Patent Description:
Examples of plate-shaped bodies to which a film is affixed include semiconductor wafers for semiconductor components. After a circuit or the like is formed on a main surface of a semiconductor wafer, the back surface opposite to the main surface is ground to a desired thickness. In order to protect the circuit or the like on the main surface at the time of grinding the back surface, a film such as a protective film is affixed to the main surface of the semiconductor wafer.

A general affixing apparatus includes a mounting member on which a semiconductor wafer is mounted, and a pressing member such as a pasting roller installed at a position facing the mounting member. This affixing apparatus is configured to affix a film to a main surface by pressing the film against the main surface with a pressing member such as an affixing roller.

Here, some semiconductor wafers have, for example, a plurality of bumps on its main surface, so that the main surface is uneven due to the tops of the bumps. When a film is affixed to such a main surface using the above-described affixing apparatus, the surface of the film pressed against the main surface becomes uneven following the unevenness due to the tops of the bumps. When the surface of the film becomes uneven, defects such as vacuum leakage may occur when the semiconductor wafer is fixed to the mounting member of the affixing apparatus via the film. <CIT> is known as a technique for eliminating such defects.

Specifically, <CIT> discloses a film provided with an unevenness absorbent resin layer and the like as a film used for a semiconductor wafer. The film is devised such that unevenness is less likely to occur on the surface of the film affixed to the main surface by an unevenness absorbent resin layer, a step absorption layer, or the like.

<CIT> describes a wafer processing method for use in grinding a wafer having asperities formed on the front side.

The above-described technique is intended to suppress the formation of unevenness on a surface of a film by devising the configuration of the film.

However, even when the above-described technique is used, there is a case where a defect such as vacuum leakage occurs due to the shape or the like of the affixing surface (main surface) of a plate-shaped body. This defect is particularly likely to occur when the plate-shaped body has a step portion at a peripheral edge part of the affixing surface (main surface).

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide an affixing apparatus capable of suppressing the formation of unevenness on a surface of a film affixed to a main surface of a plate-shaped body without being affected by the shape of the main surface and flattening the surface of the film.

According to the affixing apparatus of the present invention, the film surface can be flattened without being affected by the shape of the main surface of the plate-shaped body.

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The particulars described herein are given by way of example and for the purpose of illustrative discussion of the embodiments of the present invention, and are presented for the purpose of providing what is believed to be the description from which the principles and conceptual features of the present invention can be most effectively and readily understood. In this point, the embodiments are necessary for fundamental comprehension of the present invention and how some embodiments of the present invention are embodied in practice is clearly shown to those skilled in the art by an explanation in connection with drawings without intending to indicate a structural detail of the present invention above a certain level.

An affixing apparatus of the present invention invention is an affixing apparatus <NUM> for affixing a film (<NUM>) to a plate-shaped body (<NUM>). As illustrated in <FIG>, the affixing apparatus <NUM> includes a mounting member <NUM>, a pressing member <NUM>, and a support member <NUM>.

The mounting member <NUM> has a plate shape. The mounting member <NUM> is provided with a mounting portion 31A on which the plate-shaped body (<NUM>) is mounted.

The pressing member <NUM> has a plate shape. The pressing member <NUM> is installed at a position facing the mounting member <NUM>.

The support member <NUM> is positioned between the mounting member <NUM> and the pressing member <NUM>. The support member <NUM> is installed at an outer edge of the mounting portion 31A.

In <FIG>, the plate-shaped body (<NUM>) and the mounting portion 31A are indicated by dotted lines. In <FIG>, the pressing member <NUM> is indicated by a two-dot chain line.

In the following description, a main surface 10A of the plate-shaped body (<NUM>) refers to a surface of the plate-shaped body (<NUM>) which serves as an affixing surface for the film (<NUM>). For example, in <FIG>, the main surface 10A of the plate-shaped body (<NUM>) is a surface (top surface) of the plate-shaped body (<NUM>).

The affixing apparatus <NUM> specifically includes an affixing device. This affixing device is a mechanism that fixes the plate-shaped body (<NUM>) and presses and affixes the film (<NUM>) to the main surface 10A of the plate-shaped body (<NUM>).

The affixing device includes the mounting member <NUM> and the pressing member <NUM>.

The mounting member <NUM> can have a function of fixing the plate-shaped body (<NUM>) mounted on the mounting portion 31A.

The pressing member <NUM> can have a function of pressing the film (<NUM>) against the main surface 10A of the plate-shaped body (<NUM>) mounted on the mounting portion 31A.

The support member <NUM> can have a function of supporting an edge part (peripheral edge part) of the film (<NUM>) when the film (<NUM>) is pressed by the pressing member <NUM>. The edge part of the film (<NUM>) supported by the support member <NUM> can be compressed in its thickness direction by being sandwiched between the pressing member <NUM> and the support member <NUM>.

That is, in the affixing apparatus <NUM>, the affixing device can include a compression device. This compression device is a mechanism that compresses the edge part of the film (<NUM>) in its thickness direction. The compression device includes the pressing member <NUM> and the support member <NUM>.

The affixing apparatus <NUM> may further include an arrangement device <NUM>. The arrangement device <NUM> is a mechanism that arranges the film (<NUM>) on the main surface 10A of the plate-shaped body (<NUM>).

The configuration and the like of the arrangement device <NUM> are not particularly limited. The arrangement device <NUM> can include, for example, a guide roller 35A and a pair of upper and lower traction rollers 35B (see <FIG>).

The guide roller 35A is installed so as to be displaced outward from a position immediately above the mounting portion 31A. The guide roller 35A can have a function of guiding the film (<NUM>) between the mounting member <NUM> and the pressing member <NUM>.

The pair of traction rollers 35B faces the guide roller 35A in the horizontal direction, and is installed so as to be displaced outward from the position immediately above the mounting portion 31A. The pair of traction rollers 35B can sandwich the film (<NUM>) therebetween and tow it. That is, the pair of traction rollers 35B can have a function of disposing, on the main surface 10A, the film (<NUM>) guided between the mounting member <NUM> and the pressing member <NUM> by the guide roller 35A.

The affixing apparatus <NUM> may further include a heating device. This heating device is a mechanism that heats the film (<NUM>).

The configuration and the like of the heating device are not particularly limited. This heating device can be installed, for example, by interiorly mounting the heater <NUM> in the mounting member <NUM> (see <FIG>).

Hereinafter, the mounting member <NUM>, the pressing member <NUM>, and the support member <NUM> of the affixing apparatus <NUM> will be described in detail.

The type, configuration, and the like of the mounting member <NUM> are not particularly limited as long as it has a plate shape and is provided with the mounting portion 31A on which the plate-shaped body (<NUM>) is mounted.

Usually, a chuck table can be used as the mounting member <NUM>. When a chuck table is used as the mounting member <NUM>, the mounting portion 31A can be a chuck area provided on the chuck table.

In addition, it is preferable to use a vacuum suction table, among chuck tables, as the mounting member <NUM>. The vacuum suction table can suitably fix the plate-shaped body (<NUM>) and prevent the plate-shaped body (<NUM>) from being contaminated or damaged.

The shape, configuration, and the like of the pressing member <NUM> are not particularly limited as long as it can press the film (<NUM>) against the main surface 10A of the plate-shaped body (<NUM>). For example, the shape of the pressing member <NUM> can be circular in plan view as indicated by a two-dot chain line in <FIG>.

The pressing member <NUM> is installed at a position above the mounting portion 31A. Further, the pressing member <NUM> is configured to be able to approach or separate from the mounting portion 31A.

The configuration of bringing the pressing member <NUM> close to or separate from the mounting portion 31A is not particularly limited. For example, the pressing member <NUM> can be turnably attached, at its one end edge, to the affixing apparatus <NUM>, and configured to approach the mounting portion 31A when being flipped down and to separate from the mounting portion 31A when being flipped up.

In addition, the pressing member <NUM> can be attached to a rail or the like provided in the affixing apparatus <NUM> so as to extend in the thickness direction of the plate-shaped body (<NUM>) in such a manner that it can be freely raised or lowered, and configured to approach the mounting portion 31A when being lowered and to separate from the mounting portion 31A when being raised. In addition, the pressing member <NUM> is fixed at a position above the mounting portion 31A, and the mounting member <NUM> is configured to be freely raised and lowered. The mounting portion 31A can be configured to approach the pressing member <NUM> when the mounting member <NUM> is raised and to separate from the pressing member <NUM> when the mounting member <NUM> is lowered.

