Patent ID: 7300867

Claim:
A method for forming an interconnect structure on a substrate, the substrate comprising a first layer of a first dielectric material having at least one first conductor embedded therein, the first conductor having a top surface coplanar with a top surface of the first layer of the first dielectric material, the method comprising steps of: depositing a second layer of a second dielectric material on the first layer of first dielectric material; forming at least one first opening in the second layer of the second dielectric material, the first opening partially exposing the first conductor; depositing a first conductive liner on a bottom and sidewalls of the first opening after depositing the first conductive liner, filling the first opening with a first conductive material; removing a top portion of the first conductive material; forming at least one second opening in the second layer of the second dielectric material, the second opening overlying the first conductive material, and the second opening having a lateral extent greater than that of the first opening; and depositing a second conductive liner on a bottom and sidewalls of the second opening after depositing the second conductive liner, filling the second opening with a second conductive material, wherein the second conductive material is different from the first conductive material, and the second conductive material has a top surface which is made coplanar with a top surface of the second layer of the second dielectric material.