Metal gate cut formed after source and drain contacts

Abstract

Techniques are provided herein to form semiconductor devices that include a gate cut formed after the formation of source/drain contacts. In an example, a semiconductor device includes a gate structure around or otherwise on a semiconductor region that extends from a source region to a drain region. Conductive contacts formed over the source and drain regions along a source/drain trench. The gate structure may be interrupted with a dielectric gate cut that further extends past the gate trench and into the source/drain trench where it can cut into one or more of the contacts. The contacts are formed before the gate cut to ensure complete fill of conductive material when forming the contacts. Accordingly, a liner structure on the conductive contacts is also broken by the intrusion of the gate cut and does not extend further up or down the sidewalls of the gate cut.