Stabilized metal silicides in silicon-germanium regions of transistor elements

Generally, the present disclosure is directed to methods of stabilizing metal silicide contact regions formed in a silicon-germanium active area of a semiconductor device, and devices comprising stabilized metal silicides. One illustrative method disclosed herein includes performing an activation anneal to activate dopants implanted in an active area of a semiconductor device, wherein the active area comprises germanium. Additionally, the method includes, among other things, performing an ion implantation process to implant ions into the active area after performing the activation anneal, forming a metal silicide contact region in the active area, and forming a conductive contact element to the metal silicide contact region.