Semiconductor device fabrication method including hard mask and sacrificial spacer elements

Abstract

Provided is a method of fabricating a semiconductor device. A first hard mask layer is formed on a substrate. A second hard mask layer s formed the substrate overlying the first hard mask layer. A dummy gate structure on the substrate is formed on the substrate by using at least one of the first and the second hard mask layers to pattern the dummy gate structure. A spacer element is formed adjacent the dummy gate structure. A strained region on the substrate adjacent the spacer element (e.g., abutting the spacer element). The second hard mask layer and the spacer element are then removed after forming the strained region.