Semiconductor Industry Trends: Innovative Application of Ultraviolet Lasers for Wafers

As the semiconductor industry's demands on accuracy and efficiency continue to rise, ultraviolet laser technology is becoming the new darling of the wafer marking field.The article explores the unique advantages of UV lasers in wafer marking, including non-contact processing, high-precision marking and zero damage to the material, and analyzes how they are driving the upgrading and innovation of semiconductor manufacturing processes.

What makes UV lasers the "new weapon" of wafer marking?

In recent years, those working in the semiconductor industry may have noticed that more and more wafer fabrication plants have been using ultraviolet lasers instead of traditional marking techniques.This change is not just a passing fad; it is a real upgrade in technology.The shorter wavelength and greater concentration of energy of the UV laser is like using a finer-tipped pen to etch the ICs. The marks are clearer and more stable, and the heat-affected zone is less likely to damage the surface of the wafer.

The three main advantages of UV laser marking.

It was a ridiculous level of accuracy.

Traditional fiber lasers are accurate to the micrometer level, while UV lasers can be accurate to the sub-micrometer level.For example, it can etch an entire passage of text onto a strand of hair, and guarantee that every stroke is sharp.For wafers that require complex two-dimensional barcodes or microcodes, this is a tailor-made solution.

Speed and compatibility.

Don't let the gentle nature of the UV laser fool you; it is no slouch when it comes to getting the job done.Combined with a high-speed mirror system, it can mark over one hundred wafers per minute, and it can handle both silicon-based materials and compound semiconductors with equal ease.A technical director at a wafer fab has complained: "Before we had to adjust the parameters for every change in the materials. Now we use the same basic settings for everything.The answer is simple: "Because I love it.

A hidden benefit that is both environmentally friendly and economical.

The traditional chemical etching process involves using a whole range of acid and alkaline solutions. Not only is handling these dangerous, but the disposal of the waste liquid is a headache.UV lasers process materials purely through physical means, so they are safe to use and environmentally friendly.Some companies have calculated that the savings in materials from switching to UV lasers are enough to buy a couple of coffee machines.

What are the pitfalls in practical application?

Although UV lasers have many advantages, a number of details must be attended to if they are to be successfully applied.

Don't let the settings hold you back.

Higher density and frequency are not always better.For example, when processing ultra-thin wafers, if the energy is too high, the wafer might be burned through, but if the energy is too low, the marks might be unclear.He suggested that they first produce a small batch to get a feel for the material before going into mass production.

Environmental control is more important than you might think.

Ultraviolet lasers are particularly sensitive to dust particles in the air. If the workshop is not kept clean, the laser beam will scatter during marking, making the marking blurry.In one southern factory, the humidity in the rainy season caused a 15 % drop in the rate of properly labeled products. The problem was solved by installing a new air dehumidification system.

What new tricks can be played with it in the future?

Now there are companies researching the "combination skills" of UV lasers, such as using AI vision systems to automatically identify the position of a wafer, or using energy gradient control to achieve three-dimensional microstructure etching.It is possible that in two years we will see laser equipment that can directly etch out functional circuits, which would be true "marking is manufacturing.

In short, the use of UV lasers is redefining the standard for wafer marking.For companies that are still on the fence, a head start may mean a half-step advantage in the race for production capacity. After all, in this industry, a little bit can make a big difference.