Patent ID: 8354320

Claim:
A method of forming a FinFET device, comprising: forming a plurality of spaced-apart trenches in a semiconducting substrate, said trenches defining a fin structure for said device, said fin structure having an upper surface; forming a first region of a first insulating material within each of said trenches, said first region of said first insulating material having an as-deposited surface that is positioned below said upper surface of said fin; forming a layer of a second material that contacts said as-deposited surface of said first region of said first insulating material and overfills said trenches, wherein at least a portion of said layer of said second material is positioned above said upper surface of said fin structure; performing at least one first process operation to remove at least a portion of said layer of said second material from above said upper surface of said fin structure; and after performing said at least one first process operation, performing at least one second process operation to selectively remove said second material from above said first region of said first insulating material and thereby expose said as-deposited surface of said first region of said first insulating material.