US Patent 10229854 FinFET gate cut after dummy gate removal

Semiconductor devices and methods of forming the same include forming dummy gates over a semiconductor fin. An interlayer dielectric is formed around and between the dummy gates. The dummy gates are etched away, leaving gate voids. A first planarizing material is deposited in and over the gate voids. The first planarizing material is removed in a gate cut region. A gate cut plug is deposited in the gate cut region. The remaining first planarizing material is removed to expose the gate voids outside of the gate cut region. A gate stack is formed in the gate voids outside of the gate cut region.