A method of singulating a wafer includes providing a wafer having a plurality of die formed as part of the wafer and separated from each other by spaces. The wafer has first and second opposing major surfaces and a layer of material disposed along the second major surface. The method includes placing the wafer onto a carrier substrate and etching through the spaces to form singulation lines, wherein etching comprises stopping atop the layer of material. The method includes providing an apparatus comprising a compression structure, a support structure, and a transducer system configured to apply high frequency mechanical vibrations to the layer of material. The method includes placing the wafer and the carrier substrate onto the support structure, and, in one embodiment, applying pressure and mechanical vibrations to the wafer to separate the layer of material in the singulation lines.