illustrating the semiconductor device manufacturing apparatus and semiconductor device manufacturing method according to the first embodiment of this invention, 
         FIG. 17  is a cross sectional view showing part of the manufacturing apparatus and part of the manufacturing process and showing a state in which peel-off the adhesive tape is completed, for illustrating the semiconductor device manufacturing apparatus and semiconductor device manufacturing method according to the first embodiment of this invention, 
         FIG. 18  is a side view showing one picked-up semiconductor element, for illustrating the semiconductor device manufacturing apparatus and semiconductor device manufacturing method according to the first embodiment of this invention, 
         FIG. 19A  is a perspective view for illustrating the transferring step in the semiconductor device manufacturing apparatus and semiconductor device manufacturing method according to the first embodiment of this invention, 
         FIG. 19B  is a cross sectional view obtained by enlarging part of  FIG. 19A , for illustrating the semiconductor device manufacturing apparatus and semiconductor device manufacturing method according to the first embodiment of this invention, 
         FIG. 20A  is a perspective view showing part of a manufacturing apparatus and part of a manufacturing process and showing a state in which a semiconductor wafer is mechanically ground and cut by use of a diamond blade, for illustrating a semiconductor device manufacturing apparatus and semiconductor device manufacturing method according to a second embodiment of this invention, 
         FIG. 20B  is a cross sectional view of  FIG. 20A  showing part of the manufacturing apparatus and part of the manufacturing process, for illustrating the semiconductor device manufacturing apparatus and semiconductor device manufacturing method according to the second embodiment of this invention, 
         FIG. 21A  is a perspective view showing part of the manufacturing apparatus and part of the manufacturing process and showing a state in which a wafer ring is mounted on a jig and an adhesive tape is expanded, for illustrating the semiconductor device manufacturing apparatus and semiconductor device manufacturing method according to the second embodiment of this invention, 
         FIG. 21B  is a cross sectional view of  FIG. 21A  showing part of the manufacturing apparatus and part of the manufacturing process, for illustrating the semiconductor device manufacturing apparatus and semiconductor device manufacturing method according to the second embodiment of this invention, 
         FIG. 22A  is a perspective view showing part of the manufacturing apparatus and part of the manufacturing process and showing a state in which another adhesive tape is affixed to the element forming surface side of the semiconductor elements, for illustrating the semiconductor device manufacturing apparatus and semiconductor device manufacturing method according to the second embodiment of this invention, 
         FIG. 22B  is a cross sectional view of  FIG. 22A  showing part of the manufacturing apparatus and part of the manufacturing process, for illustrating the semiconductor device manufacturing apparatus and semiconductor device manufacturing method according to the second embodiment of this invention, 
         FIG. 23  is a cross sectional view showing part of the manufacturing apparatus and part of the manufacturing process and showing a state in which the entire surface of the adhesive tape is attracted and held by use of a suction table, for illustrating the semiconductor device manufacturing apparatus and semiconductor device manufacturing method according to the second embodiment of this invention, 
         FIG. 24  is a cross sectional view showing part of the manufacturing apparatus and part of the manufacturing process and showing a process for peeling the adhesive tape affixed to the rear surface side of a semiconductor wafer, for illustrating the semiconductor device manufacturing apparatus and semiconductor device manufacturing method according to the second embodiment of this invention, 
         FIG. 25  is a cross sectional view showing part of the manufacturing apparatus and part of the manufacturing process and showing a state in which peel-off the adhesive tape is completed, for illustrating the semiconductor device manufacturing apparatus and semiconductor device manufacturing method according to the second embodiment of this invention, 
         FIG. 26A  is a perspective view showing part of the manufacturing apparatus and part of the manufacturing process and showing a back-side grinding step, for illustrating the semiconductor device manufacturing apparatus and semiconductor device manufacturing method according to the second embodiment of this invention, 
         FIG. 26B  is a cross sectional view of  FIG. 26A  showing part of the manufacturing apparatus and part of the manufacturing process, for illustrating the semiconductor device manufacturing apparatus and semiconductor device manufacturing method according to the second embodiment of this invention, 
         FIG. 27  is a side view showing one picked-up semiconductor element, for illustrating the semiconductor device manufacturing apparatus and semiconductor device manufacturing method according to the second embodiment of this invention, 
         FIG. 28  is a cross sectional view obtained by enlarging part of  FIG. 26B , for illustrating the transferring step in the semiconductor device manufacturing apparatus and semiconductor device manufacturing method according to the second embodiment of this invention, 
