Low resistivity metal silicide layers are formed on a gate electrode and source/drain regions at an optimum thickness for reducing parasitic series resistances with an attendant consumption of silicon from the gate electrode and source/drain regions. Consumed silicon from the gate electrode and source/drain regions is then replaced employing metal induced crystallization, thereby avoiding a high leakage current. Embodiments include depositing a layer of amorphous silicon on the metal silicide layers and heating at a temperature of about 400° C. to about 600° C. initiating metal induced crystallization, thereby causing the metal silicide layers grow upwardly as silicon in the underlying gate electrode and source/drain regions is replaced.
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