Patent ID: 8450172
Filing Date: 2013-05-28
Classification: H01L

Abstract:
1. A method, comprising: forming a first dielectric layer above a semiconductor region comprising a contact region; forming a non-insulating strain-inducing material layer above said first dielectric layer; forming an offset opening having a first lateral size in said non-insulating strain-inducing material layer and above said contact region; forming a second dielectric layer inside of said offset opening and above said non-insulating strain-inducing material layer during a common material deposition process, said second dielectric layer completely filling said offset opening; forming a contact opening so as to extend from said second dielectric layer above said non-insulating strain-inducing material layer and through said filled offset opening to said contact region, wherein said contact opening has a second lateral size that is less than said first lateral size and sidewalls of said contact opening are laterally separated from sidewalls of said filled offset opening; and filling said contact opening with a conductive material.