         FIG. 29  is a perspective view showing a dividing step of a semiconductor wafer, for illustrating a semiconductor device manufacturing apparatus and semiconductor device manufacturing method according to a first modification of this invention, 
         FIG. 30  is a perspective view showing a transferring step of the semiconductor wafer, for illustrating the semiconductor device manufacturing apparatus and semiconductor device manufacturing method according to the first modification of this invention, 
         FIG. 31  is a perspective view showing another example of a step of expanding an adhesive tape to widen gaps between semiconductor elements, for illustrating a semiconductor device manufacturing apparatus and semiconductor device manufacturing method according to a second modification of this invention, 
         FIG. 32  is a perspective view showing still another example of the step of expanding the adhesive tape to widen the gaps between the semiconductor elements, for illustrating a semiconductor device manufacturing apparatus and semiconductor device manufacturing method according to a third modification of this invention, 
         FIG. 33  is a perspective view showing still another example of the step of expanding the adhesive tape to widen the gaps between the semiconductor elements, for illustrating a semiconductor device manufacturing apparatus and semiconductor device manufacturing method according to a fourth modification of this invention, 
         FIG. 34  is a perspective view showing a table used in another example of the step of expanding the adhesive tape to widen the gaps between the semiconductor elements, for illustrating a semiconductor device manufacturing apparatus and semiconductor device manufacturing method according to a fifth modification of this invention, 
         FIG. 35  is a cross sectional view showing a first step of peeling an adhesive tape, for illustrating the semiconductor device manufacturing apparatus and semiconductor device manufacturing method according to the fifth modification of this invention, 
         FIG. 36  is a cross sectional view showing a second step of peeling the adhesive tape, for illustrating the semiconductor device manufacturing apparatus and semiconductor device manufacturing method according to the fifth modification of this invention, 
         FIG. 37  is a cross sectional view showing a third step of peeling the adhesive tape, for illustrating the semiconductor device manufacturing apparatus and semiconductor device manufacturing method according to the fifth modification of this invention, 
         FIG. 38  is a cross sectional view showing a fourth step of peeling the adhesive tape, for illustrating the semiconductor device manufacturing apparatus and semiconductor device manufacturing method according to the fifth modification of this invention, 
         FIG. 39  is a cross sectional view showing still another example of the step of expanding the adhesive tape to widen the gaps between the semiconductor elements, for illustrating a semiconductor device manufacturing apparatus and semiconductor device manufacturing method according to a sixth modification of this invention, 
         FIG. 40A  is a perspective view showing a table used in another example of the step of expanding the adhesive tape to widen the gaps between the semiconductor elements, for illustrating a semiconductor device manufacturing apparatus and semiconductor device manufacturing method according to a seventh modification of this invention, 
         FIG. 40B  is a cross sectional view showing the step of expanding the adhesive tape to widen the gaps between the semiconductor elements by use of the table shown in  FIG. 40A , for illustrating the semiconductor device manufacturing apparatus and semiconductor device manufacturing method according to the seventh modification of this invention, 
         FIG. 41A  is a perspective view showing a table used in another example of the step of expanding the adhesive tape to widen the gaps between the semiconductor elements, for illustrating a semiconductor device manufacturing apparatus and semiconductor device manufacturing method according to an eighth modification of this invention, 
         FIG. 41B  is a cross sectional view showing the step of expanding the adhesive tape to widen the gaps between the semiconductor elements by use of the table shown in  FIG. 41A , for illustrating the semiconductor device manufacturing apparatus and semiconductor device manufacturing method according to the eighth modification of this invention, 
         FIG. 42A  is a perspective view showing a table used in another example of the step of expanding the adhesive tape to widen the gaps between the semiconductor elements, for illustrating a semiconductor device manufacturing apparatus and semiconductor device manufacturing method according to a ninth modification of this invention, and 
         FIG. 42B  is a cross sectional view showing the step of expanding the adhesive tape to widen the gaps between the semiconductor elements by use of the table shown in  FIG. 42A , for illustrating the semiconductor device manufacturing apparatus and semiconductor device manufacturing method according to the ninth modification of this invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     [First Embodiment] 
       FIGS. 12A ,  12 B,  13 A,  13 B,  14 A,  14 B and  15  to  18  are views which sequentially show parts of a manufacturing apparatus and parts of a manufacturing method, for illustrating a semiconductor device manufacturing apparatus and semiconductor device manufacturing method according to a first embodiment of this invention. 
