| CPC H10D 84/038 (2025.01) [H01L 21/28518 (2013.01); H01L 21/31055 (2013.01); H01L 21/764 (2013.01); H10D 30/62 (2025.01); H10D 62/115 (2025.01); H10D 64/015 (2025.01); H10D 84/013 (2025.01); H10D 84/0135 (2025.01); H10D 84/0147 (2025.01); H10D 84/0149 (2025.01); H10D 84/0151 (2025.01); H10D 84/0158 (2025.01); H10D 84/834 (2025.01)] | 20 Claims |

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1. A method, comprising:
providing a workpiece including a metal gate structure (MG), a first gate spacer disposed along a sidewall of the MG, a second gate spacer disposed along a sidewall of the first gate spacer, and a source/drain (S/D) feature disposed adjacent to the second gate spacer;
forming a contact trench over the S/D feature;
removing the second gate spacer to form an air gap between the MG and the S/D feature;
depositing a first dielectric layer over the S/D feature and partially filling the air gap;
removing a first portion of the first dielectric layer to expose a central portion of a top surface of the S/D feature, wherein a side portion of the top surface of the S/D feature remains under the first dielectric layer;
forming an S/D contact in the contact trench;
removing at least a second portion of the first dielectric layer to extend the air gap; and
depositing a second dielectric layer over the air gap.
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