In the pressing member <NUM>, a pressing surface 32A in contact with the film (<NUM>) is preferably a flat surface (see <FIG>). When the pressing surface 32A is a flat surface, the surface of the film (<NUM>) pressed by the pressing surface 32A can be flattened.

The hardness of the pressing surface 32A is a Mohs hardness of preferably <NUM> to <NUM>, more preferably <NUM> to <NUM>, still more preferably <NUM> to <NUM>. In this case, deformation of the pressing surface 32A can be suppressed, and the pressing surface 32A can be maintained to be flat.

The material of the pressing surface 32A is not particularly limited. For example, from the viewpoint of satisfying the Mohs hardness, a metal such as iron, copper, aluminum, steel, stainless steel, or an aluminum alloy, or an inorganic material such as glass or ceramics can be used as the material of the pressing surface 32A.

For example, the pressing member <NUM> can be configured such that only the pressing surface 32A is formed of the inorganic material, and the portion other than the pressing surface 32A is formed of a synthetic resin.

The configuration and the like of the support member <NUM> are not particularly limited.

The shape of the support member <NUM> is not particularly limited as long as it can be installed at an outer edge of the mounting portion 31A and can support the edge part (peripheral edge part) of the film (<NUM>). Examples of the shape of the support member <NUM> include an annular shape, a fan shape, and an arc shape in plan view. For example, as illustrated in <FIG>, the support member <NUM> can have an annular shape enclosing the entire plate-shaped body (<NUM>) inside in plan view.

The material of the support member <NUM> is not particularly limited. As the compression device, it is preferable that the support member <NUM> can sandwich the edge part (peripheral edge part) of the film (<NUM>) with the pressing member <NUM> and compress it in its thickness direction. Examples of the material of the support member <NUM> include thermoplastic resins such as engineering plastics and super engineering plastics, and thermosetting resins, in addition to the inorganic materials such as metals listed for the pressing member <NUM>.

In the support member <NUM>, a support surface 33A that supports the edge part (peripheral edge part) of the film (<NUM>) can be parallel to the pressing surface 32A of the pressing member <NUM>, for example, as illustrated in <FIG>. In this case, the edge part (peripheral edge part) of the film (<NUM>) can be suitably compressed between the support member <NUM> and the pressing member <NUM>.

Alternatively, as illustrated in <FIG>, the support surface 33A can be inclined so as to face the mounting portion 31A side (the main surface 10A side of the plate-shaped body (<NUM>)).

As illustrated in <FIG>, the support member <NUM> preferably needs a certain width W<NUM> or more in plan view. In general, the width W<NUM> is preferably <NUM> to <NUM>, more preferably <NUM> to <NUM>, still more preferably <NUM> to <NUM>. When the width W<NUM> falls within the range, the support member <NUM> can suitably support the edge part (peripheral edge part) of the film (<NUM>) and compress it in the thickness direction.

The position of the support surface 33A of the support member <NUM> is not particularly limited. In general, the position of the support surface 33A can be set in consideration of the positional relationship with the main surface 10A of the plate-shaped body (<NUM>).

Here, as for the positional relationship between the support surface 33A and the main surface 10A, a clearance between the main surface 10A of the plate-shaped body (<NUM>) and the pressing surface 32A of the pressing member <NUM> is defined as C<NUM>, and a clearance between the support surface 33A of the support member <NUM> and the pressing surface 32A is defined as C<NUM>, as illustrated in <FIG>.

For example, in the case where the compression device having the support member <NUM> and the pressing member <NUM> is caused to suitably function, C<NUM> > C<NUM> is preferably satisfied. In the case of C<NUM> > C<NUM>, the support surface 33A of the support member <NUM> is arranged at a position higher than a flat surface (blank region surface 101A of a semiconductor wafer <NUM>) of the main surface 10A of the plate-shaped body (<NUM>).

Note that the clearance C<NUM> and the clearance C<NUM> can also have a relationship of C<NUM> = C<NUM> or C<NUM> < C<NUM>.

The positional relationship between the support surface 33A and the main surface 10A will be described in more detail with reference to <FIG>.

Here, the plate-shaped body (<NUM>) is the semiconductor wafer <NUM>, and the semiconductor wafer <NUM> has the blank region surface 101A on the main surface 10A. In <FIG>, the position of the blank region surface 101A is defined as P<NUM>, the position of the support surface 33A of the support member <NUM> is defined as P<NUM>, and the distance between P<NUM> and P<NUM> is defined as d<NUM> (µm) or d<NUM> (µm).

In a case where C<NUM> and C<NUM> satisfy C<NUM> > C<NUM> (see <FIG>), it is preferable that <NUM> ≤ d<NUM> (µm) ≤ <NUM>, and it is more preferable that <NUM> ≤ d<NUM> (µm) ≤ <NUM>.

In a case where C<NUM> and C<NUM> satisfy C<NUM> < C<NUM> (see <FIG>), it is preferable that <NUM> < d<NUM> (µm) < <NUM>, it is more preferable that <NUM> ≤ d<NUM> (µm) ≤ <NUM>, and it is still more preferable that <NUM> ≤ d<NUM> (µm) ≤ <NUM>.

In the support member <NUM>, an inner peripheral surface 33B can be perpendicular to the surface of the mounting portion 31A, for example, as illustrated in <FIG>. In this case, the inner peripheral surface 33B of the support member <NUM> is also substantially perpendicular to the main surface 10A of the plate-shaped body (<NUM>) positioned on the mounting portion 31A. The support member <NUM> whose inner peripheral surface 33B is substantially perpendicular to the main surface 10A can suitably sandwich the edge part (peripheral edge part) of the film (<NUM>) arranged on the main surface 10A between the support member <NUM> and the pressing member <NUM>, or can press the edge part against the inner peripheral surface 33B of the support member <NUM>.

In addition, in the support member <NUM>, the shortest distance between the inner peripheral surface 33B and a side surface (peripheral surface) of the plate-shaped body (<NUM>) in plan view is preferably set to be equal to or less than a certain value. The shortest distance between the inner peripheral surface 33B and the side surface (peripheral surface) of the plate-shaped body (<NUM>) is defined as a clearance C<NUM> as illustrated in <FIG>. Specifically, the clearance C<NUM> can be preferably less than <NUM>, more preferably <NUM> or less, still more preferably <NUM> or less. Most preferably, the clearance C<NUM> is <NUM>, that is, the side surface (peripheral surface) of the plate-shaped body (<NUM>) is in contact with the inner peripheral surface 33B of the support member <NUM>.

The plate-shaped body (<NUM>) will be described in detail.

The plate-shaped body (<NUM>) is not particularly limited as long as it is subjected to the affixing apparatus <NUM> in order to affix the film (<NUM>) to the main surface 10A. Examples of such a plate-shaped body (<NUM>) include a semiconductor wafer, an optical lens, a semiconductor package, and a wafer on which chips are laminated. A semiconductor wafer is preferably used as the plate-shaped body (<NUM>).

As the plate-shaped body (<NUM>) subjected to the affixing apparatus <NUM>, a plate-shaped body having a notched step portion at a peripheral edge part of the main surface 10A to which the film (<NUM>) is affixed is preferable.

That is, the affixing apparatus <NUM> includes a compression device that includes the pressing member <NUM> and the support member <NUM>. The compression device is a mechanism that compresses the edge part of the film (<NUM>) in its thickness direction. Therefore, the affixing apparatus <NUM> including the compression device can fill the step of the peripheral edge part of the main surface 10A by compressing and deforming the edge part of the film (<NUM>) so as to correspond to the step portion.

As the plate-shaped body (<NUM>) having the notched step portion at the peripheral edge part of the main surface 10A described above, the semiconductor wafer <NUM> having bumps <NUM> which will be described below is particularly useful.

Note that the material and shape of the semiconductor wafer <NUM> are not particularly limited. Usually, the semiconductor wafer <NUM> is formed in a disk shape using silicon as a material.

Further, the entire surface of the semiconductor wafer <NUM> on the side having the bumps <NUM> serves as the main surface 10A. That is, the main surface 10A of the semiconductor wafer <NUM> includes the surface of the semiconductor wafer <NUM> and the surface of the bumps <NUM>.

In addition, in the semiconductor wafer <NUM>, a surface opposite to the main surface 10A defined as a back surface.

As illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG>, the semiconductor wafer <NUM> has, on the main surface 10A, a first region <NUM> in which the bumps <NUM> are arranged and a second region <NUM> in which no bumps <NUM> are arranged.

In the peripheral edge part of the main surface 10A of the semiconductor wafer <NUM>, a notched step portion is formed by the second region <NUM>.

