Abstract: A method includes forming at least one fin in a semiconductor substrate, forming a fin spacer on at least a first portion of the fin, the fin spacer having an upper surface, recessing the at least one fin to thereby define a recessed fin with a recessed upper surface that it is at a level below the upper surface of the fin spacer, and forming a first epitaxial material on the recessed fin, wherein a lateral extension of the epitaxial material is constrained by the fin spacer.

Abstract: A method is provided for forming an integrated circuit having a diode. The method includes forming at least one fin in a shallow trench isolation (STI) oxide layer disposed above a substrate layer. The at least one fin extends from a bottom end adjacent the substrate layer to a top end. The method further includes adding a cathode implant in a first region of the at least one fin and the substrate layer and adding an anode implant in a second region of the at least one fin and the substrate layer such that a junction is formed in the substrate layer below the at least one fin. The method also includes etching away a portion of the STI oxide layer to expose the top end of the at least one fin.