     First, as shown in  FIGS. 12A and 12B , an adhesive tape (first holding member)  22  for holding is affixed to the rear (or back-side) surface of a semiconductor wafer  21  on which semiconductor elements have been formed. The adhesive tape  22  is equal in size to or larger than the semiconductor wafer  21  and is mounted on a wafer ring  23  so as to be easily handled when it is transferred or mounted on a manufacturing apparatus. Next, the semiconductor wafer  21  is cut and divided into discrete semiconductor elements  21 - 1 ,  21 - 2 ,  21 - 3 , . . . . In  FIG. 12A , a diamond blade  24  is used to mechanically divide the semiconductor wafer by cutting the semiconductor wafer along dicing lines. However, the dividing method is not limited to a mechanically dividing method and can be attained by use of a chemical etching method along chip dividing lines. Further, various methods of a combination of mechanical grinding and chemical etching, grinding and breaking (cleaving), scribing and breaking, cutting by use of a laser scriber, application of laser beam and breaking, and the like can be used to serve the purpose. 
     Next, as shown in  FIGS. 13A and 13B , the wafer ring  23  is mounted on a tape affixing device and the adhesive tape  22  is expanded by pressing a jig  25  against the adhesive tape so as to widen gaps (distance ΔD) between the discrete semiconductor elements  21 - 1 ,  21 - 2 ,  21 - 3 , . . . . It is preferable to set the gap size to 10 μm or more. 
     After this, as shown in  FIGS. 14A and 14B , an adhesive tape (second holding member)  26  is affixed to the element forming surface (or major surface) of the semiconductor wafer  21  by use of a roller  40 , for example, while the gaps of the discretely divided semiconductor elements  21 - 1 ,  21 - 2 ,  21 - 3 , . . . are kept widened. After the adhesive tape  26  is affixed, it is cut along the outer periphery of the semiconductor wafer  21  by application of laser beam or by use of a cutter. Alternatively, it is also possible to affix an adhesive tape  26  which is previously cut with size corresponding to the size of the semiconductor wafer with the gaps between the semiconductor elements  21 - 1 ,  21 - 2 ,  21 - 3 , . . . kept widened. When the adhesive tape  26  is cut along the outer periphery of the semiconductor wafer after it is affixed, the adhesive tape can be relatively easily cut by using an auxiliary plate with the same shape and same size as the semiconductor wafer with the gaps kept widened. 
     Next, as shown in  FIG. 15 , the entire surface of the adhesive tape  26  is attracted and held by use of a suction table  27 . The attraction surface portion of the suction table  27  is formed of a porous material and the entire surface of the adhesive tape  26  can be attracted by vacuum suction. 
     In this state, as shown in  FIG. 16 , the adhesive tape  22  affixed to the rear surface side of the discretely divided semiconductor wafer  21  is peeled by pulling the adhesive tape  28  in a direction indicated by an arrow in the drawing by use of a claw  28 . After peel-off the adhesive tape  22  is completed, a state in which the discretely divided semiconductor wafer  21  is held by the adhesive tape  26  as shown in  FIG. 17  is set up. 
     After this, suction by vacuum is interrupted and the semiconductor elements  21 - 1 ,  21 - 2 ,  21 - 3 , . . . are sequentially peeled and picked up.  FIG. 18  shows a picked-up semiconductor element  21 - 1  as a typical example. 
     Then, after the picked-up semiconductor elements  21 - 1 ,  21 - 2 ,  21 - 3 , . . . are mounted on a lead frame or TAB tape, they are respectively sealed into resin or ceramic packages. 
     According to the manufacturing method and manufacturing apparatus with the above configuration, as shown in  FIGS. 19A and 19B , since the semiconductor wafer can be transferred with the gaps (intervals) between the semiconductor elements  21 - 1 ,  21 - 2 ,  21 - 3 , . . . kept widened, interference between the semiconductor elements can be suppressed. As a result, occurrence of damages such as chippings and scratches can be suppressed and the quality and manufacturing yield can be enhanced. 
     [Second Embodiment] 
       FIGS. 20A ,  20 B,  21 A,  21 B,  22 A,  22 B,  23 ,  24 ,  25 ,  26 A,  26 B and  27  are views which sequentially show parts of a manufacturing apparatus and parts of a manufacturing method, for illustrating a semiconductor device manufacturing apparatus and semiconductor device manufacturing method according to a second embodiment of this invention. 
