Patent ID: 8564132

Claim:
A local interconnect structure comprising: a middle-of-the line (MOL) dielectric material having a tungsten region located therein, wherein a topmost surface and upper sidewall portions of the tungsten region have a self-aligned tungsten nitride passivation layer located therein; another dielectric material located atop the MOL dielectric material; a first interconnect pattern located within a portion of the another dielectric material and the MOL dielectric material, wherein said first interconnect pattern exposes the self-aligned tungsten nitride passivation layer located within the topmost surface and upper sidewall portions of the tungsten region, and wherein a nitrogen enriched dielectric surface layer is located within exposed surfaces of the another dielectric material and the MOL dielectric material that are located in the first interconnect pattern; a second interconnect pattern located within another portion of the another dielectric material and the MOL dielectric material; and at least a conductive material located within both the first and second interconnect patterns.