Patent ID: 7586196

Claim:
An apparatus comprising: a first layer having a first at least one interconnect formed in an interlayer dielectric (ILD); a second layer formed over the first layer; a third layer formed over the second layer, wherein the third layer at least partially defines an air gap between the second layer and the third layer; a second at least one interconnect extending from a bottom portion of the second layer through the second layer, across the air gap to a position adjacent the third layer; and at least one shunt comprising a first material different from a second material of the first and second at least one interconnects selectively covering the top of the first and second at least one interconnects, the at least one shunt between the first and the second interconnect, and between the second interconnect and the third interconnect, wherein the first material has a property that inhibits electromigration of the second material into the second layer or third layer.