Published online by Cambridge University Press: 03 September 2012
We propose a novel technique based on preferential oxidation of Si in the Si/Ge system. Oxygen ions were implanted at 30 keV into Si/Ge multilayers while the substrate temperature was kept below 100°C. Significant oxygen concentration was then observed at the Si/Ge interfaces and at a thin Si layer embedded into the Ge layer. When the samples were then annealed above 400°c, the bonding state of the Si oxide approached that of SiO2. During this process, Ge atoms were expelled from the oxide layers. Transmission electron microscopy confirmed that silicon dioxide layers were formed. This new technique can be used to form semiconductor/insulator multilayered structures from Si/Ge multilayers.