Creation of Highly-Ordered Si Nanocrystal Dots Suspended in SiO2 by Molecular Beam Epitaxy with Low Energy Oxygen Implantation

Abstract
Low energy oxygen implantation during Si molecular beam epitaxy (MBE) allows the formation of highly-oriented Si nanocrystal dots (NCDs) suspended in SiO2. Transmission electron microscopy reveals the unusual facet morphology of NCD while the spontaneous orientation of the crystal axis of NCD toward [100] is clearly observed. Well-developed {100} and {111} facets are characterized by nearly perfect Si/SiO2 interfaces. Compelling evidence is found for the epitaxial origin of NCD inherited from the parental two-dimensional Si slabs.