Patent ID: 8409994
Filing Date: 2013-04-02
Classification: H01L

Abstract:
1. A method for forming a semiconductor device having transistors with targeted CDs, comprising: providing a semiconductor device comprising a hard mask layer formed over a gate material layer, wherein the hard mask layer is formed into a plurality of hard mask lines and a layer of spacer material formed over the plurality of hard mask lines; performing a first dry etch process to remove a portion of the spacer material, wherein the remaining spacer material adheres to the sides of the plurality of hard mask lines to form sidewall spacers; covering a first portion of the plurality of hard mask lines with a first resist; performing a second dry etch process on the semiconductor device having a plurality of hard mask lines covered with a first resist to substantially remove the sidewall spacers associated with the portion of the plurality of hard mask lines not covered by the first resist; removing the first resist from the plurality of hard mask lines; and contacting the gate material layer with an etchant to form gate lines after performing the first dry etch, covering a second portion of the plurality of hard mask lines and associated spacer sidewalls with a second resist and performing a second dry etch to remove substantially all of sidewall spacers from the portion of the plurality of hard mask lines not covered by the second resist.