Abstract: A method for forming a semiconductor device structure is provided. The method includes forming a first gate stack over a substrate. The substrate has a base and a first fin structure over the base, and the first gate stack wraps around a first upper portion of the first fin structure. The method includes partially removing the first fin structure, which is not covered by the first gate stack. The method includes forming a first mask layer over a first sidewall of the first fin structure. The method includes forming a first stressor over a second sidewall of the first fin structure while the first mask layer covers the first sidewall. The first sidewall is opposite to the second sidewall. The method includes removing the first mask layer. The method includes forming a dielectric layer over the base and the first stressor. The dielectric layer covers the first sidewall.

Abstract: Integrated circuit transistor structures are disclosed that reduce n-type dopant diffusion, such as phosphorous or arsenic, from the source region and the drain region of a germanium n-MOS device into adjacent insulator regions during fabrication. The n-MOS transistor device may include at least 75% germanium by atomic percentage. In an example embodiment, a dopant-rich insulator cap is deposited adjacent to the source and/or drain regions, to provide dopant diffusion reduction. In some embodiments, the dopant-rich insulator cap is doped with an n-type impurity including Phosphorous in a concentration between 1 and 10% by atomic percentage. In some embodiments, the dopant-rich insulator cap may have a thickness in the range of 10 to 100 nanometers and a height in the range of 10 to 200 nanometers.

Abstract: A method for forming a FinFET device structure is provided. The method for forming a FinFET device structure includes forming a fin structure over a substrate and forming a gate structure across the fin structure. The method for forming a FinFET device structure also includes forming a first spacer over a sidewall of the gate structure and forming a second spacer over the first spacer. The method for forming a FinFET device structure further includes etching the second spacer to form a gap and forming a mask layer over the gate structure and the first spacer after the gap is formed. In addition, the mask layer extends into the gap in such a way that the mask layer and the fin structure are separated by an air gap in the gap.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method that includes forming a gate stack on a semiconductor substrate; forming an etch stop layer on the gate stack and the semiconductor substrate; depositing a dielectric liner layer on the etch stop layer; performing an anisotropic etch to selectively remove portions of the dielectric liner layer such that the etch stop layer is exposed on top surfaces of the gate stack and the semiconductor substrate; depositing a silicon layer selectively on exposed surfaces of the etch stop layer; depositing an inter-layer dielectric (ILD) layer on the gate stack and the semiconductor substrate; and performing an anneal to oxidize the silicon layer, thereby generating a compressive stress to a channel region underlying the gate stack.

Abstract: A microelectronic device on a semiconductor substrate comprises: a gate electrode; and a spacer adjacent to the gate electrode, the spacer comprising: a the low-k dielectric film comprising one or more species of vanadium oxide, which is optionally doped, and an optional silicon nitride or oxide film. Methods comprise depositing a low-k dielectric film optionally sandwiched by a silicon nitride or oxide film to form a spacer adjacent to a gate electrode of a microelectronic device on a semiconductor substrate, wherein the low-k dielectric film comprises a vanadium-containing film.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a manufacturing method of LTPS TFT substrate and the LTPS TFT substrate. With respect to the manufacturing method, after the gate insulation layer is formed, the gate insulation layer is doped with nitrogen by a plasma containing nitrogen so as to increase the positive charges within the gate insulation layer. As such, the P-type TFT threshold voltage can be negatively shifted so as to enhance the splash screen issue.

Abstract: A FinFET device structure is provided. The FinFET device structure includes a first gate structure formed over a fin structure and a first spacer layer formed on the first gate structure. The FinFET device structure includes a first insulation layer formed over the fin structure, and the first insulating layer is adjacent to and separated from the first spacer layer. The FinFET device structure includes a conductive plug formed over the first gate structure, and the conductive plug is formed over the first spacer layer and the first insulation layer.

Abstract: Semiconductor devices and methods of forming the same include forming a gate stack in contact with sidewalls of a semiconductor fin and on a bottom spacer over a bottom source/drain region. An encapsulating material is selectively deposited over the gate stack, leaving the bottom spacer exposed. An inter-layer dielectric is formed over the encapsulating material. A via is formed in the inter-layer dielectric to contact the bottom source/drain layer.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a FinFET includes at last the following steps. A semiconductor substrate is patterned to form trenches in the semiconductor substrate and semiconductor fins located between two adjacent trenches of the trenches. Gate stacks is formed over portions of the semiconductor fins. Strained material portions are formed over the semiconductor fins revealed by the gate stacks. First metal contacts are formed over the gate stacks, the first metal contacts electrically connecting the strained material portions. Air gaps are formed in the FinFET at positions between two adjacent gate stacks and between two adjacent strained materials.