The second region <NUM> includes a peripheral edge region 13A and a blank region 13B.

The peripheral edge region 13A is a region forming a peripheral edge of the semiconductor wafer <NUM>. In other words, the peripheral edge region 13A is a region forming the peripheral edge of the main surface 10A.

Specifically, a chamfered portion <NUM> is provided at the peripheral edge of the semiconductor wafer <NUM> for the purpose of preventing chipping or cracking of the peripheral edge. The peripheral edge region 13A is a region including the chamfered portion <NUM>.

No bumps are arranged in the peripheral edge region 13A including the chamfered portion <NUM>.

The blank region 13B is a region where bumps can be arranged, but no bumps are actually arranged.

Specifically, the blank region 13B is a region obtained by removing the peripheral edge region 13A from the second region <NUM>.

The shape (planar shape) of each region described above is not particularly limited.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the first region <NUM> can be provided in a substantially circular shape in plan view at a substantially central portion of the main surface 10A.

Also, as illustrated in <FIG>, the first region <NUM> can be provided in a polygonal shape in plan view at a substantially central portion of the main surface 10A.

In order to make the first region <NUM> and the second region <NUM> easy to understand, boundary lines of these regions are indicated by two-dot chain lines in <FIG> and <FIG>.

For example, as illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG>, the second region <NUM> can be provided in a shape enclosing the first region <NUM>.

Furthermore, the shape of the peripheral edge region 13A constituting the second region <NUM> can be, for example, a substantially annular shape in plan view so as to enclose the first region <NUM> inside (see <FIG> and <FIG>).

The shape (planar shape) of the blank region 13B can be an arch shape as illustrated in <FIG>. That is, the blank region 13B can be provided by expanding the peripheral edge region 13A in an arch shape toward the center of the main surface 10A on the left side portion of the main surface 10A. Such a blank region 13B can be used for the purpose of displaying (for example, an engraved mark or the like) various types of information such as a serial number and a production number of the semiconductor wafer <NUM>. Therefore, the arcuate blank region 13B in <FIG> can also be referred to as an identification region.

In addition, as exemplified in <FIG>, the shape (planar shape) of the blank region 13B can be a shape enclosing the periphery of the first region <NUM> from four directions of front, back, left, and right. More specifically, the shape of the blank region 13B can be a shape in which four arc shapes are connected. Such a blank region 13B can be used as a region where no bumps <NUM> are arranged, for example, because an error is likely to occur at the time of commercialization.

Furthermore, the blank region 13B in <FIG> can also be referred to as a region formed when the size of the chip cut out from the semiconductor wafer <NUM> is large. That is, when the size of the chip is small, the first region <NUM> has a substantially circular shape in the plan view of <FIG>. On the other hand, when the size of the chip is large, the first region <NUM> has a substantially polygonal shape in the plan view of <FIG>. Then, when the first region <NUM> has a substantially polygonal shape in plan view, the blank region 13B in <FIG> is formed so as to enclose the periphery of the first region <NUM>. In a case where the blank region 13B in <FIG> is formed, the size of the chip is, for example, <NUM><NUM> or more.

In the following description, the surface of the blank region 13B is referred to as a "blank region surface <NUM> A".

An average height H1 of the bumps <NUM> on the main surface 10A illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG> is not particularly limited. The average height H1 can be arbitrarily set according to the type of the bumps <NUM> such as plated bumps, ball bumps, or printed bumps. Usually, the average height H1 of the bumps <NUM> on the main surface 10A is preferably less than <NUM>, more preferably in a range of <NUM> to <NUM>, still more preferably in a range of <NUM> to <NUM>.

The ratio of the area of the second region <NUM> to the total area of the main surface 10A is not particularly limited. This ratio can be arbitrarily set depending on the size of the blank region 13B. For example, this ratio can be preferably less than <NUM>, more preferably <NUM>% or less, still more preferably <NUM> or less.

The ratio of the area of the main surface 13A to the total area of the peripheral edge region 10A is not particularly limited. Usually, this ratio is preferably <NUM>% or less, more preferably <NUM>% or less, still more preferably <NUM>% or less.

The ratio of the area of the blank region 13B to the total area of the main surface 10A is not particularly limited. Usually, this ratio can be arbitrarily set, and is preferably <NUM>% or less, more preferably <NUM> or less, still more preferably <NUM>% or less.

In the second region <NUM>, the peripheral edge region 13A and the blank region 13B both have a notched step portion with respect to the first region <NUM>. A dent, recess, or the like following the step portion is formed on the surface of the film (<NUM>), and thus may cause defects such as occurrence of a vacuum error, occurrence of a crack, cracking, or the like.

When the peripheral edge region 13A and the blank region 13B are compared with each other, the blank region 13B is larger than the peripheral edge region 13A in terms of the ratio of the area to the total area of the main surface 10A. Hence, a larger dent, recess, or the like is likely to be formed on the surface of a protective film <NUM> in the blank region 13B than in the peripheral edge region 13A, and the above-described defect is highly likely to be caused.

Therefore, in the following description, the second region <NUM> will be described, taking the blank region 13B as an example thereof unless otherwise specified.

The film (<NUM>) will be described in detail.

The shape, type, configuration, and the like of the film (<NUM>) are not particularly limited as long as the film (<NUM>) is subjected to the affixing apparatus <NUM> so as to be affixed to the main surface 10A of the plate-shaped body (<NUM>). Examples of the film (<NUM>) include a protective film, a film for manufacturing a semiconductor component such as a dicing film, and a protective film for an optical lens.

The protective film <NUM> which will be described below is useful as the film (<NUM>) when the plate-shaped body (<NUM>) is a semiconductor wafer, particularly when the plate-shaped body (<NUM>) is the semiconductor wafer <NUM> having the bumps <NUM> on the main surface 10A described above.

The protective film <NUM> is a film used at the time of manufacturing a semiconductor component. More specifically, the protective film <NUM> is a film used in a back grinding process of grinding the back surface of the semiconductor wafer <NUM> to a desired thickness at the time of manufacturing a semiconductor component.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the protective film <NUM> can include a base layer <NUM> and an adhesive layer <NUM>.

The base layer <NUM> is a layer provided for the purpose of improving characteristics such as handleability, mechanical characteristics, and heat resistance of the protective film <NUM>.

The adhesive layer <NUM> is a layer provided for the purpose of affixing and fixing the protective film <NUM> to the main surface 10A of the semiconductor wafer <NUM>.

The unevenness absorption layer <NUM> is a layer having unevenness absorption property exhibited upon exhibition of fluidity or plasticity. The unevenness absorption layer <NUM> is a layer provided for the purpose of absorbing the unevenness shape by the bumps <NUM> arranged on the main surface 10A to smooth the surface of the protective film <NUM>.

An average thickness H2 of the protective film <NUM> preferably satisfies a relational expression of <NUM> ≤ H2/H1 with the average height H1 of the bumps <NUM>.

The upper limit of H2/H1 is not particularly limited, from the viewpoint that the protective film <NUM> absorbs the unevenness due to the bumps <NUM> and the step due to the height difference between the first region <NUM> and the second region <NUM>, by virtue of the amount of thickness, to suitably eliminate the unevenness and the step. The H2/H1 is usually <NUM> or less (H2/H1 ≤ <NUM>), preferably <NUM> or less (H2/H1 ≤ <NUM>), more preferably <NUM> or less (H2/H1 ≤ <NUM>) from the viewpoint of suppressing the loss of the material due to the increase in the average thickness H2 of the protective film <NUM> and further suitably maintaining the moldability of the protective film <NUM>.

Specifically, the average thickness H2 of the protective film <NUM> is preferably <NUM> or more, more preferably <NUM> or more, still more preferably <NUM> or more.

Note that the average height H1 is an average value of the actually measured heights of <NUM>/<NUM> bumps randomly selected among the total number of bumps. The average thickness H2 is an average value of the actually measured thicknesses of the film at <NUM> places selected so as to be distant from each other by <NUM> or more.

Hereinafter, each layer of the protective film will be described.

The material used for the base layer <NUM> is not particularly limited as long as it has mechanical strength capable of withstanding an external force applied at the time of grinding the semiconductor wafer in the back grinding process.

Usually, a synthetic resin film is used as a material of the base layer <NUM>.

Examples of the synthetic resin can include one or more thermoplastic resins selected from polyolefins such as polyethylene, polypropylene, poly (<NUM>-methyl-<NUM> pentene), and poly (<NUM>-butene); polyesters such as polyethylene terephthalate and polybutylene terephthalate; polyamides such as nylon-<NUM>, nylon-<NUM>, and polymethaxylene adipamide; polyacrylate; polymethacrylate; polyvinyl chloride; polyetherimide; ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymers; polyacrylonitrile; polycarbonate; polystyrene; ionomers; polysulfone; polyethersulfone; polyphenylene ether, and the like.

