Patent ID: 9117877
Filing Date: 2015-08-25
Classification: H01L

Abstract:
1. A method of forming a FinFET device, comprising: forming a plurality of spaced-apart trenches in a semiconducting substrate, said trenches defining a fin for said device, said fin having sidewalls; forming a layer of flowable oxide material in said trenches, said layer of flowable oxide material covering a lower portion of said fin but not an upper portion of said fin, thereby defining exposed upper sidewalls of the fin and covered lower sidewalls of said fin, said covered lower sidewalls having a height; forming at least one sidewall spacer on and in contact with said exposed upper sidewalls of said upper portion of said fin, wherein forming said at least one spacer comprises depositing a layer of spacer material on at least said exposed upper sidewalls of said upper portion of said fin and performing an etching process on said layer of spacer material, said at least one sidewall spacer being comprised of a material that is different than said layer of flowable oxide material in said trenches; and after forming said at least one sidewall spacer, and with said at least one sidewall spacer in position, performing a heating process in an oxidizing ambient to form a thermal oxide region on an entire height of said covered lower sidewalls of the lower portion of said fin and to densify said layer of flowable oxide material.