Abstract: A low reflectivity coating (20) is formed of a layer of carbon nanostructures (20) over a contact surface (14) of a substrate (10), from a spray incorporating the carbon nanostructures in suspension in a solvent. The carbon nanostructure layer provides a very low reflectivity coating which may be further enhanced by etching the outer surface of the coating. The layer may be etched for reduced reflectivity. Very low reflectivity coatings have been achieved.

Abstract: Integrated circuits include fins including an upper/channel region and a lower/sub-channel region, the lower region having a first chemical composition and opposing sidewalls adjacent to an insulator material, and the upper region having a second chemical composition. A first width indicates the distance between the opposing sidewalls of the lower region at a first location is at least 1 nm wider than a second width indicating the distance between the opposing sidewalls of the upper region at a second location, the first location being within 10 nm of the second location (or otherwise relatively close to one another). The first chemical composition is distinct from the second chemical composition and includes a surface chemical composition at an outer surface of the opposing sidewalls of the lower region and a bulk chemical composition therebetween, the surface chemical composition including one or more of oxygen, nitrogen, carbon, chlorine, fluorine, and sulfur.

Abstract: A method may include forming a dummy dielectric layer over a substrate, and forming a dummy gate over the dummy dielectric layer. The method may also include forming a first spacer adjacent the dummy gate, and removing the dummy gate to form a cavity, where the cavity is defined at least in part by the first spacer. The method may also include performing a plasma treatment on portions of the first spacer, where the plasma treatment causes a material composition of the portions of the first spacer to change from a first material composition to a second material composition. The method may also include etching the portions of the first spacer having the second material composition to remove the portions of the first spacer having the second material composition, and filling the cavity with conductive materials to form a gate structure.

Abstract: System and methods to generate a circuit design for an integrated circuit using only allowable pairs of connected logic stages. The allowable pairs of connected logic stages are those pairs of connected logic stages with a static noise margin (SNM) above an SNM threshold. Also presented is a 16-bit microprocessor made entirely from carbon nanotube field effect transistors (CNFET) having such allowable pair of connected logic stages.

Abstract: The present invention provides a TFT that has a channel length particularly longer than that of an existing one, specifically, several tens to several hundreds times longer than that of the existing one, and thereby allowing turning to an on-state at a gate voltage particularly higher than the existing one and driving, and allowing having a low channel conductance gd. According to the present invention, not only the simple dispersion of on-current but also the normalized dispersion thereof can be reduced, and other than the reduction of the dispersion between the individual TFTs, the dispersion of the OLEDs themselves and the dispersion due to the deterioration of the OLED can be reduced.

Abstract: Provided are embodiments for a semiconductor device. The semiconductor device includes a nanosheet stack comprising one or more layers, wherein the one or more layers are induced with strain from a modified sacrificial gate. The semiconductor device also includes one or more merged S/D regions formed on exposed portions of the nanosheet stack, wherein the one or more merged S/D regions fix the strain of the one or more layers, and a conductive gate formed over the nanosheet stack, wherein the conductive gate replaces a modified sacrificial gate without impacting the strain induced in the one or more layers. Also provided are embodiments for a method for creating stress in the channel of a nanosheet transistor.

Abstract: The present invention provides a semiconductor structure and method of manufacturing the same. The semiconductor structure includes a substrate and a gate formed on the substrate. The above manufacturing method is used to form a gate on the substrate. The above manufacturing method specifically includes: providing a substrate; forming a trench in an upper portion of the substrate; depositing a gate layer on the substrate, the gate layer including two step portions extending from the outside of the trench to the inside of the trench; etching the gate layer from two ends of the trench along the two step portions toward the center of the trench to form the gate in the trench, wherein the width of the gate is smaller than the width of the trench. The manufacturing method of the present invention can easily and efficiently form a gate having a small critical dimension and precisely controllable on a semiconductor substrate, thereby meeting increasingly stringent gate size requirements.

