Patent ID: 8871582
Filing Date: 2014-10-28
Classification: H01L

Abstract:
1. A method of forming a device comprised of a gate structure and a spacer structure positioned in a layer of insulating material, the method comprising: performing at least one etching process to recess said gate structure and said spacer structure and thereby form an etched recessed gate structure and an etched recessed spacer structure, said etched recessed gate structure, said etched recessed spacer structure and said layer of insulating material defining a spacer/gate cap recess; forming a gate cap layer in said spacer/gate cap recess, said gate cap layer having a thickness that is less than a depth of said spacer/gate cap recess; forming a gate cap protection layer on an upper surface of said gate cap layer and above said layer of insulating material; and performing at least one process operation to remove portions of said gate cap protection layer from above said layer of insulating material while leaving a portion of said gate cap protection layer positioned on said upper surface of said gate cap layer.