A method is provided for forming a fin cut that enables a single diffusion break in very dense CMOS structures formed using bulk semiconductor substrates. A dummy gate is removed from a finned structure to expose the top regions of the fins, the bottom fin regions being within a shallow trench isolation region. Selective vapor phase etching follows sequential ion implantation of the top and bottom fin regions to form a diffusion break cut region. The non-implanted regions of the substrate and the shallow trench isolation region remain substantially intact during each etching procedure. Double diffusion break cut regions are also enabled by the method.