Patent ID: 7807563

Claim:
A method for manufacturing a layer arrangement, the method comprising: forming electrically conductive structures embedded in a substrate; forming a trench by removing material of the substrate at least between adjacent electrically conductive structures; forming an interlayer having a convex surface on the electrically conductive structures, the interlayer being formed on top surfaces and sidewalls of the electrically conductive structures; forming a first layer comprising nitrogen on the interlayer, wherein the first layer is conformally formed on the interlayer; filling the trench with a photo resist material, the photo resist material covering portions of the first layer on the sidewalls of the electrically conductive structures; etching the exposed portions of the first layer to expose the interlayer; removing the photo resist material from the trench exposing the first layer on the sidewalls of the electrically conductive structures; forming a second layer comprising an insulating material on the interlayer without forming the insulating material on the exposed first layer, wherein the second layer bridges adjacent electrically conductive structures such that air gaps are formed between adjacent electrically conductive structures.