Abstract: The present disclosure, in some embodiments, relates to a method of forming an integrated chip. The method may be performed by forming a plurality of gate structures over a substrate, and forming a plurality of source and drain regions along opposing sides of the plurality of gate structures. A plurality of middle-of-the-line (MOL) structures are formed at locations laterally interleaved between the plurality of gate structures. The plurality of MOL structures are redefined by getting rid of a part but not all of one or more of the plurality of MOL structures. Redefining the plurality of MOL structures results in a plurality of MOL active structures arranged over the plurality of source and drain regions at an irregular pitch.

Abstract: A method includes forming a gate stack on a plurality of semiconductor fins. The plurality of semiconductor fins includes a plurality of inner fins, and a first outer fin and a second outer fin on opposite sides of the plurality of inner fins. Epitaxy regions are grown based on the plurality of semiconductor fins, and a first height of the epitaxy regions measured along an outer sidewall of the first outer fin is smaller than a second height of the epitaxy regions measured along an inner sidewall of the first outer fin.

Abstract: The disclosed technique forms epitaxy layers locally within a trench having angled recesses stacked in the sidewall of the trench. The sizes of the recesses are controlled to control the thickness of the epitaxy layers to be formed within the trench. The recesses are covered by cap layers and exposed one by one sequentially beginning from the lowest recess. The epitaxy layers are formed one by one within the trench with the facet edge portion thereof aligned into the respective recess, which is the recess sequentially exposed for the epitaxy layer.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the present application are directed towards an integrated chip comprising memory cells separated by a void-free dielectric structure. In some embodiments, a pair of memory cell structures is formed on a via dielectric layer, where the memory cell structures are separated by an inter-cell area. An inter-cell filler layer is formed covering the memory cell structures and the via dielectric layer, and further filling the inter-cell area. The inter-cell filler layer is recessed until a top surface of the inter-cell filler layer is below a top surface of the pair of memory cell structures and the inter-cell area is partially cleared. An interconnect dielectric layer is formed covering the memory cell structures and the inter-cell filler layer, and further filling a cleared portion of the inter-cell area.

Abstract: A method for forming a semiconductor device structure is provided. The method includes providing a substrate and an insulating layer over the substrate. The insulating layer has a trench partially exposing the substrate. The method includes forming a gate dielectric layer in the trench. The method includes forming a first metal-containing layer over the gate dielectric layer. The method includes forming a silicon-containing layer over the first metal-containing layer. The method includes forming a second metal-containing layer over the silicon-containing layer. The method includes forming a gate electrode layer in the trench and over the second metal-containing layer.

Abstract: A semiconductor device and method of forming the same are disclosed. The semiconductor device includes a fin structure, a gate electrode, a source-drain region, a plug and a hard mask structure. The gate electrode crosses over the fin structure. The source-drain region in the fin structure is aside the gate electrode. The plug is disposed over and electrically connected to the gate electrode. The hard mask structure surrounds the plug and is disposed over the gate electrode, wherein the hard mask structure includes a first hard mask layer and a second hard mask layer, the second hard mask layer covers a sidewall and a top surface of the first hard mask layer, and a material of the first hard mask layer is different from a material of the second hard mask layer.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the present application are directed towards an integrated chip comprising memory cells separated by a void-free dielectric structure. In some embodiments, a pair of memory cell structures is formed on a via dielectric layer, where the memory cell structures are separated by an inter-cell area. An inter-cell filler layer is formed covering the memory cell structures and the via dielectric layer, and further filling the inter-cell area. The inter-cell filler layer is recessed until a top surface of the inter-cell filler layer is below a top surface of the pair of memory cell structures and the inter-cell area is partially cleared. An interconnect dielectric layer is formed covering the memory cell structures and the inter-cell filler layer, and further filling a cleared portion of the inter-cell area.

