Disclosed is a self-aligned process for providing an improved bipolar transistor structure.The process includes the chemically etching of an intermediate insulating layer to undercut another top layer of a different insulating material in a self-aligned emitter process wherein the spacing of the emitter contact to the polysilicon base contact is reduced to a magnitude of approximately 0.2 to 0.3 micrometers. In addition, in the process an emitter plug is formed to block the emitter region from the heavy P+ ion dose implant of the extrinsic base.