US Patent 11955380 Conductive element for semiconductor devices

In one example, a semiconductor device includes a first conductive feature embedded in a first dielectric layer such that a top surface of the first dielectric layer is higher than a top surface of first conductive feature, a contact etch stop layer (CESL) disposed on the first dielectric layer, and a second conductive feature embedded in a second dielectric layer. The second dielectric layer is disposed on the CESL and the second conductive feature extends through the CESL and is in direct contact with the first conductive feature.