DISPOSABLE CARBON-BASED TEMPLATE LAYER FOR FORMATION OF BORDERLESS CONTACT STRUCTURES

摘要

After formation of gate stacks, a carbon-based template layer is deposited over the gate stacks, and is optionally planarized to provide a planar top surface. A hard mask layer and a photoresist layer are subsequently formed above the carbon-based template layer. A pattern including openings is formed within the photoresist layer. The pattern is subsequently transferred through the hard mask layer and the carbon-based template layer with high selectivity to gate spacers to form self-aligned cavities within the carbon-based template layer. Contact structures are formed within the carbon-based template layer by a damascene method. The hard mask layer and the carbon-based template layer are subsequently removed selective to the contact structures. The contact structures can be formed as contact bar structures or contact via structures. Optionally, a contact-level dielectric layer can be subsequently deposited.