Method of forming semiconductor device including source/drain contact having height below gate stack

Abstract

Provided is a semiconductor device and methods of forming the same. The semiconductor device includes a substrate having source/drain regions and a channel region between the source/drain regions; a gate structure over the substrate and adjacent to the channel region; source/drain contacts over the source/drain regions and electrically connecting to the source/drain regions; and a contact protection layer over the source/drain contacts. The gate structure includes a gate stack and a spacer. A top surface of the source/drain contacts is lower than a top surface of the spacer, which is substantially co-planar with a top surface of the contact protection layer. The contact protection layer prevents accidental shorts between the gate stack and the source/drain regions when gate vias are formed over the gate stack. Therefore, gate vias may be formed over any portion of the gate stack, even in areas that overlap the channel region from a top view.