Among these synthetic resins, one or more selected from polypropylene, polyethylene terephthalate, polyamide, and an ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer are preferable, and one or more selected from polyethylene terephthalate and an ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer are more preferable, from the viewpoint of suitably protecting the semiconductor wafer in the back grinding step.

In addition, as an additive, a plasticizer, a softener (mineral oil or the like), a filler (carbonate, sulfate, titanate, silicate, oxide (titanium oxide or magnesium oxide), silica, talc, mica, clay, fiber filler, or the like), an antioxidant, a light stabilizer, an antistatic agent, a lubricant, a colorant, or the like can be added to the synthetic resin. These adhesives may be used singly, or two or more thereof may be used in combination.

As the film described above, any stretched film such as an unstretched film, a uniaxially stretched film, or a biaxially stretched film can be used regardless of whether the film is stretched, but a stretched film is preferable from the viewpoint of improving mechanical strength.

As the film, either a monolayer film or a multilayer film having a plurality of layers can be used.

For the base layer <NUM>, it is preferable to use a surface-treated film from the viewpoint of improving adhesiveness to the unevenness absorption layer <NUM> and the like. Specific examples of the surface treatment include a corona treatment, a plasma treatment, an undercoat treatment, and a primer coating treatment.

The thickness of the base layer <NUM> is not particularly limited, but is preferably <NUM> to <NUM>, more preferably <NUM> to <NUM>, still more preferably <NUM> to <NUM> from the viewpoint of obtaining good characteristics.

The material of the adhesive layer <NUM> is not particularly limited, but one containing at least an adhesive main agent is used. Examples of the adhesive main agent include a (meth)acrylic adhesive, a silicone-based adhesive, a urethane-based adhesive, and a rubber-based adhesive.

The material of the adhesive layer <NUM> may contain a crosslinking agent in addition to the adhesive main agent.

As a material of the adhesive layer <NUM>, either an energy ray-curable adhesive that can be cured by energy rays or an energy ray-non-curable adhesive that is not cured by energy rays can be used. Among them, the energy ray-curable adhesive material is preferable as a material of the adhesive layer <NUM>, from the viewpoint that it is cured by energy ray irradiation to reduce the adhesive force so that the protective film <NUM> can be peeled off from the main surface 10A without adhesive residue.

Regarding the energy ray-curable adhesive material, the type of the energy ray is not particularly limited, and examples thereof include ultraviolet rays, electron beams, and infrared rays.

In addition to the adhesive main agent, the energy ray-curable adhesive material may contain a compound having a carbon-carbon double bond in the molecule and a photopolymerization initiator capable of initiating polymerization of the curable compound in response to energy rays. The curable compound is preferably a monomer, oligomer, or polymer having a carbon-carbon double bond in the molecule and being curable by radical polymerization.

The adhesive force of the adhesive layer <NUM> is not particularly limited, but it is preferable that the adhesive force thereof to the silicon wafer, as measured in accordance with JIS Z0237 when the adhesive layer <NUM> is affixed to the surface of the silicon wafer, left standing for <NUM> minutes, and then peeled off from the surface of the silicon wafer, should be <NUM> to <NUM> N/<NUM> (measured in an environment at a temperature of <NUM> and a relative humidity of <NUM>%), from the viewpoint of being able to suppress adhesive residue on the semiconductor wafer at the time of peeling while ensuring good adhesiveness to the semiconductor wafer. The adhesive force is more preferably <NUM> to <NUM> N/<NUM>, still more preferably <NUM> to <NUM> N/<NUM>.

The thickness of the adhesive layer <NUM> is not particularly limited, but is preferably <NUM> to <NUM>, more preferably <NUM> to <NUM>, still more preferably <NUM> to <NUM>, from the viewpoint that the adhesive layer <NUM> can be peeled off without adhesive residue while exhibiting suitable adhesive strength.

The material of the unevenness absorption layer <NUM> is not particularly limited as long as it has unevenness absorption property upon exhibition of fluidity or plasticity.

A thermoplastic resin is usually used as a material of the unevenness absorption layer <NUM>.

Specific examples of the thermoplastic resin include an olefin-based resin, an ethylene-polar monomer copolymer, an ABS resin, a vinyl chloride resin, a vinylidene chloride resin, a (meth)acryl-based resin, a polyamide-based resin, a fluorine-based resin, a polycarbonate-based resin, and a polyester-based resin. Among them, at least one selected from an olefin-based resin and an ethylene-polar monomer copolymer is preferable from the viewpoint of good unevenness absorption property.

Examples of the olefin-based resin include linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE), low density polyethylene, high density polyethylene, polypropylene, an ethylene-α-olefin copolymer containing ethylene and an α-olefin having <NUM> to <NUM> carbon atoms, a propylene-α-olefin copolymer containing propylene and an α-olefin having <NUM> to <NUM> carbon atoms, an ethylene-cyclic olefin copolymer, and an ethylene-α-olefin-cyclic olefin copolymer.

Examples of the ethylene-polar monomer copolymer include ethylene-unsaturated carboxylic acid ester copolymers such as an ethylene-ethyl (meth)acrylate copolymer, an ethylene-methyl (meth)acrylate copolymer, an ethylene-propyl (meth)acrylate copolymer, and an ethylene-butyl (meth)acrylate copolymer; and ethylene-vinyl ester copolymers such as an ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer, an ethylene-vinyl propionate copolymer, an ethylene-vinyl butyrate copolymer, and an ethylene-vinyl stearate copolymer.

The thermoplastic resins described above may be used alone, or two or more thereof may be used in combination.

The density of the unevenness absorption layer <NUM> is not particularly limited, but is preferably <NUM> to <NUM>/m<NUM>, more preferably <NUM> to <NUM>/m<NUM>, still more preferably <NUM> to <NUM>/m<NUM> from the viewpoint of the balance (rigidity and flexibility) between the flexibility associated with the unevenness absorption property and the rigidity associated with the durability in the back grinding step.

The thickness of the unevenness absorption layer <NUM> is not particularly limited as long as the unevenness absorption property for the unevenness shape due to the bumps <NUM> and the step due to the height difference between the first region <NUM> and the second region <NUM> can be exhibited, but is preferably <NUM> or more, more preferably <NUM> or more, still more preferably <NUM> or more from the viewpoint that the unevenness absorption property can be suitably exhibited.

A storage elastic modulus G'(<NUM>) of the unevenness absorption layer <NUM> at <NUM> is preferably <NUM> × <NUM><NUM> to <NUM> × <NUM><NUM> Pa, more preferably <NUM> × <NUM><NUM> to <NUM> × <NUM><NUM> Pa from the viewpoint that the unevenness absorption layer <NUM> can exhibit suitable unevenness absorption property by heating at the time of bonding the protective film <NUM>.

A storage elastic modulus G'(<NUM>) of the unevenness absorption layer <NUM> at <NUM> is preferably <NUM> × <NUM><NUM> to <NUM> × <NUM><NUM> Pa, more preferably <NUM> × <NUM><NUM> to <NUM> × <NUM><NUM> Pa from the viewpoint that the unevenness absorption layer <NUM> can retain its shape and maintain suitable adhesion to the main surface 10A after the protective film <NUM> is bonded.

An elastic modulus ratio G'(<NUM>)/G'(<NUM>) between the storage elastic modulus G'(<NUM>) and the storage elastic modulus G'(<NUM>) of the unevenness absorption layer <NUM> is preferably G'(<NUM>)/G'(<NUM>) < <NUM>, more preferably G'(<NUM>)/G'(<NUM>) ≤ <NUM>, still more preferably G'(<NUM>)/G'(<NUM>) ≤ <NUM> from the viewpoint that good unevenness absorption property can be exhibited and that good adhesion to the main surface 10A can be maintained.

The storage elastic modulus G' is measured using a dynamic viscoelasticity measuring device (for example, "RMS-<NUM>" manufactured by Rheometrics, Inc. ) under the conditions of a measurement frequency of <NUM> and a strain of <NUM> to <NUM>%, G'(<NUM>) is measured at <NUM>, and the storage elastic modulus G'(<NUM>) is measured at <NUM>.

The protective film <NUM> is not limited to the configuration including the base layer <NUM>, the adhesive layer <NUM>, and the unevenness absorption layer <NUM> described above, and may be configured to include any other layer between the base layer <NUM> and the unevenness absorption layer <NUM> or between the unevenness absorption layer <NUM> and the adhesive layer <NUM>.

