Patent ID: 7307010

Claim:
A method for processing a wafer less than 200 μm thick having front and rear sides and having at least one semiconductor element contained therein, the method comprising: depositing a metal layer, which forms electrodes, on the front side of the wafer; arranging the wafer onto an electrostatic chuck, the front side of the wafer facing the chuck so that a surface of the electrodes is adjacent to a surface of the electrostatic chuck; thinning down the wafer from the rear side while the wafer is still on the chuck; applying an electrically conductive film with an adhesion promoting layer to the rear side of the wafer while the wafer is still on the chuck; and structuring the electrodes on the front side of the wafer after releasing the front side of the wafer from the chuck, wherein the conductive film is maintained on the rear side of the wafer.