Method for thinning a semiconductor wafer

摘要

A method for thinning a semiconductor wafer (11) is provided. An support film (15) is mounted to the semiconductor wafer (11). The support film (15) provides support for a semiconductor wafer during thinning as well as protection for a front-side (12) of the semiconductor wafer (11). After mounting the support film (15) to the semiconductor wafer (11), a back-side (13) of the semiconductor wafer is etched in a two step process. First the back-side (13) undergoes a mechanical grinding followed by a chemical etch. A metal film (18) may be sputtered on the back-side (13). The semiconductor wafer (11) having the support film (15) is placed in a tape frame (20) for dicing operations and the support film (15) is removed from the front-side (12) of the semiconductor wafer (11).