Patent ID: 8580642

Claim:
A method of forming a FinFET device, comprising: forming a patterned hard mask layer above a substrate comprised of a first semiconducting material; performing a first etching process through said patterned hard mask layer to define a plurality of spaced-apart trenches that define a first portion of a fin comprised of said first semiconductor material for said device; forming a layer of insulating material in said trenches, said layer of insulating material overfilling said trenches and said patterned hard mask layer; performing a planarization process on said layer of insulating material that exposes said patterned hard mask positioned above said first portion of said fin; performing a second etching process to remove said hard mask positioned above said first portion of said fin to thereby expose an upper surface of said first portion of said fin and to define a cavity within said layer of insulating material above said first portion of said fin; forming a second portion of said fin within said cavity on said upper surface of said first portion of said fin, said second portion of said fin comprised of a second semiconducting material that is different than said first semiconducting material; and performing a third etching process on said layer of insulating material such that an upper surface of said insulating material after said second etching process is performed is below an upper surface of said second portion of said fin.