Patent ID: 7494915

Claim:
A method of forming an interconnect structure comprising the steps of: providing a lower electrical contact including a lower interconnect member covered by a cap layer; depositing an ILD and forming an interconnect aperture therein extending down to make contact with said cap layer on said lower interconnect member; depositing a liner layer in said interconnect aperture; removing said liner layer on at least the bottom surface of said interconnect aperture, thereby exposing a top surface of said cap layer; removing material from the interface of said lower interconnect member and the bottom surface of said interconnect aperture in a generally cone shape having a height greater than the radius, thereby forming a second aperture within said lower interconnect member; and depositing conductive material in said interconnect aperture, thereby establishing a joint between said lower interconnect member and an upper interconnect member formed by said conductive material in said interconnect aperture.