Abstract: A semiconductor fabrication process for forming a gate electrode for a metal-oxide-semiconductor (MOS) transistor includes forming a gate electrode layer of an electrically conductive ceramic, e.g., titanium nitride, overlying a gate dielectric layer, e.g., a high K dielectric. A gate barrier layer is then formed overlying the gate electrode layer. The gate barrier layer may be a metal or transition metal material including, as an example, titanium. Portions of the gate electrode layer and the gate barrier layer are then etched or otherwise removed to form the gate electrode.