The invention provides a multi-segment focusing lens for effective laser processing method that allows to cut/scribe/cleave/dice or, generally speaking, separate, hard, brittle, and solid wafers or glass sheets, which are either bare or have microelectronic or MEMS devices formed on them.
The multi-segment focusing lens is used in a laser processing method comprises a step of modifying a pulsed laser beam by a shaping and focusing unit, including a multi-segment lens. Said multi-segment lens creates multiple beam convergence zones, more particularly, multiple focal points, said and interference spike shape intensity distribution exceeding the optical damage threshold of the workpiece material. Said interference spike shape intensity distribution is situated in the bulk of the workpiece. During the aforementioned step a modified area is created. The laser processing method further comprises a step of creating a number of such damage structures in a predetermined breaking line or curved trajectory by relative translation of the workpiece in relation to the focal point of the laser beam.