Abstract: The amount of Pt residues remaining after forming Pt-containing NiSi is reduced by performing a rework including applying SPM at a temperature of 130° C. in a SWC tool, if Pt residue is detected. Embodiments include depositing a layer of Ni/Pt on a semiconductor substrate, annealing the deposited Ni/Pt layer, removing unreacted Ni from the annealed Ni/Pt layer, annealing the Ni removed Ni/Pt layer, removing unreacted Pt from the annealed Ni removed Ni/Pt layer, analyzing the Pt removed Ni/Pt layer for unreacted Pt residue, and if unreacted Pt residue is detected, applying SPM to the Pt removed Ni/Pt layer in a SWC tool. The SPM may be applied to the Pt removed Ni?/Pt layer at a temperature of 130° C.

Abstract: Methods for forming a semiconductor device are provided. In one embodiment, a gate structure having a gate insulating layer and a gate electrode structure formed on the gate insulating layer is provided. The methods provide reducing a dimension of the gate electrode structure relative to the gate insulating layer along a direction extending in parallel to a direction connecting the source and drain. A semiconductor device structure having a gate structure including a gate insulating layer and a gate electrode structure formed above the gate insulating layer is provided, wherein a dimension of the gate electrode structure extending along a direction which is substantially parallel to a direction being oriented from source to drain is reduced relative to a dimension of the gate insulating layer. According to some examples, gate structures are provided having a gate silicon length which is decoupled from the channel width induced by the gate structure.

Abstract: A method for fabricating a semiconductor device includes forming a plurality of bit line structures over a substrate, forming contact holes between the bit line structures, forming sacrificial spacers on sidewalls of the contact holes, forming first plugs recessed inside the contact holes, forming air gaps by removing the sacrificial spacers, forming conductive capping layers capping the first plugs and the air gaps, and forming second plugs over the conductive capping layers.

Abstract: The likelihood of forming silicon germanium abnormal growths, which can be undesirably formed on the gate electrode of a strained-channel PMOS transistor at the same time that silicon germanium source and drain regions are formed, is substantially reduced by using protection materials that reduce the likelihood that the gate electrode is exposed during the formation of the silicon germanium source and drain regions.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a semiconductor device includes forming a gate dielectric layer comprising an oxide, and at least one conductive layer on a substrate, forming a mask on the conductive layer and patterning the at least one conductive layer by etching the at least one conductive layer using the mask as an etch mask to thereby form a gate electrode, wherein the oxide of the gate dielectric layer and the material of the at least one conductive layer are selected such that a byproduct of the etching of the at least one conductive layer, formed on the mask during the etching of the at least one conductive layer, comprises an oxide having a higher etch rate with respect to an etchant than the oxide of the gate dielectric layer.

Abstract: A method includes patterning a fin on a semiconductor substrate, depositing a local trench isolation (LTI) layer on the semiconductor substrate, patterning a gate stack over a channel region of the fin and over a portion of the LTI layer, depositing a first capping layer over exposed portions of the LTI layer, performing an etching process to remove oxide material from exposed portions of the fin, and epitaxially growing a semiconductor material from exposed portions of the fin to define active regions.

Abstract: One method disclosed includes forming a sidewall spacer proximate a gate structure, forming a sacrificial layer of material above a protective cap layer, the sidewall spacer and a substrate, forming a sacrificial protection layer above the sacrificial layer, reducing a thickness of the sacrificial protection layer such that its upper surface is positioned at a level that is below the upper surface of the protective cap layer, performing a first etching process to remove a portion of the sacrificial layer and thereby expose the protective cap layer for further processing, performing a wet acid etching process that includes diluted HF acid in the etch chemistry to remove the protective cap layer and performing at least one process operation to remove at least one of the reduced-thickness sacrificial protection layer or the sacrificial layer from above the surface of the substrate.

Abstract: A method for forming an integrated circuit system is provided including forming a semi-conducting layer over a substrate, forming a spacer stack having a gap filler adjacent to the semi-conducting layer and a inter-layer dielectric over the gap filler, forming a transition layer having a recess over the semi-conducting layer and adjacent to the spacer stack, and forming a metal layer in the recess.

