Patent ID: 8551800

Claim:
A method of forming a semiconductor structure, the method comprising: forming at least one conductive pad at a surface of a substrate; applying a dielectric material over and in contact with the substrate and the at least one conductive pad; removing a portion of the dielectric material to expose a surface of the at least one conductive pad; applying a fill material over the dielectric material and the surface of the at least one conductive pad, the fill material comprising a material selectively removable with respect to the dielectric material; forming at least one metal structure over a boundary between the fill material and the dielectric material, the at least one metal structure extending onto a portion of the fill material and over a portion of the dielectric material; forming at least one conductive contact over a portion of the at least one metal structure, an end of the at least one metal structure located over the fill material exposed laterally beyond an outer periphery of the at least one conductive contact; applying another dielectric material over the at least one conductive contact and surfaces of the dielectric material and the fill material; removing the another dielectric material and the fill material overlying the at least one conductive pad to form a cavity, the cavity exposing the surface of the at least one conductive pad and at least a laterally protruding portion of the at least one conductive contact; and after removing the another dielectric material, forming a switching element with a base on the at least one conductive pad, a body extending from the base, and an end laterally adjacent a portion of the at least one conductive contact.