US Patent 10170318 Self-aligned contact and manufacturing method thereof

A semiconductor device and a method of forming the semiconductor device are disclosed. A method includes forming a gate stack over a semiconductor structure. The gate stack is recessed to form a first recess. A first dielectric layer is formed along a bottom and sidewalls of the first recess, the first dielectric layer having a first etch rate. A second dielectric layer is formed over the first dielectric layer, the second dielectric layer having a second etch rate, the first etch rate being higher than the second etch rate. A third dielectric layer is formed over the second dielectric layer. An etch rate of a portion of the third dielectric layer is altered. The first dielectric layer, the second dielectric layer, and the third dielectric layer are recessed to form a second recess. A capping layer is formed in the second recess.