Patent ID: 7282802

Claim:
An interconnect structure comprising: a first dielectric layer having at least one metallic interconnect embedded therein, wherein said at least one metallic interconnect has a metallic interconnect top surface; a second dielectric layer that is located atop said first dielectric layer and has at least one aperture having an upper line region containing at least one metal line with a metal line bottom surface and a lower via region containing at least one metal via, wherein said metal line bottom surface contacts said lower via region, said at least one metal via includes a cylindrical portion with a substantially constant horizontal cross-sectional area and having a cylindrical portion top surface, at least one substantially vertical sidewall, and a kinked interface that lies above, but not directly within, said at least one metallic interconnect embedded in said first dielectric layer, said at least one substantially vertical sidewall adjoins said kinked interface and said cylindrical portion top surface, said metal line has a top surface that is substantially at the same level over said at least one metal via as over an area outside said at least one metal via, and said cylindrical portion top surface abuts said metal line bottom surface; at least one pair of liners having a liner bottom surface and located on at least vertical walls of said at least one aperture, wherein said liner bottom surface is located below said metallic interconnect top surface; and a conductive material filling said at least one aperture.