Abstract: A method for performing a spacer etch process is described. The method includes conformally applying a spacer material over a gate structure on a substrate, and performing a spacer etch process sequence to partially remove the spacer material from the gate structure and the substrate, while retaining a sidewall spacer positioned along a sidewall of the gate structure. The spacer etch process sequence may include depositing a SiOCl-containing layer on an exposed surface of the spacer material to form a spacer protection layer.

Abstract: One illustrative method disclosed herein includes forming a plurality of spaced-apart trenches in a semiconducting substrate to thereby define a fin structure for the device, forming a local isolation region within each of the trenches, forming a sacrificial gate structure on the fin structure, wherein the sacrificial gate structure comprises at least a sacrificial gate electrode, and forming a layer of insulating material above the fin structure and within the trench above the local isolation region. In this example, the method further includes performing at least one etching process to remove the sacrificial gate structure to thereby define a gate cavity, after removing the sacrificial gate structure, performing at least one etching process to form a recess in the local isolation region, and forming a replacement gate structure that is positioned in the recess in the local isolation region and in the gate cavity.

Abstract: One method disclosed includes forming a sidewall spacer proximate a gate structure, forming a sacrificial layer of material above a protective cap layer, the sidewall spacer and a substrate, forming a sacrificial protection layer above the sacrificial layer, reducing a thickness of the sacrificial protection layer such that its upper surface is positioned at a level that is below the upper surface of the protective cap layer, performing a first etching process to remove a portion of the sacrificial layer and thereby expose the protective cap layer for further processing, performing a wet acid etching process that includes diluted HF acid in the etch chemistry to remove the protective cap layer and performing at least one process operation to remove at least one of the reduced-thickness sacrificial protection layer or the sacrificial layer from above the surface of the substrate.

Abstract: Various embodiments provide complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) devices and fabrication methods. An exemplary CMOS device can be formed by providing a first dummy gate over a semiconductor substrate in a first region, providing a second dummy gate over the semiconductor substrate in a second region, and amorphizing a surface portion of the first dummy gate to form a first amorphous silicon layer. The first amorphous silicon layer can be used to protect the first dummy gate in the first region, when a second opening is formed in the second region by wet etching at least the second dummy gate. A second metal gate can then be formed in the second opening, followed by removing the first amorphous silicon layer and at least the first dummy gate to form a first opening in the first region. A first metal gate can be formed in the first opening.

Abstract: A high voltage (HV) semiconductor device includes: a semiconductor substrate having a first conductivity type; a gate structure disposed over a portion of the semiconductor substrate; a pair of spacers respectively disposed over a sidewall of the gate structure, wherein one of the spacers is a composite spacer comprising a first insulating spacer contacting the gate structure, a dummy gate structure, and a second insulating spacer; a first drift region disposed in a portion of the semiconductor, underlying a portion of the gate structure and one of the pair of spacers, having a second conductivity type opposite to the first conductivity type; and a pair of doping regions, respectively disposed in a portion of the semiconductor substrate on opposite sides of the gate structure, wherein the pair of doping regions include the second conductivity type and one of the doping regions is disposed in the first drift region.

Abstract: A MOS transistor including, above a gate insulator, a conductive gate stack having a height, a length, and a width, this stack having a lower portion close to the gate insulator and an upper portion, wherein the stack has a first length in its lower portion, and a second length shorter than the first length in its upper portion.

Abstract: Methods of forming semiconductor structures having channel regions strained by encapsulated silicide formation. Embodiments include forming a transistor, depositing an interlevel dielectric (ILD) layer above the transistor, forming contact recesses exposing portions of source/drain regions of the transistor, forming metal-rich silicide layers on the exposed portions of the source/drain regions, forming metal contacts in the contact recesses above the metal-rich silicide layers, and converting the metal-rich silicide layer to a silicon-rich silicide layer. In other embodiments, the metal-rich silicide layers are formed on the source/drain regions prior to ILD layer deposition.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a semiconductor device comprises: forming an etch stop layer to cover sidewall and top surfaces of first and second dummy gate patterns on a substrate; and forming an interlayer insulating layer on the substrate and the etch stop layer. The interlayer insulating layer is planarized to expose the etch stop layer on the first and second dummy gate patterns, and the etch stop layer is etched to expose the top surfaces and upper sidewall surfaces of the first and second dummy gate patterns, thereby forming a groove between the interlayer insulating layer and the first and second dummy gate patterns. The dummy gate patterns are removed, and gate electrodes are formed in their places.

