Contacts formed with self-aligned cuts

Abstract

Structures and methods of fabricating structures that include contacts coupled with a source/drain region of a field-effect transistor. Source/drain regions are formed adjacent to a temporary gate structure. A sacrificial layer may be disposed over the source/drain regions and a dielectric pillar is formed in the sacrificial layer between the source/drain regions, followed by deposition of a fill material, replacement of the temporary gate structure with a functional gate structure, and removal of the fill material. Alternatively, the fill material is formed first and the temporary gate structure is replaced by a functional gate structure; following removal of the fill material, a sacrificial layer is disposed over the source/drain regions and a dielectric pillar is formed in the sacrificial layer between the source/drain regions. A conductive layer having separate portions contacting the separate source/drain regions is formed, with the dielectric pillar separating the portions of the conductive layer.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.