Abstract: Semiconductor devices may include a substrate and a redistribution layer. The redistribution layer may include a dielectric material and electrically conductive material. Vias may extend through the dielectric material. A first region of the electrically conductive material may be connected to a first subset of vias in a row from a first lateral side of the row, the first region occupying more than half of a width of the row on the first lateral side. A second region of the electrically conductive material may be connected to a second subset of vias in the row from a second, opposite lateral side of the row, the second region occupying more than half of the width of the row on the second lateral side.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes structure and method of a fin field-effect transistor (finFET) device. The finFET device includes: a substrate, a fin over the substrate, and a gate structure over the fin. The gate structure includes a work-function metal (WFM) layer over an inner sidewall of the gate structure. A topmost surface of the WFM layer is lower than a top surface of the gate structure. The gate structure also includes a filler gate metal layer over the topmost surface of the WFM layer. A top surface of the filler gate metal layer is substantially co-planar with the top surface of the gate structure. The gate structure further includes a self-assembled monolayer (SAM) between the filler gate metal layer and the WFM layer.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a substrate, a dielectric fin, a gate, and a high-k dielectric layer. The dielectric fin is above the substrate and extending along a first direction. The gate is above the substrate and extends in a second direction that intersects the first direction. The high-k dielectric layer is vertically above the dielectric fin. The gate is over a sidewall and a bottom surface of the high-k dielectric layer.

Abstract: A semiconductor device is provided, which includes an active region, a first structure, a second gate structure, a first gate dielectric sidewall, a second gate dielectric sidewall, a first air gap region, a second air gap region and a contact structure. The active region is formed over a substrate. The first and second gate structures are formed over the active region and between the first gate structure and the second gate structure are the first gate dielectric sidewall, the first air gap region, the contact structure, the second air gap region and a second gate dielectric sidewall.

Abstract: A method includes forming a first fin and a second fin protruding from a semiconductor substrate and defined by a fin height, forming a spacer layer over the first fin and the second fin, etching the spacer layer to form inner spacers and outer spacers along opposite sidewalls of each of the first fin and the second fin, where the inner spacers are formed between the first fin and the second fin and where etching the spacer layer results in the inner spacers to extend above the outer spacers, forming a source/drain (S/D) recess in each of the first fin and the second fin, and forming an epitaxial semiconductor layer in the S/D recesses, where forming the epitaxial semiconductor layer forms an air gap with the inner spacers.

Abstract: A method of making a thin film transistor, the method includes: providing a semiconductor layer; arranging a first photoresist layer, a nanowire structure, a second photoresist layer on the semiconductor layer, wherein the nanowire structure includes a single nanowire; forming one opening in the first photoresist layer and the second photoresist layer to form an exposed surface, wherein a part of the nanowire is exposed and suspended in the opening; depositing a conductive film layer on the exposed surface using the nanowire structure as a mask, wherein the conductive film layer defines a nano-scaled channel, and the conductive film layer is divided into two regions, one region is used as a source electrode, and the other region is used as a drain electrode; forming an insulating layer on the semiconductor layer to cover the source electrode and the drain electrode, and locating a gate electrode on the insulating layer.

Abstract: A method for forming a crystalline high-k dielectric layer and controlling the crystalline phase and orientation of the crystal growth of the high-k dielectric layer during an anneal process. The crystalline phase and orientation of the crystal growth of the dielectric layer may be controlled using seeding sections of the dielectric layer serving as nucleation sites and using a capping layer mask during the anneal process. The location of the nucleation sites and the arrangement of the capping layer allow the orientation and phase of the crystal growth of the dielectric layer to be controlled during the anneal process. Based on the dopants and the process controls used the phase can be modified to increase the permittivity and/or the ferroelectric property of the dielectric layer.

Abstract: A display device includes a pixel array substrate, a sensing element substrate, and a display medium layer. The display medium layer is disposed between the pixel array substrate and the sensing element substrate. The sensing element substrate includes a substrate, a switch element, an insulation layer, an electrically conductive layer, a signal line, a sensing layer, and an electrode layer. The switch element is disposed on the substrate. The insulation layer covers the switch element. The electrically conductive layer is disposed on the insulation layer. The signal line is electrically connected to the electrically conductive layer. The sensing layer covers a top surface of the electrically conductive layer, a first side of the electrically conductive layer, and a second side of the electrically conductive layer. The electrode layer covers the sensing layer. The electrode layer is electrically connected to the switching element.