Abstract: FinFET structures and methods of manufacturing the FinFET structures are disclosed. The method includes performing an oxygen anneal process on a gate stack of a FinFET structure to induce Vt shift. The oxygen anneal process is performed after sidewall pull down and post silicide.

Abstract: Provided is a semiconductor structure including a gate structure, a first spacer, and a second spacer. The gate structure is formed on a substrate and includes a gate material layer, a first hard mask layer disposed on the gate material layer, and a second hard mask layer disposed on the first hard mask layer. The first spacer is disposed on sidewalls of the gate structure. The second spacer is disposed adjacent to the first spacer. The etch rate of the first hard mask layer, the etch rate of the first spacer, and the etch rate of the second spacer are substantially the same and significantly smaller than the etch rate of the second hard mask layer in a rinsing solution.

Abstract: One method disclosed includes forming a gate structure of a transistor above a surface of a semiconducting substrate, forming a sidewall spacer proximate the gate structure, forming a sacrificial layer of material above the protective cap layer, sidewall spacer and substrate, forming an OPL layer above the sacrificial layer, reducing a thickness of the OPL layer such that, after the reduction, an upper surface of the OPL layer is positioned at a level that is below a level of an upper surface of the protective cap layer, performing a first etching process to remove the sacrificial layer from above the protective cap layer to expose the protective cap layer for further processing, performing a second etching process to remove the protective cap layer and performing at least one process operation to remove at least one of the OPL layer or the sacrificial layer from above the surface of the substrate.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device having metal gate includes providing a substrate having at least a dummy gate, a sacrificial layer covering sidewalls of the dummy gate and a dielectric layer exposing a top of the dummy gate formed thereon, forming a sacrificial layer covering sidewalls of the dummy gate on the substrate, forming a dielectric layer exposing a top of the dummy gate on the substrate, performing a first etching process to remove a portion of the sacrificial layer surrounding the top of the dummy gate to form at least a first recess, and performing a second etching process to remove the dummy gate to form a second recess. The first recess and the second recess construct a T-shaped gate trench.

Abstract: An anisotropic silicon nitride etch provides selectivity to silicon and silicon oxide by forming a fluorohydrocarbon-containing polymer on silicon surfaces and silicon oxide surfaces. Selective fluorohydrocarbon deposition is employed to provide selectivity to non-nitride surfaces. The fluorohydrocarbon-containing polymer interacts with silicon nitride to form a volatile compound, thereby enabling etching of silicon nitride. The fluorohydrocarbon-containing polymer interacts with silicon oxide at a low reaction rate, retarding, or completely stopping, the etching of silicon oxide. The fluorohydrocarbon-containing polymer does not interact with silicon, and protects silicon from the plasma. The anisotropic silicon nitride etch can be employed to etch silicon nitride selective to silicon and silicon oxide in any dimension, including small dimensions less than 50 nm.

Abstract: A dielectric constant of spacer material in a transistor is changed from a high-? dielectric material to a low-? dielectric material. The process uses oxidation treatments to enable the transformation of the high-? dielectric material to a low-? dielectric material.

Abstract: A semiconductor structure in fabrication includes a NFET and a PFET. Spacers adjacent gate structures of the NFET and PFET have undesired divots that can lead to substrate damage from chemicals used in a subsequent etch. The fabrication also leaves hard masks over the gate structures with non-uniform height. The divots are filled with material resistant to the chemicals used in the etch. Excess filler is removed, and uniform height is restored. Further fabrication may then proceed.

Abstract: An integrated circuit structure includes a first gate strip; a gate spacer on a sidewall of the first gate strip; and a contact etch stop layer (CESL) having a bottom portion lower than a top surface of the gate spacer, wherein a portion of a sidewall of the gate spacer has no CESL formed thereon.

Abstract: A semiconductor device and a method of making a semiconductor device are disclosed. The method of manufacturing a semiconductor device comprises forming a material layer on a substrate, patterning a first semi-global region with a first main pattern and patterning a second semi-global region with a second main pattern, wherein the first main pattern is different than the second main pattern. The method further comprises introducing a first dummy pattern in the first semi-global region so that a first sidewall area surface density of the first main pattern and the first dummy pattern in the first semi-global region and a second sidewall area surface density of the second main pattern in the second semi-global region are substantially a same density.

