Patent ID: 9443769
Filing Date: 2016-09-13
CPC Classification: H01L

Claim Text:
1. A method comprising: forming a first fin structure and a second fin structure on a substrate, an isolation region being disposed between the first fin structure and the second fin structure, the first fin structure comprising a first epitaxial region extending above the isolation region, the second fin structure comprising a second epitaxial region extending above the isolation region, each of the first epitaxial region and the second epitaxial region having a widest mid-region between an upper-surface and an under-surface; forming a dual-layer etch stop over the first fin structure and the second fin structure, the dual-layer etch stop comprising a first sub-layer and a second sub-layer, the first sub-layer being along the upper-surface of the first epitaxial region, the under-surface of the first epitaxial region, the upper-surface of the second epitaxial region, the under-surface of the second epitaxial region, and the isolation region, the second sub-layer being over the first sub-layer and along the upper-surface of the first epitaxial region and the upper-surface of the second epitaxial region, the second sub-layer merging together proximate the widest mid-region of the first epitaxial region and the widest mid-region of the second epitaxial region; removing at least portions of the dual-layer etch stop from the upper-surface and the under-surface of the first epitaxial region and from the upper-surface and the under-surface of the second epitaxial region; forming a first dielectric layer on at least portions of the upper-surface and the under-surface of the first epitaxial region and on the upper-surface and the under-surface of the second epitaxial region; forming a metal layer on the first dielectric layer on at least the upper-surface of the first epitaxial region and the upper-surface of the second epitaxial region; and forming a barrier layer on the metal layer and along the under-surface of the first epitaxial region and the under-surface of the second epitaxial region.