Wafer processing method

A wafer processing method for processing a wafer including a device area and a peripheral marginal area surrounding the device area, the device area having a plurality of devices and an electrode connected to each device, the plurality of devices being formed in a plurality of respective separate regions defined by a plurality of crossing division lines formed on a front side of the wafer, the electrode being embedded in each separate region so as to extend along a thickness of each separate region, the wafer processing method comprising:

• a first cutting step of using a first cutting blade to cut a first area of the peripheral marginal area with a predetermined depth along a peripheral edge of the wafer, the first area including the peripheral edge of the wafer, thereby forming a step portion in the peripheral marginal area or removing the first area;
• a carrier substrate fixing step of fixing the front side of the wafer through an adhesive to a carrier substrate;
• a grinding step of grinding a back side of the wafer such that a thickness of the wafer becomes a value not greater than the predetermined depth, after performing the first cutting step and the carrier substrate fixing step, thereby reducing the thickness of the wafer such that the electrode is not exposed to the back side of the wafer;
• an etching step of supplying a chemical solution to the back side of the wafer after performing the grinding step, thereby etching the wafer to project the electrode from the back side of the wafer;
• an insulating film forming step of forming an insulating film on the back side of the wafer such that the electrode is covered with the insulating film, after performing the etching step;
• a second cutting step of using a second cutting blade to cut a second area of the peripheral marginal area along the peripheral edge of the wafer after performing the insulating film forming step, the second area being not in contact with the adhesive, thereby removing the second area;
• and
• a polishing step of making a polishing pad into pressure contact with the back side of the wafer as supplying a polishing fluid to the back side of the wafer, after performing the second cutting step, thereby polishing the insulating film so as to expose the electrode from the insulating film.