Abstract: A MOS device and methods for its fabrication are provided. In one embodiment the MOS device is fabricated on and within a semiconductor substrate. The method includes forming a gate structure having a top and sidewalls and having a gate insulator overlying the semiconductor substrate, a gate electrode overlying the gate insulator, and a cap overlying the gate electrode. An oxide liner is deposited over the top and sidewalls of the gate structure. In the method, the cap is etched from the gate structure and oxide needles extending upward from the gate structure are exposed. A stress-inducing layer is deposited over the oxide needles and gate structure and the semiconductor substrate is annealed. Then, the stress-inducing liner is removed.

Abstract: One method includes forming a sacrificial gate structure above a substrate, forming a first sidewall spacer adjacent a sacrificial gate electrode, removing a portion of the first sidewall spacer to expose a portion of the sidewalls of the sacrificial gate electrode, and forming a liner layer on the exposed sidewalls of the sacrificial gate electrode and above a residual portion of the first sidewall spacer. The method further includes forming a first layer of insulating material above the liner layer, forming a second sidewall spacer above the first layer of insulating material and adjacent the liner layer, performing an etching process to remove the second sidewall spacer and sacrificial gate cap layer to expose an upper surface of the sacrificial gate electrode, removing the sacrificial gate electrode to define a gate cavity at least partially defined laterally by the liner layer, and forming a replacement gate structure in the cavity.

Abstract: A metal gate process includes the following steps. An isolating layer on a substrate is provided, where the isolating layer has a first recess and a second recess. A first metal layer covering the first recess and the second recess is formed. A material is filled in the first recess but exposing a top part of the first recess. The first metal layer in the top part of the first recess and in the second recess is simultaneously removed. The material is removed. A second metal layer and a metal gate layer in the first recess and the second recess are sequentially filled.

Abstract: The carbon nanotube-based electronic and photonic devices are disclosed. The devices are united by the same technology as well as similar elements for their fabrication. The devices consist of the vertically grown semiconductor nanotube having two Schottky barriers at the nanotube ends and one Schottky barrier at the middle of the nanotube. Depending on the Schottky barrier heights and bias arrangements, the disclosed devices can operate either as transistors, CNT MESFET and CNT Hot Electron Transistor, or as a CNT Photon Emitter.

Abstract: Memory arrays and their formation are disclosed. The formation of one such memory array includes forming first and second spacers respectively adjacent to sidewalls of first and second conductors so that the first and second spacers extend into an opening between the first and second conductors and terminate above bottoms of the first and second conductors, and closing the opening with a material that extends between the first and second spacers so that an air gap is formed in the closed opening.

Abstract: An integrated circuit structure includes a semiconductor substrate, and a FinFET over the semiconductor substrate. The FinFET includes a semiconductor fin; a gate dielectric on a top surface and sidewalls of the semiconductor fin; a gate electrode on the gate dielectric; and a source/drain region at an end of the semiconductor fin. A first pair of shallow trench isolation (STI) regions includes portions directly underlying portions of the source/drain regions, wherein the first pair of STI regions is separated by, and adjoining a semiconductor strip. The first pair of STI regions further has first top surfaces. A second pair of STI regions comprises portions directly underlying the gate electrode, wherein the second pair of STI regions is separated from each other by, and adjoining, the semiconductor strip. The second pair of STI regions has second top surfaces higher than the first top surfaces.

Abstract: Methods of manufacturing three-dimensional semiconductor devices that may include forming a first spacer on a sidewall inside a first opening formed in a first stack structure, forming a sacrificial filling pattern on the spacer to fill the first opening, forming a second stack structure including a second opening exposing the sacrificial filling pattern on the first stack structure, forming a second spacer on a sidewall inside the second opening, removing the sacrificial filling pattern and removing the first spacer and the second spacer.

Abstract: Methods of fabricating replacement metal gate transistors using bi-layer a hardmask are disclosed. By utilizing a bi-layer hardmask comprised of a first layer of nitride, followed by a second layer of oxide, the topography issues caused by transition regions of gates are mitigated, which simplifies downstream processing steps and improves yield.

