A damascene structure is provided comprising a substrate, a lower
intermetal dielectric layer over the substrate, an exposed conductive
structure within the lower intermetal dielectric layer, a composite etch
stop layer over the lower intermetal dielectric layer and the exposed
conductive structure; the composite etch stop layer comprising a first
lower sub-layer and a second upper sub-layer, an upper intermetal
dielectric layer over the composite etch stop layer, a trench
interconnection opening forming within the upper intermetal dielectric
layer and the composite etch stop layer, the trench interconnection
opening exposing the conductive structure, a barrier metal layer at least
lining the trench interconnection opening. and a conductor plug within
the trench interconnection opening, contacting the conductive structure.
The upper surface of the barrier metal layer is coplanar with the upper
surface of the conductor plug.