Patent ID: 8859396

Claim:
A method of singulating semiconductor die from a semiconductor wafer, the method comprising: providing the semiconductor wafer formed from a silicon semiconductor material and having a plurality of semiconductor dies formed on a first surface of the semiconductor wafer, the plurality of semiconductor dies separated from each other by singulation regions where singulation openings are to be formed wherein the plurality of semiconductor dies include a dielectric layer overlying portions of the plurality of semiconductor dies, the semiconductor wafer including a second surface that is opposite to the first surface; forming a conductor on the second surface of the semiconductor wafer, the conductor having a thickness; reducing the thickness of portions of the conductor to form a reduced thickness region of the conductor; attaching the semiconductor wafer to a carrier tape wherein the conductor overlies the carrier tape; and etching a first opening to extend into the semiconductor wafer thereby creating a space between the plurality of semiconductor dies wherein the carrier tape remains attached during the etching.