Examples of the other layer include an interface strength improving layer that improves interface strength with the adhesive layer <NUM>, a migration prevention layer that suppresses migration of a low molecular weight component to the adhesive surface of the adhesive layer <NUM>, and an antistatic layer that prevents electrification of the protective film <NUM>. These may be used singly, or two or more thereof may be used in combination.

As a first use form of the affixing apparatus <NUM>, affixing of the film (<NUM>) to the plate-shaped body (<NUM>) by the affixing apparatus <NUM> will be described in detail.

In the following description, it is assumed that the plate-shaped body (<NUM>) is the semiconductor wafer <NUM> having the bumps <NUM> on the main surface 10A.

In the following description, the film (<NUM>) is the protective film <NUM> described above.

The affixing by the affixing apparatus <NUM> includes an arrangement step (see <FIG>) by the arrangement device <NUM> and an affixing step (see <FIG>) by the affixing device. In addition, this affixing step includes a compression step by the compression device (see <FIG>).

The semiconductor wafer <NUM> to which the protective film <NUM> is affixed by the affixing apparatus <NUM> has a desired thickness in the back grinding process, is divided into individual pieces, and is subjected to various types of processing to form a semiconductor component. That is, in a case where the plate-shaped body (<NUM>) is the semiconductor wafer <NUM>, the affixing apparatus <NUM> is included in a semiconductor component manufacturing apparatus.

Hereinafter, each step of affixing by the affixing apparatus <NUM> will be described.

In the arrangement step, as illustrated in <FIG>, the protective film <NUM> is supplied onto the main surface 10A of the semiconductor wafer <NUM>.

In this arrangement step, the supplied protective film <NUM> is arranged so as to cover the main surface 10A of the semiconductor wafer <NUM>.

A method for supplying the protective film <NUM> by the arrangement device <NUM> is not particularly limited, and either a batch type in which the protective film <NUM> is supplied one by one or a continuous type in which the protective film <NUM> is continuously supplied can be used. The method for supplying the protective film <NUM> illustrated in <FIG> is a batch method.

Further, the protective film <NUM> can be supplied in a circular shape in plan view corresponding to the main surface 10A by being cut by a cutter (not illustrated) or the like.

In the arrangement step illustrated in <FIG>, the protective film <NUM> is arranged such that an edge part (peripheral edge part) of protective film <NUM> protrudes outward from a peripheral edge of the second region <NUM> forming a notched step portion at the peripheral edge part of main surface 10A.

The protruding amount of the edge part of the protective film <NUM> is not particularly limited. From the viewpoint of reliably performing the compression step, the protruding amount is preferably set to an amount which allows the protruding edge part to be placed on the support surface 33A of the support member <NUM>.

The protruding amount of the edge part of the protective film <NUM> preferably has a certain width W<NUM> or more in plan view (see <FIG>). This is to fill the step of the blank region 13B in a portion of the protective film <NUM> sandwiched between the pressing member <NUM> and the support member <NUM> in the compression step.

The volume required to fill the step is appropriately adjusted according to conditions such as the height of the bumps <NUM>, the area of the blank region 13B occupying the main surface 10A of the semiconductor wafer <NUM>, and the thickness of the protective film <NUM>.

Therefore, with respect to the protruding amount of the edge part of the protective film <NUM>, the width W<NUM> in plan view is not particularly limited. In general, the width W<NUM> of the protruding amount is more preferably an amount which allows the edge part of the protective film <NUM> not to protrude further outward from the peripheral edge of the support surface 33A.

Specifically, regarding the protruding amount of the edge part of the protective film <NUM>, when the length between the position corresponding to the peripheral edge of the main surface 10A on the protective film <NUM> and the outer peripheral edge of the protective film <NUM> is a width W<NUM> in the above plan view, the width W<NUM> is preferably <NUM> to <NUM>, more preferably <NUM> to <NUM>, still more preferably <NUM> to <NUM>.

In the affixing step, as illustrated in <FIG>, the pressing member <NUM> is brought close to the main surface 10A of the semiconductor wafer <NUM>, and the protective film <NUM> is pressed against the main surface 10A by the pressing member <NUM> to be affixed.

This affixing step includes the compression step (see <FIG>).

The execution timing of the compression step in the affixing step is not particularly limited, and, for example, the start time of the compression step may be after the start of the affixing step, the end time of the compression step and the end time of the affixing step may be substantially simultaneous, and the end time of the compression step may be before the end of the affixing step.

In the affixing step, by heating the protective film <NUM> using the heating device, the thick portion (unevenness absorption layer <NUM>) of the protective film <NUM> can be suitably deformed in the compression step.

The heating temperature of the protective film <NUM> is not particularly limited as long as it is set to a temperature at which the unevenness absorption layer <NUM> can be suitably deformed according to the storage elastic modulus G' of the unevenness absorption layer <NUM> described above.

Specifically, the heating temperature of the protective film <NUM> is preferably <NUM> to <NUM>, more preferably <NUM> to <NUM>, still more preferably <NUM> to <NUM> as long as the storage elastic modulus G' of the unevenness absorption layer <NUM> is in the range described above.

In the compression step, the edge part of the protective film <NUM> arranged so as to protrude outward from the peripheral edge of the second region <NUM> serving as the step portion on the main surface 10A in the arrangement step is supported by the support member <NUM> as illustrated in <FIG>, and compressed by being sandwiched between the support member <NUM> and the pressing member <NUM>.

The compressive force at the time of compressing the edge part of the protective film <NUM> can be set by the pressing force by the pressing member <NUM>. The specific pressing force is preferably <NUM> to <NUM> MPa, more preferably <NUM> to <NUM> MPa, still more preferably <NUM> to <NUM> MPa from the viewpoint of suitably compressing the edge part of the protective film <NUM> and preventing cracking and occurrence of cracks of the semiconductor wafer <NUM>.

In the compression step, in the protective film <NUM> compressed in the thickness direction, a layer exhibiting fluidity or plasticity (unevenness absorption layer <NUM>) appropriately flows according to a step or unevenness, and causes offset of a thick portion that fills the step or the unevenness.

That is, on the first region <NUM> of the main surface 10A, the thick portion (unevenness absorption layer <NUM>) of the protective film <NUM> is sandwiched between the pressing member <NUM> and the bumps <NUM> and crushed in the thickness direction, and is deformed following the unevenness of the bumps <NUM> to fill the unevenness. A part of the thick portion of the protective film <NUM> crushed in the thickness direction flows onto the blank region 13B of the second region <NUM> as indicated by an arrow on the right side in <FIG>, so that the amount of thickness of the protective film <NUM> on the blank region surface 101A is increased.

On the other hand, the edge part of the protective film <NUM> is compressed between the support member <NUM> and the pressing member <NUM>. As indicated by an arrow on the left side in <FIG>, the thick portion (unevenness absorption layer <NUM>) of the edge part of the protective film <NUM> flows so as to be squeezed out onto the blank region surface 101A. As a result, the amount of thickness of the protective film <NUM> on the blank region surface 101A increases.

The thick portion flows into the protective film <NUM> on the blank region surface 101A from the first region <NUM> and the compressed edge part. Therefore, the protective film <NUM> is replenished with an amount of thickness sufficient to fill the step over the entire second region <NUM> serving as the step portion on the main surface 10A. As described above, in the protective film <NUM> on the blank region surface 101A replenished with the amount of thickness, the step over the entire second region <NUM> is filled by increasing the thickness.

In addition, since the surface of the protective film <NUM> is pressed by the pressing member <NUM>, the surface becomes flat following the pressing surface 32A without being affected by the flow of the thick portion.

In addition, in the compression step using the pressing member <NUM> and the support member <NUM>, the flow of the thick portion of the protective film <NUM> further outward from the peripheral edge of the main surface 10A is restricted.

That is, the edge part of the protective film <NUM> compressed in the thickness direction is held between the support member <NUM> and the pressing member <NUM>. Therefore, the flow of the thick portion further outward from the peripheral edge of the second region <NUM> is restricted, and the thick portion is maintained on the blank region surface 101A.

Then, as described above, the thick portion (unevenness absorption layer <NUM>) of the protective film <NUM> is thickly offset on the second region <NUM> of the main surface 10A, whereby the step on the main surface 10A is filled, and the surface of the protective film <NUM> becomes flat.

