Methods of forming a gate cap layer above a replacement gate structure
First Claim
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1. A method, comprising:
- forming a replacement gate structure in a gate opening defined by sidewall spacers positioned in a layer of insulating material;
performing a common etching process on at least said sidewall spacers and said layer of insulating material, wherein after completing said common etching process, an etched upper surface of said sidewall spacers is recessed relative to an etched upper surface of said layer of insulating material and an upper surface of said replacement gate structure extends above said etched upper surface of said layer of insulating material;
after performing said common etching process, performing a first chemical mechanical polishing process to remove at least portions of said replacement gate structure that extend above said etched upper surface of said layer of insulating material and thereby define a polished replacement gate structure having a polished upper surface; and
after performing said first chemical mechanical polishing process, forming a gate cap layer above said polished upper surface of said polished replacement gate structure.
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Abstract
A method includes performing a first chemical mechanical polishing process to define a polished replacement gate structure having a dished upper surface, wherein the polished dished upper surface of the polished replacement gate structure has a substantially curved concave configuration. A gate cap layer is formed above the polished replacement gate structure, wherein a bottom surface of the gate cap layer corresponds to the polished dished upper surface of the polished replacement gate structure.
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Citations
13 Claims
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1. A method, comprising:
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forming a replacement gate structure in a gate opening defined by sidewall spacers positioned in a layer of insulating material; performing a common etching process on at least said sidewall spacers and said layer of insulating material, wherein after completing said common etching process, an etched upper surface of said sidewall spacers is recessed relative to an etched upper surface of said layer of insulating material and an upper surface of said replacement gate structure extends above said etched upper surface of said layer of insulating material; after performing said common etching process, performing a first chemical mechanical polishing process to remove at least portions of said replacement gate structure that extend above said etched upper surface of said layer of insulating material and thereby define a polished replacement gate structure having a polished upper surface; and after performing said first chemical mechanical polishing process, forming a gate cap layer above said polished upper surface of said polished replacement gate structure. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A method, comprising:
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forming a replacement gate structure in a gate opening defined by sidewall spacers positioned in a layer of insulating material; performing a common etching process on at least said sidewall spacers and said layer of insulating material, wherein after completing said common etching process, an etched upper surface of said sidewall spacers is recessed relative to an etched upper surface of said layer of insulating material and an upper surface of said replacement gate structure extends above said etched upper surface of said layer of insulating material; after performing said common etching process, performing a first chemical mechanical polishing process to remove at least portions of said replacement gate structure that extend above said etched upper surface of said layer of insulating material and thereby define a polished replacement gate structure having a dished upper surface, said polished dished upper surface of said polished replacement gate structure defining a recess having a depth; and after performing said first chemical mechanical polishing process, forming a gate cap layer above said polished dished upper surface of said polished replacement gate structure, said gate cap layer having a bottom surface that corresponds to said polished dished upper surface of said polished replacement gate structure. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13)
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Specification