Abstract: A process for forming metal salicide layers on an MOS transistor structure that reduces the risk of forming metal silicide bridges between source/drain regions and a polysilicon gate. The process includes the use of a uni-directional ion metal plasma deposition step to deposit a metal layer on the surface of a MOS transistor structure such that the ratio of the metal layer thickness on the surface of a gate sidewall spacers to the metal layer thickness on the surface of a polysilicon gate is no greater than 0.2. The relatively thin metal layer on the surface of the gate sidewall spacer reduces the possibility of forming metal silicide defects.