Semiconductors

Synova’s unique water jet guided laser systems offer many advantages for applications in the semiconductor industry compared to conventional diamond blade saws or laser systems. The Laser MicroJet® combines the accuracy of a laser with the cooling and guiding capabilities of a thin water jet. This unique approach results in smooth edges, high wafer fracture strength, and less risk of breakage.

The LMJ is ideally suited for processing a wide range of semiconductor materials, including silicon (Si), gallium arsenide (GaAs), silicon carbide (SiC), low-K materials and even coated materials such as Epoxy molded compound wafers of various thicknesses. Thanks to its minimal thermal impact, the LMJ ensures that material integrity is preserved throughout the entire cutting process.

Typical semiconductor applications include wafer downsizing, wafer trimming, edge grinding, and wafer dicing. The LMJ is also used for processing semiconductor equipment and consumables, including hole drilling, slot cutting, etching, and the machining of special shapes.

Despite the limited time I could get a first in-depth insight into the LMJ potential for ablating TBC and superalloy materials. We could also identify first promising process windows for ablation at high removal rates, particularly for metals, with quality still likely to meet our typical production requirements.

The LMJ process has a particular strength in the processing of superalloy metal material. Here the benefit from the local cooling by the water jet and the tolerant focus position are real assets, allowing to realize high removal rates at good quality.

Alstom (now GE) after first LMJ machining tests

Materials

The Laser MicroJet can process a wide range of materials typically used in the semiconductor industry.

Elemental Semiconductors

Silicon (Si), Germanium (Ge), Diamond (CVD diamond)

Compound Semiconductors

Silicon Carbide (SiC), Gallium Nitride (GaN), Gallium Arsenide (GaAs), Aluminum Nitride (AlN)

SYNOVA

Application Examples

Downsizing, flat & notch

Silicon

Ingot trimming

Silicon carbide

Disc slotting

Silicon

Window cutting

Black alumina

Hole drilling

Silicon carbide

Case studies

  • HighlightedSemiconductors

    Semiconductor Reactor Sub-Assemblies

    Case Study

    Semiconductor Reactor Sub-Assemblies

    HighlightedSemiconductors
    Challenge

    LMJ is used for micro-machining semiconductor reactor sub-assembly parts with tight tolerances on thick,  hard materials in contact with reactive gas.

    Material

    Ceramics, Silicon, Silicon Carbide, Advanced Composites

    Process

    Drilling

  • HighlightedSemiconductors

    Taiko Ring Removal

    Case Study

    Taiko Ring Removal

    HighlightedSemiconductors
    Challenge

    Thin wafers are challenging to manipulate and to process due to the high flexibility and fragility. With LMJ the perfect TAIKO ring removal becomes possible.

    Material

    Silicon

    Process

    Cutting

  • HighlightedSemiconductors

    Downsizing of Silicon Wafers

    Case Study

    Downsizing of Silicon Wafers

    HighlightedSemiconductors
    Challenge

    The LMJ is used for gentle, precise, and fast processing for large inline production of power semiconductor devicesLow contamination of the workpiece is crucial.

    Material

    Silicon

    Process

    Cutting

Paul Schofield

(Business Unit Manager – Semiconductors)

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