Patent ID: 7696010

Claim:
A method of dividing a wafer having a plurality of dividing lines which are formed in a lattice pattern on the front surface and devices which are formed in a plurality of areas sectioned by the plurality of dividing lines, into individual devices along the dividing lines, comprising: a deteriorated layer forming step for forming a deteriorated layer in the inside of the wafer along the dividing lines by applying a laser beam of a wavelength having permeability for the wafer along the dividing lines; a wafer supporting step for putting the rear surface of the wafer on the surface of an adhesive tape which is mounted on an annular frame and whose adhesive strength is reduced by applying ultraviolet radiation thereto; an adhesive strength reducing step for reducing the adhesive strength of the adhesive tape by applying ultraviolet radiation to the adhesive tape mounting the wafer where the deteriorated layer has been formed along the dividing lines; and a dividing step for dividing the wafer into individual devices along the dividing lines where the deteriorated layer has been formed by exerting external force to the wafer affixed to the adhesive tape whose adhesive strength has been reduced after the adhesive strength reducing step.