(100) and (110) SiSiO₂ interface studies by MeV ion backscattering

Thin oxide layers on (110) and (100) Si have been studied by ion scattering experiments in a channeling grazing exit angle geometry. Oxides are found to be stoichiometric SiO₂ to within 10 Å of the (100) substrate surface, and 7 Å of the (110). The transition interface region between single crystal Si and the SiO₂ layer is abrupt and is characterized by approximately one to two monolayers of Si which is out of registration with the substrate lattice for the (110) case. The possibility of a layer of O-deficient oxide is also explored.