Published online by Cambridge University Press: 22 February 2011
Defect microstructure and the near-surface strain of high-dose oxygen implanted silicon-on-insulator material (SIMOX) were investigated as a function of dose, implant temperature, and annealing temperature by transmission electron microscopy and high resolution x-ray diffraction. Dislocation half loops (DHLs) begin to form by stress assisted climb at a critical stress level due to implantation-induced damage. DHLs evolve into through-thickness defect (TTD) pairs by expansion during annealing. Both DHL and TTD-pair density increase with higher implant dose and lower implant temperature. Possible methods for defect density reduction are suggested based on the results of this study.