Abstract: A split-polysilicon CMOS DRAM process incorporating self-aligned silicidation of the cell plate, transistor gates and N+ regions with a minimum of additional processing steps. By employing a light oxidation step to protect the P-channel transistor sidewall gates from silicidation during a subsequent processing step, the process avoids the problems that may be created by the double etching of the field oxide and active area regions that has heretofore been required for self-aligned silidation utilizing a split-polysilicon CMOS process. A protective nitride layer is used to prevent oxidation on those regions which are to be silicided. When this improved process is utilized for DRAM fabrication, the protective nitride layer may also be utilized as the cell dielectric.