Patent ID: 9412641
Filing Date: 2016-08-09
CPC Classification: H01L

Claim Text:
1. A method of forming a dielectric region of a fin-type field effect transistor (FinFET), the method comprising: forming at least one fin; forming a dielectric region adjacent a lower portion of said at least one fin; wherein said dielectric region comprises a top surface; and forming a blocking layer on said top surface of said dielectric region; wherein forming said blocking layer comprises: depositing a first blocking layer over said at least one fin and said dielectric region, wherein a portion of said first blocking layer is over said at least one fin and a portion of said first blocking layer is over said top surface of said dielectric region; damaging said first blocking layer in a manner that damages said portion of said first blocking layer that is over said at least one fin but does not damage said portion of said first blocking layer that is over said dielectric region; and removing said portion of said first blocking layer that is over said at least one fin; wherein said portion of said first blocking layer that is over said top surface of said dielectric region comprises said blocking layer; wherein said blocking layer is configured to prevent at least one subsequent FinFET fabrication operation from impacting said top surface of said dielectric region.