I always etch two silicon wafers or chips sticked to each other, from front sides using some black-wax. This process both protects front sides and let you etch two wafers at the same time. Also one wafer can be handle if you want. I succeeded to fabricate two 4 um thick diaphragms at the same time with this process. =================================== Isa Kiyat Bilkent University Department of Physics 06800 Ankara, Turkey