Patent ID: 8026606

Claim:
A structure, comprising: (a) an interlevel dielectric (ILD) layer; (b) a first electrically conductive line and a second electrically conductive line both residing in the ILD layer; (c) a diffusion barrier region residing in the ILD layer, wherein the diffusion barrier region (i) physically isolates, (ii) electrically couples together, and (iii) are in direct physical contact with the first and second electrically conductive lines, wherein the first and second electrically conductive lines each comprises at least a first electrically conductive material, wherein the diffusion barrier region comprises at least a second electrically conductive material different from the first electrically conductive material, wherein the diffusion barrier region is adapted to prevent a diffusion of the first electrically conductive material through the diffusion barrier region, wherein the diffusion barrier region comprises a first region and a second region, wherein the first region comprises the second electrically conductive material, wherein the second region comprises a dielectric material, and wherein the first region surrounds the second region.