After the compression step, the semiconductor wafer <NUM> having the protective film <NUM> affixed to the main surface 10A is taken out from the affixing apparatus <NUM>, and a surplus portion such as an edge part of the compressed protective film <NUM> is cut off. In the semiconductor wafer <NUM>, as illustrated in <FIG>, the thick portion of the protective film <NUM> is thickly offset on the blank region surface 101A to fill the step.

In the above description, explanation has been made, taking the blank region 13B as an example of the second region <NUM>. However, similarly as in the blank region 13B, the thick portion of the protective film <NUM> is thickly offset on the second region <NUM> to fill the step, in the peripheral edge region 13A.

The surface of the protective film <NUM> affixed to the semiconductor wafer <NUM> becomes a uniform flat surface as a whole without forming a defect following the step of the semiconductor wafer <NUM>.

Note that <FIG> is an explanatory view of a case where the protective film <NUM> is affixed to the semiconductor wafer <NUM> having the above step on the main surface 10A by an affixing apparatus not including the compression device (support member <NUM>).

The protective film <NUM> has a resin volume amount (hereinafter, also referred to as "amount of thickness") at least sufficient for the unevenness absorption layer <NUM> to absorb the unevenness due to the bumps <NUM> in the first region <NUM>, but the amount of thickness is insufficient to fill the step between the first region <NUM> and the second region <NUM>, and the step cannot be filled.

In particular, the second region <NUM> has a large size (area occupying the main surface 10A), and the amount of thickness of the protective film <NUM> is significantly insufficient to fill the step over the entire second region <NUM>.

In addition, as indicated by an arrow in <FIG>, the thick portion (unevenness absorption layer <NUM>) of the protective film <NUM> flows so as to escape further outward from the peripheral edge of the main surface 10A of the semiconductor wafer <NUM>. The affixing apparatus that does not include the compression device (support member <NUM>) does not include a unit that restricts the flow of the thick portion.

A second use form of the affixing apparatus <NUM> will be described. In the second use form, an affixing apparatus <NUM> having the same configuration as that of the first use form is used.

The affixing by the affixing apparatus <NUM> in the second use form includes an arrangement step (see <FIG>) by the arrangement device <NUM> and an affixing step (see <FIG>) by the affixing device. In addition, this affixing step includes a compression step by the compression device (see <FIG>).

The second use form is different from the first use form described in (<NUM>) in the arrangement step and the compression step.

In the arrangement step of the second use form, as illustrated in <FIG>, the protective film <NUM> is arranged such that the edge part (peripheral edge part) of the protective film <NUM> is positioned on the inner peripheral side of the support member <NUM>.

That is, in this arrangement step, the edge part of the protective film <NUM> is not placed on the support surface 33A of the support member <NUM>.

In the arrangement step, in order to block the bulging of the protective film <NUM> in an outer peripheral direction of the second region <NUM> generated in the compression step by the inner peripheral surface of the support member <NUM>, it is desirable to shorten the distance between the edge part of the protective film <NUM> and the inner peripheral surface of the support member <NUM> in plan view as much as possible.

Specifically, the distance between the edge part of the protective film <NUM> and the inner peripheral surface of the support member <NUM> in plan view is preferably less than <NUM>, more preferably <NUM> or less, still more preferably <NUM> or less. Most preferably, the distance between the edge part of the protective film <NUM> and the inner peripheral surface of the support member <NUM> in plan view is <NUM>, that is, the edge part of the protective film <NUM> is in contact with the inner peripheral surface of the support member <NUM>.

In the affixing step of the second use form, the protective film <NUM> is affixed to the main surface 10A of the semiconductor wafer <NUM> using the pressing member <NUM> in the same manner as in the affixing step of the first use form (see <FIG>). This affixing step includes the compression step (see <FIG>).

The details of this affixing step are the same as those of the affixing step of the first use form, and the description thereof will be omitted below.

In the compression step of the second use form, the protective film <NUM> sandwiched between the pressing member <NUM> and the main surface 10A tries to bulge the thick portion (unevenness absorption layer <NUM>) from its edge part (peripheral edge part) in the outer peripheral direction of the second region <NUM> serving as the step portion on the main surface 10A. The bulging of the thick portion (unevenness absorption layer <NUM>) is blocked by the inner peripheral surface of the support member <NUM> as indicated by an arrow on the left side in <FIG>.

In the edge part of the protective film <NUM>, the thick portion (unevenness absorption layer <NUM>) blocked by the inner peripheral surface of the support member <NUM> remains on the blank region surface 101A, and the thick portion flows from the first region <NUM> onto the blank region surface 101A, so that the entire second region <NUM> serving as the step portion on the main surface 10A is replenished with the amount of thickness sufficient to fill the step.

The thickness of the edge part of the protective film <NUM> on the blank region surface 101A is increased by the edge part being replenished with the amount of thickness. Therefore, the compression step is a step of compressing the edge part of the protective film <NUM> by the pressing surface 32A of the pressing member <NUM>, the inner peripheral surface of the support member <NUM>, and the main surface 10A of the semiconductor wafer <NUM>. Over the entire second region <NUM>, the step is filled with the edge part of the compressed protective film <NUM>.

When the first use form is compared with the second use form, the edge part of the protective film <NUM> is compressed and crushed between the support member <NUM> and the pressing member <NUM> in the first use form. On the other hand, the second use form is different in that the bulging of the protective film <NUM> is blocked by the inner peripheral surface of the support member <NUM> without compressing the edge part of the protective film <NUM> between the support member <NUM> and the pressing member <NUM>.

When the protective film <NUM> has a layer capable of exhibiting fluidity or plasticity, that is, the unevenness absorption layer <NUM>, the effects obtained by the above difference can be more remarkably produced.

That is, when the protective film <NUM> has a layer (unevenness absorption layer <NUM>) capable of exhibiting fluidity or plasticity and the first use form is implemented, the layer (unevenness absorption layer <NUM>) constituting the edge part is caused to flow and extruded to the second region <NUM> of the main surface 10A, so that not only the portion extruded from the first region <NUM> but also the portion extruded from the outer edge part of the second region <NUM> can be used to replenish the amount of thickness.

In other words, briefly, in the first use form, the unevenness absorption layer <NUM> of the protective film <NUM> is pushed out from both the inner peripheral edge part and the outer peripheral edge part of the peripheral edge part enclosing the second region <NUM> to this second region <NUM> to fill the step.

On the other hand, when the protective film <NUM> has a layer (unevenness absorption layer <NUM>) capable of exhibiting fluidity or plasticity and the second use form is implemented, the layer (unevenness absorption layer <NUM>) constituting the edge part cannot be caused to flow or extruded to the second region <NUM> of the main surface 10A, and it is necessary to replenish the amount of thickness only with the portion extruded from the first region <NUM>.

In other words, briefly, in the second use form, the unevenness absorption layer <NUM> of the protective film <NUM> is pushed out from only the inner peripheral edge part of the peripheral edge part enclosing the second region <NUM> to this second region <NUM> to fill the step.

Therefore, when the protective film <NUM> has a layer (unevenness absorption layer <NUM>) capable of exhibiting fluidity or plasticity, the first use form can also correspond to the semiconductor wafer <NUM> having a larger blank region 13B and can be said to be more advantageous than the second use form, in that the layer (unevenness absorption layer <NUM>) constituting the edge part outside the second region <NUM> can be used to fill the step of the second region <NUM>.

In an affixing apparatus, a film (<NUM>) is affixed to a plate-shaped body (<NUM>).

The plate-shaped body (<NUM>) has a step on the main surface 10A to which the film (<NUM>) is affixed.

The affixing apparatus includes a mounting member <NUM> and a pressing member (<NUM>), and also includes an arrangement device (<NUM>) and a processing device (<NUM>).

The mounting member <NUM> has a plate shape. The mounting member <NUM> is provided with a mounting portion 31A on which the plate-shaped body (<NUM>) is mounted (see <FIG>).

The pressing member (<NUM>) has a plate shape. The pressing member (<NUM>) is installed at a position facing the mounting member <NUM> (see <FIG>).

The arrangement device (<NUM>) is a mechanism that arranges the film (<NUM>) on the main surface 10A. The arrangement device (<NUM>) is installed between the mounting member <NUM> and the pressing member <NUM> (see <FIG>).

The processing device <NUM> is a mechanism that forms a site having a relatively large thickness on the film (<NUM>) arranged on the main surface 10A such that it corresponds to the step of the main surface 10A (see <FIG> and <FIG>).

A first form of the affixing apparatus specifically includes a mounting member <NUM>, a pressing member <NUM>, an arrangement device <NUM>, and, further, a processing device <NUM>.