Abstract: A method for fabricating an integrated circuit includes forming a temporary gate structure on a semiconductor substrate. The temporary gate structure includes a temporary gate material disposed between two spacer structures. The method further includes forming a first directional silicon nitride liner overlying the temporary gate structure and the semiconductor substrate, etching the first directional silicon nitride liner overlying the temporary gate structure and the temporary gate material to form a trench between the spacer structures, while leaving the directional silicon nitride liner overlying the semiconductor substrate in place, and forming a replacement metal gate structure in the trench.

Abstract: A method for fabricating a metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistor includes the following steps. Firstly, a substrate is provided. A gate structure, a first spacer, a second spacer and a source/drain structure are formed over the substrate. The second spacer includes an inner layer and an outer layer. Then, a thinning process is performed to reduce the thickness of the second spacer, thereby retaining the inner layer of the second spacer. After a stress film is formed on the inner layer of the second spacer and the source/drain structure, an annealing process is performed. Afterwards, the stress film is removed.

Abstract: Integrated circuits and methods for fabricating integrated circuits are provided. In an embodiment, a method for fabricating an integrated circuit includes forming a sacrificial gate structure over a semiconductor substrate. A spacer is formed around the sacrificial gate structure and a dielectric material is deposited over the spacer and semiconductor substrate. The method includes selectively etching the spacer to form a trench between the sacrificial gate structure and the dielectric material. The trench is bounded by a trench surface upon which a replacement spacer material is deposited. The method merges an upper region of the replacement spacer material to enclose a void within the replacement spacer material.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a method for manufacturing a semiconductor device. According to the method provided by the present disclosure, a dummy gate is formed on a substrate, removing the dummy gate to form an opening having side walls and a bottom gate, a dielectric material is formed on at least a portion of the sidewalls of the opening and the bottom surface of the opening, and a pre-treatment is performed to a portion of the dielectric material layer on the sidewalls of the opening, and thus the properties of the dielectric material is changed, and then the pre-treated dielectric material on the sidewalls of the opening is removed by a selective process. The semiconductor device manufactured by using the method of the present disclosure is capable of effectively reducing parasitic capacitance.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a replacement metal gate structure for a CMOS device. The method includes forming a dummy gate structure on an nFET portion and a pFET portion of the CMOS device; depositing an interlayer dielectric between the dummy gate structures; removing the dummy gate structures from the nFET portion and the pFET portion, resulting in a recess on the nFET portion and a recess on the pFET portion; depositing a first layer of titanium nitride into the recesses on the nFET portion and pFET portion; removing the first layer of titanium nitride from the nFET portion only; depositing a second layer of titanium nitride into the recesses on the nFET portion and pFET portion; depositing a gate metal onto the second layer of titanium nitride in the recesses on the nFET portion and pFET portion to fill the remainder of the recesses.

Abstract: A semiconductor device is disclosed. The semiconductor device includes: a substrate; a gate structure disposed on the substrate, wherein the gate structure has a high-k dielectric layer; a first seal layer disposed on a sidewall of the gate structure, wherein the first seal layer is an oxygen-free seal layer and is non-L-shaped; and a second seal layer disposed on a sidewall of the first seal layer, wherein the second seal layer is an L-shaped seal layer.

Abstract: A method for fabricating a semiconductor device is disclosed. The method includes forming a gate stack over a substrate, forming spacers adjoining opposite sidewalls of the gate stack, forming a sacrificial layer adjoining the spacers, removing a portion of the sacrificial layer, removing a portion of the spacers to form a recess cavity below the left spacers. Then, a strain feature is formed in the recess cavity. The disclosed method provides an improved method by providing a space between the spacer and the substrate for forming the strained feature, therefor, to enhance carrier mobility and upgrade the device performance.

Abstract: A dielectric metal compound liner can be deposited on a semiconductor fin prior to formation of a disposable gate structure. The dielectric metal compound liner protects the semiconductor fin during the pattering of the disposable gate structure and a gate spacer. The dielectric metal compound liner can be removed prior to formation of source and drain regions and a replacement gate structure. Alternately, a dielectric metal compound liner can be deposited on a semiconductor fin and a gate stack, and can be removed after formation of a gate spacer. Further, a dielectric metal compound liner can be deposited on a semiconductor fin and a disposable gate structure, and can be removed after formation of a gate spacer and removal of the disposable gate structure. The dielectric metal compound liner can protect the semiconductor fin during formation of the gate spacer in each embodiment.

