A separating method includes holding a combined substrate and separating a first substrate. In the holding of the combined substrate, the combined substrate in which the first substrate and a second substrate are bonded is held. In the separating of the first substrate, the first substrate is separated from the combined substrate, starting from a side surface of the combined substrate. The separating of the first substrate includes brining a fluid containing water into contact with the side surface.

A device and method for at least partial loosening of a connecting layer of a temporarily bonded substrate stack. The device has at least one ring, whereby the substrate stack can be placed within the at least one ring, the at least one ring having a plurality of nozzles. The nozzles are arranged distributed at least over a portion of the periphery of the at least one ring, the nozzles directed onto the connecting layer. The device sprays solvent from the nozzles onto an edge area of the connecting layer.

Disclosed are systems, devices and methodologies for handling wafers in wafer processing operations through use of wafer carriers. In an example situation, a wafer carrier can be configured as a plate to allow bonding of a wafer thereto to provide support for the wafer during some processing operations. Upon completion of such operations, the processed wafer can be separated from the support plate so as to allow further processing. Various devices and methodologies related to such wafer carriers for efficient handling of wafers are disclosed.

A processing apparatus of a stack is provided. The stack includes two substrates attached to each other with a gap provided between their end portions. The processing apparatus includes a fixing mechanism that fixes part of the stack, a plurality of adsorption jigs that fix an outer peripheral edge of one of the substrates of the stack, and a wedge-shaped jig that is inserted into a corner of the stack. The plurality of adsorption jigs include a mechanism that allows the adsorption jigs to move separately in a vertical direction and a horizontal direction. The processing apparatus further includes a sensor sensing a position of the gap between the end portion in the stack. A tip of the wedge-shaped jig moves along a chamfer formed on an end surface of the stack. The wedge-shaped jig is inserted into the gap between the end portions in the stack.

The present invention relates to a peeling bar, apparatus, and method for peeling a polarizing film from a panel. This invention can minimize friction between the peeling bar and the polarizing film since the peeled polarizing film is in contact with a front part of the peeling bar. Also, in order to equalize tension applied to the polarizing film in a peeling process, this invention makes both ends of the polarizing film closely adhere to the peeling bar.

According to this invention, fracture of the polarizing film is prevented, and thereby the polarizing film can be stably peeled from the panel without fracture.

A starting point for separating a separation layer and a layer to be separated is formed in a process member. A first step of irradiating a first portion of the process member with first laser light in a frame-like shape and a second step of irradiating at least part of a region which is irradiated with the first laser light with second laser light are performed. The process member includes a first substrate, the separation layer, the layer to be separated, and an adhesive layer which are stacked in this order. In the first portion, the adhesive layer overlaps with the first substrate with the separation layer and the layer to be separated provided therebetween. In the first step, the first laser light is absorbed by at least the layer to be separated and the adhesive layer. In the second step, the second laser light is absorbed by at least the separation layer.

A processing apparatus of a stack is provided. The stack includes two substrates attached to each other with a gap provided between their end portions. The processing apparatus includes a fixing mechanism that fixes part of the stack, a plurality of adsorption jigs that fix an outer peripheral edge of one of the substrates of the stack, and a wedge-shaped jig that is inserted into a corner of the stack. The plurality of adsorption jigs include a mechanism that allows the adsorption jigs to move separately in a vertical direction and a horizontal direction. The processing apparatus further includes a sensor sensing a position of the gap between the end portion in the stack. A tip of the wedge-shaped jig moves along a chamfer formed on an end surface of the stack. The wedge-shaped jig is inserted into the gap between the end portions in the stack.

The present invention relates to a peeling bar, apparatus, and method for peeling a polarizing film from a panel. This invention can minimize friction between the peeling bar and the polarizing film since the peeled polarizing film is in contact with a tip of a front part of the peeling bar. The radius of a curved surface at the tip of the front part and an inclined upper surface of the front part are designed to minimize the Z-axis component of a shearing force applied to the polarizing film. Also, in order to equalize tension applied to the polarizing film in a peeling process, this invention makes both ends of the polarizing film closely adhere to the peeling bar.

According to this invention, fracture of the polarizing film is prevented, and thereby the polarizing film can be stably peeled from the panel without fracture.

Disclosed are systems, devices and methodologies for handling wafers in wafer processing operations through use of wafer carriers. In an example situation, a wafer carrier can be configured as a plate to allow bonding of a wafer thereto to provide support for the wafer during some processing operations. Upon completion of such operations, the processed wafer can be separated from the support plate so as to allow further processing. Various devices and methodologies related to such wafer carriers for efficient handling of wafers are disclosed.

Disclosed are systems, devices and methodologies for handling wafers in wafer processing operations through use of wafer carriers. In an example situation, a wafer carrier can be configured as a plate to allow bonding of a wafer thereto to provide support for the wafer during some processing operations. Upon completion of such operations, the processed wafer can be separated from the support plate so as to allow further processing. Various devices and methodologies related to such wafer carriers for efficient handling of wafers are disclosed.