Abstract: An ESD protection device includes a substrate having an active fin extending in a first direction, a plurality of gate structures extending in a second direction at a given angle with respect to the first direction and partially covering the active fin, an epitaxial layer in a recess on a portion of the active fin between the gate structures, an impurity region under the epitaxial layer, and a contact plug contacting the epitaxial layer. A central portion of the impurity region is thicker than an edge portion of the impurity region, in the first direction. The contact plug lies over the central portion of the impurity region.

Abstract: In a method of manufacturing a semiconductor device, a dummy gate structure is formed over a channel region of a semiconductor layer, a source/drain epitaxial layer is formed on opposing sides of the dummy gate structure, a planarization operation is performed on the source/drain epitaxial layer, the planarized source/drain epitaxial layer is patterned, the dummy gate structure is removed to form a gate space, and a metal gate structure is formed in the gate space.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a semiconductor substrate, a plurality of semiconductor fins, a gate stack and an epitaxy structure. The semiconductor fins are present on the semiconductor substrate. The semiconductor fins respectively include recesses therein. The gate stack is present on portions of the semiconductor fins that are adjacent to the recesses. The epitaxy structure is present across the recesses of the semiconductor fins. The epitaxy structure includes a plurality of corners and at least one groove present between the corners, and the groove has a curvature radius greater than that of at least one of the corners.

Abstract: A strip made of a semiconductor material is formed over a substrate. Longitudinal portions of the strip having a same length are covered with sacrificial gates made of an insulating material and spaced apart from each other. Non-covered portions of the strip are doped to form source/drain regions. An insulating layer followed by a layer of a temporary material is then deposited. Certain ones of the sacrificial gates are left in place. Certain other ones of the sacrificial gates are replaced by a metal gate structure. The temporary material is then replaced with a conductive material to form contacts to the source/drain regions.

Abstract: A method of forming a fin field effect transistor (finFET) having fin(s) with reduced dimensional variations, including forming a dummy fin trench within a perimeter of a fin pattern region on a substrate, forming a dummy fin fill in the dummy fin trench, forming a plurality of vertical fins within the perimeter of the fin pattern region, including border fins at the perimeter of the fin pattern region and interior fins located within the perimeter and inside the bounds of the border fins, wherein the border fins are formed from the dummy fin fill, and removing the border fins, wherein the border fins are dummy fins and the interior fins are active vertical fins.

Abstract: A device includes a substrate; semiconductor fins extending from the substrate; an isolation structure over the substrate and laterally between the semiconductor fins; a liner layer between sidewalls of the semiconductor fins and the isolation structure; and an etch stop layer between the substrate and the isolation structure and laterally between the semiconductor fins. The etch stop layer includes a material different than that of the isolation structure and the liner layer.

Abstract: A device includes a fin extending from a substrate, a gate stack over and along sidewalls of the fin, a gate spacer along a sidewall of the gate stack, and an epitaxial source/drain region in the fin and adjacent the gate spacer. The epitaxial source/drain region includes a first epitaxial layer on the fin, the first epitaxial layer including silicon, germanium, and arsenic, and a second epitaxial layer on the first epitaxial layer, the second epitaxial layer including silicon and phosphorus, the first epitaxial layer separating the second epitaxial layer from the fin. The epitaxial source/drain region further includes a third epitaxial layer on the second epitaxial layer, the third epitaxial layer including silicon, germanium, and phosphorus.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are quantum dot devices with gate interface materials, as well as related computing devices and methods. For example, a quantum dot device may include a quantum well stack, a gate interface material, and a high-k gate dielectric. The gate interface material may be disposed between the high-k gate dielectric and the quantum well stack.

Abstract: A method for fabricating semiconductor device includes the steps of: forming a gate structure on a substrate, forming a polymer block on a corner between the gate structure and the substrate, performing an oxidation process to form a first seal layer on sidewalls of the gate structure, and forming a source/drain region adjacent to two sides of the gate structure. Preferably, the polymer block includes fluorine, bromide, or silicon.

Abstract: Embodiments of three-dimensional (3D) memory devices and methods for forming the same are disclosed. In an example, a 3D memory device includes a substrate, a memory stack, a channel structure, a first dielectric layer, and a second dielectric layer. The memory stack includes interleaved conductor layers and dielectric layers above the substrate. The memory stack includes a staircase structure at one edge of the memory stack. The channel structure extends vertically through the memory stack. The first dielectric layer is above the memory stack. A part of the first dielectric layer right above the staircase structure has a dished bottom surface. The second dielectric layer is on the part of the first dielectric layer right above the staircase structure and has a nominally flat top surface.

