A method of fabricating a semiconductor device is provided in which the channel of the device is present in an extremely thin silicon on insulator (ETSOI) layer, i.e., a silicon containing layer having a thickness of less than 10.0 nm. In one embodiment, the method may begin with providing a substrate having at least a first semiconductor layer overlying a dielectric layer, wherein the first semiconductor layer has a thickness of less than 10.0 nm. A gate structure is formed directly on the first semiconductor layer. A in-situ doped semiconductor material is formed on the first semiconductor layer adjacent to the gate structure. The dopant from the in-situ doped semiconductor material is then diffused into the first semiconductor layer to form extension regions. The method is also applicable to finFET structures.