A top metal gate carbon nanotube transistor may be provided which has acceptable electrical characteristics. The transistor may be formed over a structure including a semiconductor substrate made of an epitaxial layer and covered with an insulating layer. The carbon nanotubes may be deposited thereover, source and drains defined, and a metal gate electrode applied over a high dielectric constant gate dielectric. The processing may be such that the carbon nanotubes are protected from high temperature processing and excessively oxidizing atmospheres.