Patent ID: 8461019

Claim:
A method of processing a device wafer having a device region including a plurality of crossing division lines on a front surface thereof and a plurality of devices formed in respective areas that are sectioned by the division lines, and an excessive outer circumferential region surrounding said device region, comprising: a carrier wafer preparing step of preparing a carrier wafer to which said device wafer is to be bonded, said carrier wafer including an excessive carrier region on a surface thereof which is disposed in a position corresponding to said excessive outer circumferential region of said device wafer; a recess forming step of forming a recess in said excessive carrier region on a front surface of said carrier wafer; after performing said recess forming step, an adhesive placing step of placing an adhesive in said recess so as to project from the front surface of said carrier wafer; after performing said adhesive placing step, a wafer bonding step of bonding the front surface of said carrier wafer and the front surface of said device wafer to each other, thereby fixing said device wafer to said carrier wafer with said adhesive; and after performing said wafer bonding step, a thinning step of thinning said device wafer to a predetermined thickness by grinding or polishing a rear surface of said device wafer.