Patent ID: 8772101
Filing Date: 2014-07-08
Classification: H01L

Abstract:
1. A method, comprising: forming a sacrificial gate structure and a gate cap layer above said sacrificial gate structure; forming first sidewall spacers adjacent opposite sides of said sacrificial gate structure and said gate cap layer; forming a layer of insulating material adjacent each of said first sidewall spacers; performing at least one etching process to remove said gate cap layer and a portion of said first sidewall spacers so as to expose portions of said layer of insulating material and to define reduced-height first sidewall spacers; forming second sidewall spacers on said exposed portions of said layer of insulating material, wherein each of said second sidewall spacers is positioned above one of said reduced-height first sidewall spacers; after forming said second sidewall spacers, removing said sacrificial gate structure to thereby define a gate cavity, whereby a portion of said gate cavity is laterally defined by said second sidewall spacers; and forming a replacement gate structure in said gate cavity, wherein at least a first portion of said replacement gate structure is positioned between said second sidewall spacers.