Patent ID: 6991978

Claim:
A method for forming a word line structure with a single-sided partially recessed gate structure, comprising: providing a substrate having a gate structure thereon, wherein the gate structure comprises a gate dielectric layer, a first gate layer, a second gate layer, and a gate capping layer; forming a first gate spacer over opposing sidewalls of the gate dielectric layer and the first gate layer and forming a second gate spacer over opposing sidewalls of the gate structure to cover the first gate spacer; forming a dielectric layer overlying the substrate and covering the gate structure and the second gate spacer; successively removing the dielectric layer and the second gate spacer, adjacent to one of the opposing sidewalls of the gate structure, to expose portions of the substrate, the gate capping layer, the second gate layer, and the first gate spacer; partially etching the exposed second gate layer to form a recess region in the gate structure; and forming a third gate spacer over the sidewall of the gate structure exposing the gate capping layer, the second gate layer, and the first gate spacer and filling the recess region to complete the word line structure.