Patent ID: 8298924

Claim:
A method for differential spacer removal, comprising: depositing an etch stop layer over a semiconductor microstructure including at least an NMOS element and a PMOS element, each of said NMOS element and said PMOS element comprising a plurality of spacer elements, wherein each plurality of spacer elements comprises an outer spacer element, and the etch stop layer contacts and covers said outer spacer elements of said pluralities of spacer elements; implanting N-dopants through the previously deposited etch stop layer; removing a first portion of said etch stop layer covering said outer spacer element of said at least one NMOS element while leaving a second portion of said etch stop layer in place over said outer spacer element of said at least one PMOS element; and removing at least said outer spacer element from a sidewall of said at least one NMOS element after removing said first portion by performing a wet chemical etch process, while said outer spacer element of said PMOS element is protected from the wet chemical etch process by the etch stop layer.