Abstract: A method includes etching a first semiconductor fin and a second semiconductor fin to form first recesses. The first and the second semiconductor fins have a first distance. A third semiconductor fin and a fourth semiconductor fin are etched to form second recesses. The third and the fourth semiconductor fins have a second distance equal to or smaller than the first distance. An epitaxy is performed to simultaneously grow first epitaxy semiconductor regions from the first recesses and second epitaxy semiconductor regions from the second recesses. The first epitaxy semiconductor regions are merged with each other, and the second epitaxy semiconductor regions are separated from each other.

Abstract: A method for forming a semiconductor device includes recessing a gate conductor in a gate structure to form a first divot, forming a gate cap in the first divot and recessing a dielectric fill that encapsulates the gate structures to a position below a top of the gate cap. An extension layer is deposited over the dielectric fill and the top of the gate cap and is planarized to the top of the gate cap. The extension layer is expanded to form a profile growth layer that is thicker than the extension layer and creates a second divot over the gate cap. A top cap is formed in the second divot to provide a cap with a thickness of the gate cap and the top cap.

Abstract: A method includes forming a fin structure over a semiconductor substrate; forming a liner covering the fin structure; etching back the liner to expose an upper portion of the fin structure; forming a spacer covering the upper portion of the fin structure; etching the liner to expose a middle portion of the fin structure, wherein the remaining liner covers a lower portion of the fin structure; etching the middle portion of the fin structure; and forming a first source/drain structure surrounding the middle portion of the fin structure.

Abstract: Semiconductor devices and methods of forming the same include forming a dummy gate on a stack of alternating channel layers and sacrificial layers. A spacer layer is formed over the dummy gate and the stack. Portions of the spacer layer on horizontal surfaces of the stack are etched away to form vertical spacers. Exposed portions of the stack are etched away. Semiconductor material is grown from exposed sidewalls of remaining channel layers to form source and drain structures that are constrained in lateral dimensions by the vertical spacers.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus to remove epitaxial defects in semiconductors are disclosed. A disclosed example multilayered die structure includes a fin having a first material, where the fin is epitaxially grown from a first substrate layer having a second material, and where a defect portion of the fin is etched or polished. The disclosed example multilayered die structure also includes a second substrate layer having an opening through which the fin extends.

Abstract: A method is presented for fine-tuning a threshold voltage of a nanosheet structure. The method includes forming a nanosheet stack over a substrate including a plurality of sacrificial layers and a plurality of nanowires, forming a sacrificial gate structure over the nanosheet stack, and partially etching one or more sacrificial layers to form cavities, the partial etching resulting in remaining sections of sacrificial layers. The method includes removing the sacrificial gate structure, removing at least one of the remaining sections of sacrificial layers to expose a surface of each of the plurality of nanowires, forming an oxidation channel on the exposed surface on only either a top side or bottom side of each of the plurality of nanowires, removing the oxidation channels to form a recess on each of the plurality of nanowires, and depositing a high-k metal gate extending into the recess of each of the plurality of nanowires.

Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to semiconductor structures and, more particularly, to middle of line structures and methods of manufacture. The structure includes: a plurality of gate structures comprising source and/or drain metallization features; spacers on sidewalls of the gate structures and composed of a first material and a second material; and contacts in electrical contact with the source and/or drain metallization features, and separated from the gate structures by the spacers.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a semiconductor substrate, and a first transistor. The first transistor has a first gate on the semiconductor substrate, and a first lightly doped source/drain region within the semiconductor substrate to determine a first channel region beneath the first gate. A doping ratio determined as a concentration of the first lightly doped source/drain region divided by a concentration of the first channel region ranges from 1.0×1013 to 1.0×1017.

Abstract: Techniques related to forming selective gate spacers for semiconductor devices and transistor structures and devices formed using such techniques are discussed. Such techniques include forming a blocking material on a semiconductor fin, disposing a gate having a different surface chemistry than the blocking material on a portion of the blocking material, forming a selective conformal layer on the gate but not on a portion of the blocking material, and removing exposed portions of the blocking material.