US Patent 10431473 FINFET with source/drain structure and method of fabrication thereof

A semiconductor device includes a substrate including a first fin element, a second fin element, and a third fin element. A first source/drain epitaxial feature is disposed over the first and second fin elements. A first portion of the first source/drain epitaxial feature disposed on the first fin element and a second portion of the first source/drain epitaxial feature disposed on the second fin element merge at a merge point. A second source/drain epitaxial feature is disposed over the third fin element. A first sidewall of the second source/drain epitaxial feature interfaces a first third-fin spacer disposed along a first sidewall of the third fin element. A second sidewall of the second source/drain epitaxial feature interfaces a second third-fin spacer disposed along a second sidewall of the third fin element. The merge point has a first height less than a second height of the first third-fin spacer.