Patent ID: 8716828

Claim:
A semiconductor device comprising: a layer of semiconductor material having an active transistor region defined therein; an isolation trench formed in the layer of semiconductor material adjacent to the active transistor region; a trench liner lining the isolation trench, wherein the trench liner is formed from a material that substantially inhibits formation of high-k material thereon, and wherein the isolation trench and the trench liner together form a lined trench; an insulating material in the lined trench; and a high-k gate material overlying at least a portion of the insulating material and overlying at least a portion of the active transistor region, wherein the trench liner creates a discontinuity in the high-k gate material between a portion of the high-k gate material overlying the portion of the insulating material and a portion of the high-k gate material overlying the portion of the active transistor region.