AN APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLED CLEAVING

摘要

An Apparatus and method for controlled cleaving is presented. Embodiments of the present invention include an apparatus for cleaving a substrate comprising a bottom shell coupled to a hinge mechanism, a top shell coupled to the hinge mechanism, a plurality of o-rings or suction cups coupled to the top and bottom shells for providing a suction force sufficient to exert a tensile force to the top and bottom of a substrate, a compliant member for sealing a portion of a grove edge of a substrate and for maintaining a pressure inside a volume formed between the groove edge and the groove edge of the substrate, a gas port for supplying gas to the volume, and a height adjustment mechanism coupled to the top shell and the bottom shell for separating the top shell from the bottom shell. One embodiment of the invention eliminates the use of gas system and is replaced by a blade edge to initiate propagation and applied tensile force of suction cups to apply tensile forces prior to initiation, control cleave process and maintain layer separation during and after cleaving.