Patent ID: 6441494
Filing Date: 2002-08-27
Classification: H01L

Abstract:
A contact structure for connecting a first conductive layer and a second conductive layer in a microelectronic device, comprising:a first dielectric layer formed on a substrate; a first conductive layer formed on the first dielectric layer, the first conductive layer having a pattern etched therein, the pattern defining an edge in the first conductive layer; a second dielectric layer deposited on the top surface of the first conductive layer; a hole located in the second dielectric layer and at least part of the first dielectric layer, wherein the hole exposes at least a portion of the edge in the first conductive layer and wherein the hole defines an undercut region in the first dielectric layer below the first conductive layer; a conductive material located in the hole, wherein the conductive material substantially fills the undercut region, and wherein the conductive material is in contact with at least a portion of the exposed edge in the first conductive layer; and a second conductive layer in contact with the conductive material, whereby the first and second conductive layers are brought into contact through the conductive material.