Adjustable spatial filter for laser scribing apparatus

Abstract

An apparatus for radiatively scribing a planar semiconductor substrate along a scribelane that extends between opposing rows of semiconductor devices on a target surface of the substrate. The scribelane extends parallel to a first direction parallel to a second direction, these first and second directions lying respectively parallel to X and Y axes of a Cartesian coordinate system. Such an apparatus may include an illuminator for producing an array of light beams; a projection system for focusing the light beams onto the target surface; an actuator system for causing relative displacement of a substrate holder with respect to light beams parallel to an XY plane; and an adjustable spatial filter located between the illuminator and the substrate holder, and including motorized plates whose position is adjustable so as to at least partially block selectable light beams of the light beam array.