Patent ID: 7989319

Claim:
A method of singulating semiconductor die from a semiconductor wafer comprising: providing the semiconductor wafer having a semiconductor substrate and also having a plurality of semiconductor dies formed on the semiconductor substrate wherein the semiconductore dies are separated from each other by portions of the semiconductor wafer and wherein the portions of the semiconductor wafer are in positions where singulation lines are to be formed, the semiconductor wafer having a top surface and a bottom surface; forming a trench in the portions of the semiconductor wafer wherein the trench surrounds a perimeter of each of the plurality of semiconductor dies including forming a dielectric layer on sidewalls of the trench and a filler material within the trench and abutting the dielectric layer that is on the sidewalls; forming a dielectric layer overlying portions of the plurality of semiconductore dies; etching a first opening through the dielectric layer that is overlying portions of the plurality of semiconductor dies and etching any underlying layers to expose at least the filler material of the trench; and etching a second opening through the filler material and through any portion of the semiconductor substrate that is underlying the filler material so that the second opening extends from the top surface of the semiconductor wafer completely through the semiconductor substrate wherein the etching of the second opening is performed through the first opening.