In addition, the processing device <NUM> may be incorporated in the affixing apparatus <NUM> or may be installed outside the affixing apparatus <NUM>. That is, whether or not the processing device <NUM> is integrated with the affixing apparatus <NUM> is not particularly limited.

The configuration and the like of the processing device <NUM> are not particularly limited as long as the processing device has a configuration capable of forming a site having a relatively large thickness on the film (<NUM>) such that it corresponds to the step on the main surface 10A.

As the processing device <NUM>, a mechanism having the configuration illustrated in <FIG> can be exemplified.

Specifically, the processing device <NUM> includes a first roller <NUM> and a second roller <NUM>.

The first roller <NUM> is rotatably supported above the film (<NUM>).

The second roller <NUM> is rotatably supported below the film (<NUM>).

The first roller <NUM> and the second roller <NUM> are arranged so as to face each other with the film (<NUM>) interposed therebetween.

On the peripheral surface of the second roller <NUM>, a plurality of protrusions <NUM> are provided to protrude.

The materials, driving methods, configurations, and the like of the first roller <NUM>, the second roller <NUM>, and the protrusion <NUM> are not particularly limited as long as the film (<NUM>) can be processed.

In the affixing apparatus, affixing of the film (<NUM>) to the plate-shaped body (<NUM>) according to the first form will be described in detail.

The affixing according to the first form includes a processing step (see <FIG>) by the processing device <NUM>, an arrangement step (see <FIG>) by the arrangement device <NUM> of the affixing apparatus <NUM>, and an affixing step (see <FIG>) by the affixing device (the mounting member <NUM> and the pressing member <NUM>) of the affixing apparatus <NUM>.

The semiconductor wafer <NUM> to which the protective film <NUM> is affixed by the affixing apparatus of the first form has a desired thickness in the back grinding process, is divided into individual pieces, and is subjected to various types of processing to form a semiconductor component. That is, in a case where the plate-shaped body (<NUM>) is the semiconductor wafer <NUM>, the affixing apparatus is included in a semiconductor component manufacturing apparatus.

Hereinafter, each step of affixing according to the first form will be described.

In the processing step, as illustrated in <FIG>, the protective film <NUM> is supplied between the first roller <NUM> and the second roller <NUM> of the processing device <NUM>, and the protective film <NUM> is sent out from between the first roller <NUM> and the second roller <NUM> in a traveling direction indicated by an arrow in <FIG>.

In the processing device <NUM>, the protective film <NUM> rotates each of the first roller <NUM> and the second roller <NUM> when being sandwiched between the first roller <NUM> and the second roller <NUM> and sent out in the traveling direction.

The second roller <NUM> has a protrusion <NUM> formed on a peripheral surface thereof, and, as illustrated in <FIG>, the protrusion <NUM> is brought into contact with the protective film <NUM> as the second roller rotates. Then, the site of the protective film <NUM> in contact with the protrusion <NUM> is crushed in the thickness direction between this protrusion <NUM> and the first roller <NUM>.

As indicated by an arrow in <FIG>, the thick portion (unevenness absorption layer <NUM>) at the crushed site of the protective film <NUM> flows to a site adjacent to the crushed site and is offset. For this reason, the site adjacent to the crushed site has an increased amount of thickness.

In the protective film <NUM>, sites different in thicknesses are formed such that the crushed site is thin and the site adjacent to the crushed site is thick, whereby a processed film 20A is obtained. The processed film 20A has a region <NUM> having a relatively large thickness among the sites different in thickness.

In the arrangement step, as illustrated in <FIG>, the pressing member <NUM> is separated from the semiconductor wafer <NUM> fixed to the mounting portion 31A of the mounting member <NUM>, and then the processed film 20A obtained in the processing step is supplied onto the main surface 10A of the semiconductor wafer <NUM>.

At this time, the processed film 20A is arranged such that the region <NUM> having a relatively large thickness corresponds to the second region <NUM> forming the step portion at the peripheral edge part of the main surface 10A, whereby the region <NUM> is positioned above the blank region surface 101A.

Note that, although not particularly illustrated, the arrangement device <NUM> can adjust the position of the processed film 20A by appropriately rotating or stopping a traction roller 35B such that the region <NUM> where the thickness of the processed film 20A is relatively thick corresponds to the second region <NUM> serving as the step portion on the main surface 10A.

In addition, beside the semiconductor wafer <NUM>, a support member <NUM> is installed along the outer peripheral edge of the second region <NUM>.

In the affixing step, as illustrated in <FIG>, the edge part of the protective film <NUM> is supported by the support member <NUM>, the pressing member <NUM> is brought close to the main surface 10A of the semiconductor wafer <NUM>, and the protective film <NUM> is pressed against the main surface 10A by the pressing member <NUM>.

In the affixing step, on the first region <NUM> of the main surface 10A, the thick portion (unevenness absorption layer <NUM>) of the processed film 20A sandwiched between the pressing member <NUM> and the bump <NUM> and crushed in the thickness direction is deformed following the unevenness of the bumps <NUM> to fill the unevenness.

In the affixing step, the edge part of the protective film <NUM> is sandwiched between the support member <NUM> and the pressing member <NUM>. Therefore, the flow of the thick portion from above the blank region surface 101A to the edge part of the protective film <NUM> is restricted.

As indicated by an arrow in <FIG>, a part of the thick portion of the processed film 20A crushed in the thickness direction flows onto the blank region 13B of the second region <NUM> serving as the step portion on the main surface 10A, and the amount of thickness of the processed film 20A on the blank region surface 101A is increased.

In the processed film 20A, the region <NUM> having a relatively large thickness is arranged on the blank region surface 101A (see <FIG>). By adding the amount of thickness of the thick portion flowing from above the first region <NUM> to the amount of thickness of the region <NUM>, the amount of thickness of the processed film 20A on the blank region surface 101A further increases (see <FIG>).

In the processed film 20A, the site adjacent to the region <NUM> having a relatively large thickness is crushed and thinned in the processing step described above. For this reason, the thick portion is suppressed from escaping further outward from the peripheral edge of the second region <NUM> through the crushed and thinned site.

The site crushed and thinned in the processing step is sandwiched between the support member <NUM> and the pressing member <NUM>, and this also prevents the thick portion from escaping further outward from the peripheral edge of the second region <NUM>.

In the affixing according to the first form, the protective film <NUM> is processed in the processing step to obtain the processed film 20A having the region <NUM> having a relatively large thickness. The region <NUM> of the processed film 20A is arranged so as to correspond to the second region <NUM> of the main surface 10A in the arrangement step. Then, in the affixing step, the thick portion further flows from above the first region <NUM>, so that the entire second region <NUM> is replenished with a sufficient amount of thickness to fill the step.

As described above, the processed film 20A replenished with the amount of thickness on the blank region surface 101A fills the step over the entire second region <NUM> by increasing the thickness.

In addition, since the surface of the processed film 20A is pressed by the pressing member <NUM>, the surface becomes flat following the pressing surface 32A without being affected by the flow of the thick portion.

In the above description, explanation has been made, taking the blank region 13B as an example of the second region <NUM>. However, similarly as in the blank region 13B, the thick portion of the processed film 20A is thickly offset on the second region <NUM> to fill the step, in the peripheral edge region 13A.

Further, the blank region 13B is not limited to the one mainly used as the identification region as illustrated in <FIG>, and the same effects can be obtained also in the blank region 13B as illustrated in <FIG>.

That is, the first form of the affixing apparatus is particularly useful in the case where the plate-shaped body (<NUM>) is the semiconductor wafer <NUM> in which the blank region 13B having the flat blank region surface 101A exists in the second region <NUM> which is a region where no bumps are arranged.

An affixing apparatus <NUM> according to a second form includes a mounting member <NUM>, a pressing member <NUM>, and, further, an arrangement device and a processing device.

Specifically, as illustrated in <FIG>, the affixing apparatus <NUM> includes the mounting member <NUM>, the pressing member <NUM>, and a support column <NUM> as the arrangement device and the processing device.

As the mounting member <NUM> and the pressing member <NUM>, the same members as those described above can be used, and the detailed descriptions of the respective members will be omitted.

The affixing apparatus <NUM> of the second form has a support column <NUM>.

The support column <NUM> is installed at an outer edge of the mounting portion 31A so as to rise toward the pressing member <NUM>.

The film (<NUM>) is arranged such that its edge part (peripheral edge part) is positioned between the support column <NUM> and the pressing member <NUM>. The support column <NUM> supports the edge part (peripheral edge part) of the film (<NUM>) from below. The support column <NUM> has a function of crushing the edge part (peripheral edge part) of the film (<NUM>) by being sandwiched between itself and the pressing member <NUM>.

