Patent ID: 6984581

Claim:
A process, comprising: forming a first dielectric layer on a substrate, wherein the first dielectric layer has a dielectric constant; patterning the first dielectric layer such that a plurality of vertically oriented posts are formed on the substrate, the posts having a top surface; forming a second dielectric layer over and adjacent to the posts, the second dielectric layer having a top surface and substantially filling up the area adjacent to said posts, wherein the second dielectric layer has a dielectric constant, said dielectric constant of the first layer being higher than said dielectric constant of the second layer; wherein said plurality of vertically oriented posts are used to provide mechanical reinforcement of the second dielectric layer which makes up the bulk of an inter-layer dielectric material; polishing the second dielectric layer such that its top surface is substantially even with the top surfaces of the posts; and after forming the second dielectric layer, forming an inlaid metal interconnection in the second dielectric layer.