     First, as shown in  FIGS. 20A and 20B , an adhesive tape (first holding member)  22  for holding is affixed to the rear surface of a semiconductor wafer  21  on which semiconductor elements have been formed. The adhesive tape  22  is equal in size to or larger than the semiconductor wafer  21  and is mounted on a wafer ring  23  or the like so as to be easily handled when it is transferred, for example. Next, the semiconductor wafer  21  is cut and divided into discrete semiconductor elements  21 - 1 ,  21 - 2 ,  21 - 3 , . . . . In  FIG. 20A , a diamond blade  24  is used to mechanically divide the semiconductor wafer by cutting the semiconductor wafer along dicing lines. However, the dividing method is not limited to a mechanically dividing method and can be attained by use of a chemical etching method along chip dividing lines. Further, various methods of a combination of mechanical grinding and chemical etching, grinding and breaking (cleaving), scribing and breaking, cutting by use of a laser scriber, application of laser beam and breaking, and the like can be used to serve the purpose. 
     Next, as shown in  FIGS. 21A and 21B , the wafer ring  23  is mounted on a tape affixing device and the adhesive tape  22  is pressed against a jig  25  and expanded so as to widen gaps (distance ΔD) between the discrete semiconductor elements  21 - 1 ,  21 - 2 ,  21 - 3 , . . . . It is preferable to set the gap size to 10 μm or more. 
     After this, as shown in  FIGS. 22A and 22B , an adhesive tape (second holding member)  26  is affixed to the element forming surface side of the semiconductor wafer  21  by use of a roller  40 , for example, while the gaps of the discretely divided semiconductor elements  21 - 1 ,  21 - 2 ,  21 - 3 , . . . are kept widened. After the adhesive tape  26  is affixed, it may be cut along the outer periphery of the semiconductor wafer  21  by application of laser beam or by use of a cutter. Alternatively, it is also possible to affix an adhesive tape  26  which is previously cut with size corresponding to the size of the semiconductor wafer with the gaps of the semiconductor elements  21 - 1 ,  21 - 2 ,  21 - 3 , . . . kept widened. When the adhesive tape  26  is cut along the outer periphery of the semiconductor wafer after it is affixed, the adhesive tape can be relatively easily cut by using an auxiliary plate with the same shape and same size as the semiconductor wafer with the gaps kept widened. 
     Next, as shown in  FIG. 23 , the entire surface of the adhesive tape  26  is attracted and held by use of a suction table  27 . The attraction surface portion of the suction table  27  is formed of a porous material and the entire surface of the adhesive tape  26  can be attracted by vacuum suction. 
     In this state, as shown in  FIG. 24 , the adhesive tape  22  affixed to the rear surface side of the semiconductor wafer  21  is peeled by pulling the adhesive tape  22  in a direction indicated by an arrow in the drawing by use of a claw  28 . After peel-off the adhesive tape  22  is completed, a state in which the discretely divided semiconductor wafer  21  is held by the adhesive tape  26  as shown in  FIG. 25  is set up. 
     After this, suction by vacuum is interrupted and the discretely divided semiconductor wafer  21  is transferred to and set on the table of a grinding attachment. 
     Then, as shown in  FIGS. 26A and 26B , the rear surface of the semiconductor wafer  21  is ground by use of a grindstone and polished by use of free adhesive grains until the semiconductor wafer is made thin to preset thickness and thus a semiconductor element  21 - 1  as shown in  FIG. 27  is formed. If necessary, an etching process (dry etching, wet etching, gas etching, CMP or the like) can be performed to remove scratches formed on the grinding surface after the back-side grinding process. Of course, the semiconductor wafer can be finished with preset thickness only by etching without using the mechanical grinding and polishing processes. 
     Then, after the semiconductor elements  21 - 1 ,  21 - 2 ,  21 - 3 , . . . picked up from the adhesive tape  26  are mounted on a lead frame or TAB tape, they are respectively sealed into resin or ceramic packages. 
     According to the manufacturing method and manufacturing apparatus with the above configuration, as shown in  FIG. 25 , since the semiconductor wafer can be transferred with the gaps (intervals) between the semiconductor elements  21 - 1 ,  21 - 2 ,  21 - 3 , . . . kept widened, interference between the semiconductor elements  21 - 1 ,  21 - 2 ,  21 - 3 , . . . at the time of transferring to the back-side grinding process can be suppressed. As shown in  FIG. 28  in which an area surrounded by broken lines  30  in  FIG. 26B  is shown in an enlarged form, interference between the semiconductor elements can be suppressed because of the presence of the gaps even when the semiconductor elements  21 - 1 ,  21 - 2 ,  21 - 3 , . . . are shifted in a direction indicated by an arrow at the time of back-side grinding. Therefore, occurrence of damages such as chippings and scratches can be further suppressed and the quality and manufacturing yield can be enhanced. 
