Forming interconnect without gate cut isolation blocking opening formation

Abstract

A method includes forming a gate cut opening by removing a sacrificial material from a portion of a dummy gate in a first dielectric over a substrate. The gate cut opening includes a lower portion in which the sacrificial material was located and an upper portion extending laterally over the first dielectric. Filling the gate cut opening with a second dielectric creates a gate cut isolation. Recessing the second dielectric creates a cap opening in the second dielectric; and filling the cap opening with a third dielectric creates a dielectric cap. The third dielectric is different than the second dielectric, e.g., oxide versus nitride, allowing forming of an interconnect in at least a portion of the third dielectric without the second, harder dielectric acting as an etch stop.