Patent ID: 7375012

Claim:
A method of constructing a multilayer film, comprising: applying a second layer of nanometer-scale-thickness over a first layer covered in part by a mask having a first protrusion, the first protrusion effective to prohibit application of the second layer over a first contact region of the first layer and where the first protrusion is oriented a first application distance away from the first contact region so as to permit a shadow effect to occur while the second layer is being applied thereby causing the first contact region to have an area smaller than that of the first protrusion; and applying a third layer over the applied second layer while the first protrusion is oriented at a second application distance away from the first contact region, where the second application distance is less than that of the first application distance and prohibits application of the third layer to the first contact region as well as a region of the applied second layer that at least partially surrounds the first contact region.