The present invention is a novel method whereby voids or solid opens at
the bottom of via can be avoided without drastically altering the
resistivity or parasitic capacitances of the whole metal interconnect
system. The invention includes in one embodiment a process of forming
interconnects and vias in a microelectronic circuit structure. This
process includes implanting and/or alloying an impurity element in the
local area of the top surface of a metal interconnect at the bottom of a
via. Doping may be done before or after formation of the via. After the
via is formed, it is filled with a metal such as copper. Another
embodiment of the invention is a microelectronic circuit structure
manufactured by the aforementioned method.