Abstract: One method includes forming first sidewall spacers adjacent opposite sides of a sacrificial gate structure and a gate cap layer, removing the gate cap layer and a portion of the first sidewall spacers to define reduced-height first sidewall spacers, forming second sidewall spacers, removing the sacrificial gate structure to thereby define a gate cavity, whereby a portion of the gate cavity is laterally defined by the second sidewall spacers, and forming a replacement gate structure in the gate cavity, wherein at least a first portion of the replacement gate structure is positioned between the second sidewall spacers. A device includes a gate structure positioned above the substrate between first and second spaced-apart portions of a layer of insulating material and a plurality of first sidewall spacers, each of which are positioned between the gate structure and on one of the first and second portions of the layer of insulating material.

Abstract: A semiconductor device can include a first gate electrode including a gate insulating pattern, a gate conductive pattern and a capping pattern that are sequentially stacked on a semiconductor substrate, and a first spacer of a low dielectric constant disposed on a lower sidewall of the first gate electrode. A second spacer of a high dielectric constant, that is greater than the low dielectric constant, is disposed on an upper sidewall of the first gate electrode above the first spacer.

Abstract: One method disclosed herein includes forming at least one sacrificial sidewall spacer adjacent a sacrificial gate structure that is formed above a semiconducting substrate, removing at least a portion of the sacrificial gate structure to thereby define a gate cavity that is laterally defined by the sacrificial spacer, forming a replacement gate structure in the gate cavity, removing the sacrificial spacer to thereby define a spacer cavity adjacent the replacement gate structure, and forming a low-k spacer in the spacer cavity. A novel device disclosed herein includes a gate structure positioned above a semiconducting substrate, wherein the gate insulation layer has two upstanding portions that are substantially vertically oriented relative to an upper surface of the substrate. The device further includes a low-k sidewall spacer positioned adjacent each of the vertically oriented upstanding portions of the gate insulation layer.

Abstract: The semiconductor device includes a silicon substrate having a channel region, a gate electrode formed over the channel region, buried semiconductor regions formed in a surface of the silicon substrate on both sides of the gate electrode, for applying to the surface of the silicon substrate a first stress in a first direction parallel to the surface of the silicon substrate, and stressor films formed on the silicon substrate between the channel region and the buried semiconductor regions in contact with the silicon substrate, for applying to the silicon substrate a second stress in a second direction which is opposite to the first direction.

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.

Abstract: A semiconductor device having a metal gate includes a substrate having a plurality of shallow trench isolations (STIs) formed therein, at least a metal gate positioned on the substrate, and at least a pair of auxiliary dummy structures respectively positioned at two sides of the metal gate and on the substrate.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method of forming a semiconductor device. In one example, the method includes forming a gate electrode structure above a semiconducting substrate, wherein the gate electrode structure includes a gate insulation layer, a gate electrode, a first sidewall spacer positioned proximate the gate electrode, and a gate cap layer, and forming an etch stop layer above the gate cap layer and above the substrate proximate the gate electrode structure. The method further includes forming a layer of spacer material above the etch stop layer, and performing at least one first planarization process to remove the portion of said layer of spacer material positioned above the gate electrode, the portion of the etch stop layer positioned above the gate electrode and the gate cap layer.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a plurality of first conductive patterns separated by a damascene pattern, a second conductive pattern buried in the damascene pattern, and a spacer including an air gap between the second conductive pattern and the first conductive patterns.

Abstract: A finFET structure includes a semiconductor fin located over a substrate. A gate electrode is located traversing the semiconductor fin. The gate electrode has a spacer layer located adjoining a sidewall thereof. The spacer layer does not cover completely a sidewall of the semiconductor fin. The gate electrode and the spacer layer may be formed using a vapor deposition method that provides for selective deposition upon a sidewall of a mandrel layer but not upon an adjoining surface of the substrate, so that the spacer layer does not cover completely the sidewall of the semiconductor fin. Other microelectronic structures may be fabricated using the lateral growth methodology.