     [Modification 1] 
     In the first and second embodiments, a case wherein the wafer ring  23  is used is explained as an example. However, the semiconductor wafer  21  can be divided without using the wafer rings  23  as shown in  FIG. 29  while the semiconductor wafer  21  is affixed to an adhesive tape  22  with substantially the same shape and same size as the semiconductor wafer  21 . Further, the semiconductor wafer can be transferred without using the wafer rings  23  as shown in  FIG. 30  while the semiconductor elements  21 - 1 ,  21 - 2 ,  21 - 3 , . . . are affixed to the adhesive tape  22 . The rear surface of the semiconductor elements  21 - 1 ,  21 - 2 ,  21 - 3 , . . . can be ground after affixing an adhesive tape  22  to the front surface side without using the wafer ring  23 . 
     [Modification 2] 
       FIG. 31  shows another example of the step (refer expanding the adhesive tape  22  to widen the gaps of the semiconductor elements  21 - 1 ,  21 - 2 ,  21 - 3 , . . . in the first and second embodiments. In this example, when the adhesive tape  22  is expanded, a table  31  is pressed against the adhesive tape instead of the jig  25 . 
     The manufacturing method and manufacturing apparatus with the above configuration are preferable since distortion of the semiconductor elements can be suppressed when the semiconductor elements  21 - 1 ,  21 - 2 ,  21 - 3 , . . . are large and thin. 
     [Modification 3] 
       FIG. 32  shows still another example of the step of expanding the adhesive tape  22  to widen the gaps of the discretely divided semiconductor elements  21 - 1 ,  21 - 2 , . . . in the first and second embodiments. In this example, when the adhesive tape  22  is expanded, hot air is blown from a nozzle  32  to the adhesive tape  22 . 
     The manufacturing method and manufacturing apparatus with the above configuration permit the whole portion of the underside surface of the semiconductor wafer  21  to be warmed and permit the adhesive tape  22  to be easily expanded. 
     [Modification 4] 
       FIG. 33  shows another example of the step of expanding the adhesive tape  22  to widen the gaps of the discretely divided semiconductor elements  21 - 1 ,  21 - 2 , . . . in the first and second embodiments. In this example, when the adhesive tape  22  is expanded, the adhesive tape and semiconductor wafer  21  are heated by use of a heater  33  contained in the table  31 . 
     The manufacturing method and manufacturing apparatus with the above configuration permit the whole underside surface portion of the semiconductor wafer  21  to be warmed and permit the adhesive tape  22  to be easily expanded at the time of expansion of the adhesive tape  22 . 
     [Modification 5] 
       FIGS. 34 to 38  show another example of the step of affixing the adhesive tapes in the first and second embodiments.  FIG. 34  is a perspective view showing a table used when the adhesive tape  22  is expanded.  FIGS. 35 to 38  respectively show peeling steps of the adhesive tape. As shown in  FIG. 34 , a table  34  which presses the adhesive tape  22  is divided into a plurality of blocks  34 - 1 ,  34 - 2 ,  34 - 2 , . . . . 
     Then, as shown in  FIG. 35 , the whole surface portion of an adhesive tape  26  is attracted and held by use of a suction table  27  while the whole portion of the table  34  is pressed against the adhesive tape  22  so as to widen the gaps of the semiconductor elements  21 - 1 ,  21 - 2 ,  21 - 3 , . . . . 
     Next, as shown in  FIGS. 36 and 37 , the adhesive tape  22  affixed to the rear surface side of the semiconductor wafer  21  is pulled in a direction indicated by an arrow in the drawing and peeled by use of a claw  28 . At this time, the blocks  34 - 1 ,  34 - 2 ,  34 - 3 , . . . of the table  34  are sequentially peeled from the adhesive tape  22  according to the speed at which the adhesive tape  22  is peeled (or according to the position in which the adhesive tape  22  is peeled) and thus the adhesive tape  22  is peeled while the expanding operation by pressing is being released. Then, after peel-off the adhesive tape  22  is completed, a state as shown in  FIG. 38  is set up. 
