1. A method of forming a metal cap over a conductive interconnect in a chalcogenide-based memory device comprising, forming a layer of a first conductive material over a substrate, depositing an insulating layer over said first conductive material and said substrate, forming an opening in said insulating layer to expose at least a portion of said first conductive material, depositing a second conductive material over said insulating layer and within said opening, removing portions of said second conductive material to form a conductive area within said opening, recessing said conductive area within said opening to a level below an upper surface of said insulating layer, forming a cap of a third conductive material over the recessed conductive area within said opening, depositing a stack of a chalcogenide based memory cell material over said cap, and depositing a conductive material over said chalcogenide stack.