Method of separating electronic devices having a back layer and apparatus

1. A method of singulating a wafer comprising:

providing a wafer having a plurality of die formed as part of the wafer and separated from each other by spaces, wherein the wafer has first and second opposing major surfaces, and wherein a layer of material is formed atop the second major surface, and wherein the layer of material comprises one or more of a conductive material, a wafer-back coating, or a die-attach film adapted to remain at least in part atop surfaces of the plurality of die upon completion of the method of singulating the wafer;

placing the wafer onto a carrier substrate so that the layer of material is interposed between the carrier substrate and the wafer;

etching portions of the wafer through the spaces to form singulation lines, wherein etching comprises leaving portions of the layer of material underlying the singulation lines; and

separating the layer of material underlying the singulation lines by:

applying pressure to the wafer; and

applying high frequency vibrations to fatigue the layer of material during at least a portion of the step of applying pressure to the wafer.

2. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

providing an apparatus comprising a compression structure, a support structure, and a transducer system configured to apply the high frequency vibrations; and

placing the wafer and the carrier substrate adjacent the support structure before the step of separating.

3. The method of claim 2 , wherein:

the high frequency vibrations are applied through the support structure.

4. The method of claim 2 , wherein:

providing the apparatus comprises providing the compression structure comprising a pressure transfer vessel containing a fluid; and

the high frequency vibrations are applied through the fluid.

5. The method of claim 2 , wherein:

providing the compression structure comprises providing a containment structure with a chamber portion: and

applying the pressure comprises providing a pressurized fluid in the chamber portion to push a pressure transfer vessel against the wafer.

6. The method of claim 2 , wherein:

providing the compression structure comprises providing a compression plate within a chamber portion; and

applying the pressure comprises moving the compression plate against a pressure transfer vessel.

7. The method of claim 1 , wherein applying the high frequency vibrations comprises providing the high frequency vibrations having a frequency in a range from about 10,000 Hz to about 30,000 Hz.

8. The method of claim 1 , wherein separating further comprises:

changing temperature of the wafer during at least a portion of the step of applying the high frequency vibrations.

9. The method of claim 8 , wherein changing comprises heating.

10. The method of claim 8 , wherein changing comprises cooling.

11. A method of singulating a wafer comprising:

providing a wafer having a plurality of die formed as part of the wafer and separated from each other by spaces, wherein the wafer has first and second opposing major surfaces, and wherein a layer of material is formed atop the second major surface, and wherein portions of the layer of material are adapted to remain atop surfaces of the plurality of die after completion of the method of singulating the wafer;

placing the wafer onto a carrier substrate;

etching the wafer through the spaces to form singulation lines, wherein etching comprises leaving at least a portion of the layer of material over the singulation lines; and

placing the wafer and the carrier substrate adjacent a support structure;

providing a compression structure having a lateral width greater than that of the wafer; and

separating the layer of material over the singulation lines by:

applying a pressure to the wafer by using the compression structure; and

applying mechanical vibrations to fatigue the layer of material during at least a portion of the step of applying the pressure.

12. The method of claim 11 , wherein:

providing the compression structure comprises providing a pressure transfer vessel containing a fluid; and

applying the mechanical vibration comprises applying through the fluid.

13. The method of claim 12 , wherein:

providing the compression structure comprises providing a compression plate adjoining the pressure transfer vessel;

the compression plate is configured to provide a downward pressure on the pressure transfer vessel; and

the compression plate has a surface having a convex shape in a cross-sectional view.

14. The method of claim 11 , further comprising applying heat to the wafer during at least a portion of the step of applying the pressure.

15. The method of claim 11 , further comprising cooling the wafer during at least a portion of the step of applying the pressure.

16. The method of claim 11 , wherein applying the mechanical vibrations comprises applying through one or more of the compression structure or the support structure.

17. A method of singulating a wafer comprising:

providing a semiconductor wafer having a plurality of die formed within the semiconductor wafer and separated from each other by spaces, wherein the semiconductor wafer has first and second opposing major surfaces, and wherein a layer of material is formed atop the second major surface, and wherein portions of the layer of material are adapted to remain atop surfaces of the plurality of die after completion of the method of singulating the semiconductor wafer;

placing the semiconductor wafer onto a carrier substrate such that the layer of material is interposed between the carrier substrate and the semiconductor wafer;

singulating the semiconductor wafer through the spaces to form singulation lines, wherein singulating comprises leaving at least a portion of the layer of material underlying the singulation lines; and

separating the layer of material underlying the singulation lines by:

applying pressure to the semiconductor wafer; and

applying high frequency vibrations to fatigue the layer of material during at least a portion of the step of applying pressure to the semiconductor wafer.

18. The method of claim 17 , further comprising:

providing an apparatus comprising a compression structure, a support structure, and a transducer system configured to apply the high frequency vibrations; and

placing the semiconductor wafer and the carrier substrate adjacent the support structure.

19. The method of claim 18 , wherein:

the high frequency vibrations are applied to one or more of the compression structure or the support structure.

20. The method of claim 18 , wherein:

providing the apparatus comprises providing the compression structure comprising a pressure transfer vessel containing a fluid; and

the high frequency vibrations are applied to the fluid.