Patent · US Active

Methods of removing dummy fin structures when forming finFET devices

US8703557B1 · kind B1 · utility

42Cited by
3References
23Claims
0Family size

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Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateApr 15, 2013
Grant dateApr 22, 2014
Priority date
Expiry dateApr 15, 2033

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
  • CPC primaryH10D84/038

Abstract

One method disclosed herein includes forming a plurality of fin-formation trenches in a substrate that defines a plurality of fins, wherein at least one of the fins is a dummy fin, forming an insulating material that fills at least a portion of the trenches, forming a recess in a masking layer formed above the insulating material, forming a sidewall spacer on sidewalls of the recess so as to define a spacer opening, performing at least one first etching process on the masking layer through the spacer opening to define an opening in the masking layer that exposes a portion of the insulating material and the dummy fin, and performing at least one second etching process to remove at least a portion of the dummy fin and thereby define an opening in the insulating material.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.