Patent ID: 8461023

Claim:
A method for singulating a die from a semiconductor substrate having an oxide layer disposed on the semiconductor substrate and a semiconductor layer disposed on the oxide layer, the method comprising the steps of: anisotropically etching a first trench in the semiconductor substrate around the die to be singulated to expose one side of the oxide layer; anisotropically etching a second trench in the semiconductor layer around the die to be singulated to expose another side of the oxide layer, with the second trench being laterally offset from the first trench around at least a portion of the die to be singulated; providing a release fixture proximate to the semiconductor substrate, with the release fixture having a die pocket to receive the die to be singulated; etching away the oxide layer between the first trench and the second trench and thereby singulating the die from the semiconductor substrate; and catching the singulated die in the die pocket of the release fixture.