A method is provided for fabricating a transistor. A silicon layer is provided, and a first layer comprising a high dielectric constant material is formed on the silicon layer. A second layer including a metal or metal alloy is formed on the first layer, and a third layer including silicon or polysilicon is formed on the second layer. The first, second, and third layers are etched so as to form a gate stack, and ions are implanted to form source and drain regions in the silicon layer. Source and drain silicide contact areas are formed in the source and drain regions, and a gate silicide contact area is formed in the third layer. After forming these silicide contact areas, the third layer is etched without etching the first and second layers, so as to substantially reduce the width of the third layer.