Further, the support column <NUM> is configured such that it can be raised and lowered with respect to the mounting member <NUM>. The support column <NUM> separates the film (<NUM>) from the main surface 10A of the plate-shaped body (<NUM>) in a state of being raised from the mounting member <NUM>. The support column <NUM> has a function of arranging the film (<NUM>) on the main surface 10A of the plate-shaped body (<NUM>) by being lowered to the mounting member <NUM> from this state.

That is, the support column <NUM> has a function as a processing device for processing the film (<NUM>) and a function as an arrangement device for arranging the film (<NUM>) on the main surface 10A.

The material, driving method, and the like of the support column <NUM> are not particularly limited as long as the film (<NUM>) can be processed as described above.

The affixing of the film (<NUM>) to the plate-shaped body (<NUM>) by the affixing apparatus <NUM> according to the second form will be described in detail.

The affixing by the affixing apparatus <NUM> of the second form includes a processing step (see <FIG>) by the support column <NUM> as the processing device, an arrangement step (see <FIG>) by the support column <NUM> as the arrangement device, and an affixing step (not illustrated) by the affixing device of the affixing apparatus <NUM>.

The semiconductor wafer <NUM> to which the protective film <NUM> is affixed by the affixing apparatus has a desired thickness in the back grinding process, is divided into individual pieces, and is subjected to various types of processing to form a semiconductor component. That is, the affixing apparatus is included in a semiconductor component manufacturing apparatus.

Hereinafter, each step of affixing according to the second form will be described.

In the processing step, as illustrated in <FIG>, when the pressing member <NUM> lowers, the edge part of the protective film <NUM> supported by the support column <NUM> is sandwiched between the pressing member <NUM> and the support column <NUM> and crushed in the thickness direction.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the thick portion (unevenness absorption layer <NUM>) at the crushed portion of the protective film <NUM> flows to the site adjacent to the crushed site and is offset, so that the amount of thickness at the adjacent site is increased.

In the protective film <NUM>, sites different in thicknesses are formed such that the crushed site is thin and the site adjacent to the crushed site is thick, and a processed film 20A is obtained. The processed film 20A has the region <NUM> having a relatively large thickness among the sites different in thickness.

In the arrangement step, as illustrated in <FIG>, the support column <NUM> is lowered to the mounting member <NUM>, whereby the protective film <NUM> is arranged on the main surface 10A.

In processed film 20A, the position of region <NUM> having a relatively large thickness can correspond to the second region <NUM> forming the step portion at the peripheral edge part of the main surface 10A.

That is, the support column <NUM> is installed at the outer edge of the mounting portion 31A. Therefore, when the semiconductor wafer <NUM> is placed on the mounting portion 31A, the position of the region <NUM> can be made to correspond to the position of the second region <NUM> by aligning the support column <NUM> and the second region <NUM>.

In the affixing step, the support column <NUM> is lowered to the mounting member <NUM>, the protective film <NUM> is arranged on the main surface 10A, and then the pressing member <NUM> is lowered.

In the pressing member <NUM>, the protective film <NUM> is affixed to the main surface 10A by pressing the protective film <NUM> against the main surface 10A.

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in more detail by way of examples.

As the protective film <NUM>, a film pasted to a <NUM>-inch ring frame was used.

The configuration of the protective film <NUM>, the base layer <NUM>, the adhesive layer <NUM>, and the unevenness absorption layer <NUM> are as follows.

Base layer <NUM>: material: polyethylene terephthalate film; thickness: <NUM>.

Adhesive layer <NUM>: material: UV curable acrylic adhesive; thickness: <NUM>.

Unevenness absorption layer <NUM>: material: thermoplastic ethylene-α-olefin copolymer (density: <NUM>/cm<NUM>, G' (<NUM>): <NUM> MPa, G' (<NUM>): <NUM> MPa, melt flow rate (<NUM>): <NUM>/<NUM>); thickness: <NUM>.

As the semiconductor wafer <NUM> provided with the bumps <NUM>, one having the following specifications was used.

The support member <NUM> (thickness: <NUM>, width W<NUM>: <NUM>) formed in an annular shape in plan view was mounted at an outer edge of the mounting portion 31A on the mounting member <NUM> using the affixing apparatus <NUM> illustrated in <FIG>, and the pressing surface 32A of the pressing member <NUM> was made of iron.

After setting the semiconductor wafer <NUM> inside the support member <NUM>, the protective film <NUM> was supplied in a batch manner in the arrangement step, and the protective film <NUM> was arranged so as to cover the main surface 10A of the semiconductor wafer <NUM>.

Thereafter, the heating temperature of the protective film <NUM> was set to <NUM>, the pressing force by the pressing member <NUM> was set to <NUM> MPa, and each step was performed in the order of the affixing step and the compression step to affix the protective film <NUM> to the main surface 10A of the semiconductor wafer <NUM>.

Then, in the peripheral edge part of the protective film <NUM>, a surplus portion protruding from the outer peripheral edge of the semiconductor wafer <NUM> was cut off to obtain a sample of Example <NUM>.

A sample of Comparative Example <NUM> was obtained by affixing the protective film <NUM> to the main surface 10A of the semiconductor wafer <NUM> and cutting off a surplus portion of the peripheral edge part of the protective film <NUM> in the same manner as in Example <NUM> except that a roll pasting apparatus (product number "DR-<NUM> II" manufactured by Nitto Seiki Co. ) was used and that the support member <NUM> was not used.

A sample of Comparative Example <NUM> was obtained by affixing the protective film <NUM> to the main surface 10A of the semiconductor wafer <NUM> and cutting off a surplus portion of the peripheral edge part of the protective film <NUM> in the same manner as in Example <NUM> except that the pressing surface 32A was made of silicone rubber and that the support member <NUM> was not used in the affixing apparatus <NUM> illustrated in <FIG>.

At the end of the peripheral edge of the semiconductor wafer, the vertical position of the surface of the protective film at a predetermined horizontal position was measured with the position shown in the explanatory diagram in the lower part of <FIG> as a horizontal position of <NUM> and a vertical position of <NUM>. The results are shown graphically in the upper part of <FIG>.

Note that, in the explanatory diagram in the lower part of <FIG>, the horizontal position is drawn to correspond to the upper graph, and the vertical position is drawn to be exaggerated.

As a result of measuring the vertical position of the surface of the protective film, the following facts were found from the graph in <FIG>.

In Example <NUM>, there was almost no height difference in the vertical position at any horizontal position, and the surface of the protective film was flat.

In Comparative Example <NUM>, the vertical position is low around a horizontal position of <NUM>, that is, in the second region, and the vertical position is high in the range where the horizontal position is <NUM> to <NUM>, that is, in the first region. From this result, it was found that, in Comparative Example <NUM>, a dent was formed on the surface of the protective film in the second region so as to correspond to the step generated between the second region and the first region.

In Comparative Example <NUM>, the vertical position tends to increase in the range where the horizontal position is <NUM> or less, that is, in the second region, while the vertical position tends to decrease in the range where the horizontal position is <NUM> or more, that is, in the first region. From this result, it was found that, in Comparative Example <NUM>, the protective film was bent in a mountain shape in the second region due to the influence of the step generated between the second region and the first region, and that a dent was formed on the surface of the protective film in the first region.

Claim 1:
An affixing apparatus (<NUM>) for affixing a film (<NUM>) to a plate-shaped body (<NUM>), comprising:
a plate-shaped mounting member (<NUM>) provided with a mounting portion (31A) on which the plate-shaped body (<NUM>) can be mounted;
a plate-shaped pressing member (<NUM>) installed at a position facing the mounting member (<NUM>); and
a support member (<NUM>) installed at an outer edge of the mounting portion (31A) so as to be positioned between the mounting member (<NUM>) and the pressing member (<NUM>),
wherein the pressing member (<NUM>) has a pressing surface (32A) in contact with the film (<NUM>), and
wherein the support member (<NUM>) has a support surface (33A) facing the pressing surface (32A), and
wherein the pressing member (<NUM>) is adapted to press the film (<NUM>) against a main surface (10A) of the plate-shaped body (<NUM>), characterized in that
the support member (<NUM>) is adapted to support an edge part of the film (<NUM>) when the film (<NUM>) is pressed by the pressing member (<NUM>), and
the affixing apparatus (<NUM>) is adapted to sandwich the edge part of the film (<NUM>) between the support member (<NUM>) and the pressing member (<NUM>) and compressing the edge part in a thickness direction of the film (<NUM>).