Patent ID: 8883573

Claim:
A method of forming a nanowire isolation structure, comprising: forming at least one germanium nanowire, comprising patterning a mask on a substrate; etching the substrate to form at least one recess and at least one fin, each fin having a top surface and two opposing sides; removing the patterned mask; depositing the dielectric material over the recess and the fin; recessing the dielectric material to expose a portion of at least one side of the fin; forming a germanium alloy cladding on the exposed sides and the top surface of the fin; and oxidizing and annealing the germanium alloy cladding; forming a dielectric material adjacent to the germanium nanowire, wherein forming the dielectric material includes forming at least one divot channel in the dielectric material; forming a protective layer over the dielectric material and the nanowire; depositing a filler dielectric material over the protective layer; and removing a portion of the filler dielectric material to expose a portion of the protective layer and to leave a portion of the filler dielectric material within the divot channel.