An interconnect structure of a semiconductor device designed for reduced
intralevel and interlevel capacitance, and includes a lower metal layer
and an upper metal layer and an insulating layer interposed between metal
layers. Each of the lower metal layer and upper metal layer include a
plurality of conductive lines spaced apart and extending within a low-k
dielectric material. A plurality of metal-filled vias interconnects the
conductive lines of the lower metal layer to the conductive lines of the
upper metal layer. The insulating layer comprises also comprises a low-k
dielectric material disposed between the adjacent metal-filled vias.
Openings, having been etched in the low-k dielectric material between the
conductive lines of the upper and lower metal layers, and the
metal-filled vias, an ultra-low k material is deposited within the
openings. The integration of the ultra-low k and low-d dielectric
materials reduces the overall capacitance of the structure to enhance
performance.