Patent attributes
A method includes depositing a gate dielectric layer; depositing a work-function (WF) metal layer over the gate dielectric layer; and etching the WF metal layer through an etch mask, thereby removing the first portion of the WF metal layer while keeping the second portion of the WF metal layer, wherein a sidewall of the second portion of the WF metal layer is exposed. The method further includes forming a first barrier on the sidewall of the second portion of the WF metal layer and depositing a gate metal layer. A first portion of the gate metal layer is deposited over the gate dielectric layer, a second portion of the gate metal layer is deposited over the first barrier and the second portion of the WF metal layer. The first barrier is disposed between the first portion of the gate metal layer and the second portion of the WF metal layer.