Source and drain epitaxy re-shaping

Abstract

The present disclosure describes a method to form silicon germanium (SiGe) source/drain regions with the incorporation of a lateral etch in the epitaxial source/drain growth process. For example, the method can include forming a plurality of fins on a substrate, where each of the plurality of fins has a first width. The SiGe source/drain regions can be formed on the plurality of fins, where each SiGe source/drain region has a second width in a common direction with the first width and a height. The method can also include selectively etching—e.g., via a lateral etch—the SiGe source/drain regions to decrease the second width of the SiGe source/drain regions. By decreasing the width of the SiGe source/drain regions, electrical shorts between neighboring fins can be prevented or minimized. Further, the method can include growing an epitaxial capping layer over the Si/Ge source/drain regions.