Patent ID: 7064027

Claim:
A method of forming a semiconductor device, comprising: providing a substrate having a first gate stack on a surface of the substrate; forming an etch resistant liner over the first gate stack; forming a spacer over the liner along sidewalls of the first gate stack; removing the liner from regions of the substrate and first gate stack not covered by the spacer, and leaving the liner in regions of the substrate and first gate stack covered by the spacer; forming an insulative layer on the surface of the substrate to cover areas of the substrate surrounding the first gate stack, but leaving the first gate stack uncovered; performing a preclean process to etch surfaces of the substrate not covered by the insulative layer or the liner, wherein the liner is not removed during the preclean process; and after forming the liner, forming a conductive material in the regions of the substrate and first gate stack not covered by the insulative layer or the liner.