Abstract: A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device includes the steps of providing a semiconductor substrate (202), forming a dielectric layer (204) over the semiconductor substrate (202), and etching a trench or a via (206) in the dielectric layer (204) to expose a portion of the surface of the semiconductor substrate (202). The method also includes the step of forming a conductive layer (212, 220) within in the trench or the via (206). The method further includes the steps of polishing a portion of the conductive layer (220) and annealing the conductive layer (212, 220) at a predetermined temperature. Moreover, the conductive layer (212, 220) also includes a dopant, and the dopant diffuses substantially to the surface of the top side of the conductive layer (212, 220) to form a dopant oxide layer (212a, 220a) when the conductive layer (212, 220) is annealed at the predetermined temperature and the dopant is exposed to oxygen.