     After this, suction by vacuum is interrupted and then the same steps as those in the first and second embodiments are performed. 
     According to the manufacturing method and manufacturing apparatus with the above configuration, the adhesive tape  22  can be effectively peeled. 
     [Modification 6] 
       FIG. 39  is a cross sectional view showing the step of expanding the adhesive tape  22 , for illustrating still another example of the step of affixing the adhesive tapes in the first and second embodiments. As shown in  FIG. 39 , heaters  33 - 1 ,  33 - 2 ,  33 - 3 , . . . are contained in the blocks  34 - 1 ,  34 - 2 ,  34 - 3 , . . . of the table  34  and the adhesive tape  22  can be heated for each of the blocks  34 - 1 ,  34 - 2 ,  34 - 2 , . . . . Since the peeling step is the same as that shown in  FIGS. 35 to 38  and the succeeding steps are the same as those described in the first and second embodiments, the detail explanation thereof is omitted. 
     When the adhesive tape  22  is expanded by use of the table  34  with the above configuration, the same effect and operation as those of the first and second embodiments and modifications can be attained. 
     [Modification 7] 
       FIG. 40A  is a perspective view showing a table used when the adhesive tape  22  is expanded. The table  35  has a concave portion at the center, and as shown in  FIG. 40B , the table is used to press the peripheral portion of the semiconductor wafer  21  in a ring form with the adhesive tape  22  disposed therebetween. 
     When the adhesive tape  22  is expanded by use of the table  35  with the above configuration, the same effect and operation as those of the first and second embodiments and modifications can be attained. 
     [Modification 8] 
       FIG. 41A  is a perspective view showing a table used when the adhesive tape  22  is expanded. The table  35  has a concave portion at the center, and as shown in  FIG. 41B , the table is used to press the peripheral portion of the semiconductor wafer  21  in a ring form with the adhesive tape  22  disposed therebetween. Further, a nozzle  32  which blows hot air to heat the adhesive tape  22  is provided on the bottom portion of the table  35 . 
     When the adhesive tape  22  is expanded by use of the table  35  with the above configuration, the same effect and operation as those of the first and second embodiments and modifications can be attained. 
     [Modification 9] 
       FIG. 42A  is a perspective view showing a table used when the adhesive tape  22  is expanded. As shown in  FIG. 42B , the table  35  is configured to press the peripheral portion of the semiconductor wafer  21  in a ring form with the adhesive tape  22  disposed therebetween. Further, the table  35  is divided into a plurality of blocks  35 - 1 ,  35 - 2 ,  35 - 3 , . . . . 
     When the adhesive tape  22  is expanded by use of the table  35  with the above configuration, the same effect and operation as those of the first and second embodiments and modifications can be attained. 
     [Modification 10] 
     In the first and second embodiments, a case wherein the adhesive tapes  22 ,  26  are used as the holding members to hold the discretely divided semiconductor wafer  21  is explained as an example. However, the adhesive tape  22  may be formed of any other member if it is an expandable member which can hold the discretely divided semiconductor wafer  21 . Further, it is preferable to use the adhesive tape  22  which is non-shrinkable and various types of plate-like members each having an adhesive layer which holds the discretely divided semiconductor wafer  21  can be used. By adequately selecting the thickness, material and adhesion strength of the adhesive tapes  22 ,  26  as required, the characteristics of both of the tapes can be set in more preferable conditions. 
     [Modification 11] 
     In the first embodiment, the adhesive tape  22  is affixed to the rear surface of the semiconductor wafer  21  and the semiconductor wafer  21  is cut on the element forming surface side. However, it is also possible to affix the adhesive tape  22  to the element forming surface side and cut the semiconductor wafer on the rear surface side. Then, the adhesive tape  26  is affixed to the rear surface side. 
     In this case, the effect that occurrence of damages such as chippings and scratches can be suppressed and the quality and manufacturing yield can be enhanced can be kept maintained by suppressing interference between the semiconductor elements at the transferring time. 
     As described above, according to one aspect of this invention, a semiconductor device manufacturing apparatus and semiconductor device manufacturing method can be attained in which occurrence of damages such as chippings and scratches can be suppressed and the quality and manufacturing yield can be enhanced by suppressing interference between the semiconductor elements at the time of transferring or back-side grinding. 
     Additional advantages and modifications will readily occur to those skilled in the art. Therefore, the invention in its broader aspects is not limited to the specific details and representative embodiments shown and described herein. Accordingly, various modifications may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the general inventive concept as defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.