A semiconductor structure is provided. The semiconductor structure includes a base substrate; and a first doped epitaxial layer and a second doped epitaxial layer in the base substrate. Each of the first and second doped epitaxial layers is corresponding to a different gate structure on the base substrate. The semiconductor structure further includes a repaired dielectric layer formed on and surrounding each of the first and second doped epitaxial layer; a metal layer on the repaired dielectric layer; an interlayer dielectric layer over the base substrate and covering tops of gate structures; and a conductive plug on the metal layer and through the interlayer dielectric layer.

A semiconductor structure is provided. The semiconductor structure includes a base substrate; and a first doped epitaxial layer and a second doped epitaxial layer in the base substrate. Each of the first and second doped epitaxial layers is corresponding to a different gate structure on the base substrate. The semiconductor structure further includes a repaired dielectric layer formed on and surrounding each of the first and second doped epitaxial layer; a metal layer on the repaired dielectric layer; an interlayer dielectric layer over the base substrate and covering tops of gate structures; and a conductive plug on the metal layer and through the interlayer dielectric layer.

A semiconductor structure and fabrication method are provided. The method includes: providing a base substrate; forming doped epitaxial layers in the base substrate on sides of a gate structure on the base substrate; forming an interlayer dielectric layer over the base substrate and above the doped epitaxial layers; forming a contact opening in the interlayer dielectric layer; forming a dielectric layer on and surrounding each doped epitaxial layer; applying a repairing process on the dielectric layer; after the repairing process, forming a metal layer on the dielectric layer; and after forming the metal layer in the contact opening, forming a conductive plug in the contact opening.

A method includes forming a first fin and a second fin protruding from a frontside of a substrate, forming a gate stack over the first and second fins, forming a dielectric feature dividing the gate stack into a first segment engaging the first fin and a second segment engaging the second fin, and growing a first epitaxial feature on the first fin and a second epitaxial feature on the second fin. The dielectric feature is disposed between the first and second epitaxial features. The method also includes performing an etching process on a backside of the substrate to form a backside trench, and forming a backside via in the backside trench. The backside trench exposes the dielectric feature and the first and second epitaxial features. The backside via straddles the dielectric feature and is in electrical connection with the first and second epitaxial features.

A method includes forming a dummy gate stack on a semiconductor fin, forming gate spacers on sidewalls of the dummy gate stack, forming a first inter-layer dielectric, with the gate spacers and the dummy gate stack being in the first inter-layer dielectric, removing the dummy gate stack to form a trench between the gate spacers, forming a replacement gate stack in the trench, and depositing a dielectric capping layer. A bottom surface of the dielectric capping layer contacts a first top surface of the replacement gate stack and a second top surface of the first inter-layer dielectric. A second inter-layer dielectric is deposited over the dielectric capping layer. A source/drain contact plug is formed and extends into the second inter-layer dielectric, the dielectric capping layer, and the first inter-layer dielectric.

A semiconductor structure and fabrication method are provided. The method includes: providing a base substrate; forming doped epitaxial layers in the base substrate on sides of a gate structure on the base substrate; forming an interlayer dielectric layer over the base substrate and above the doped epitaxial layers; forming a contact opening in the interlayer dielectric layer; forming a dielectric layer on and surrounding each doped epitaxial layer; applying a repairing process on the dielectric layer; after the repairing process, forming a metal layer on the dielectric layer; and after forming the metal layer in the contact opening, forming a conductive plug in the contact opening.

A method includes forming a dummy gate stack on a semiconductor fin, forming gate spacers on sidewalls of the dummy gate stack, forming a first inter-layer dielectric, with the gate spacers and the dummy gate stack being in the first inter-layer dielectric, removing the dummy gate stack to form a trench between the gate spacers, forming a replacement gate stack in the trench, and depositing a dielectric capping layer. A bottom surface of the dielectric capping layer contacts a first top surface of the replacement gate stack and a second top surface of the first inter-layer dielectric. A second inter-layer dielectric is deposited over the dielectric capping layer. A source/drain contact plug is formed and extends into the second inter-layer dielectric, the dielectric capping layer, and the first inter-layer dielectric.