40 keV He+ ions were implanted into (1 0 0) oriented Si single crystals to
a fluence of 9 x 10(15) cm(-2) at room-temperature or 350 degrees C. The im
plantations were performed at both. random or (0 0 1) Si channel directions
. The implantation damage and the in situ annealing effects during the He i
mplantations were investigated by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), R
utherford backscattering/channeling spectrometry (RBS/C) and elastic recoil
detection analysis (ERDA). Significant differences in the microstructure e
volution between the 350 degrees C and the room-temperature implanted and s
ubsequently annealed at 350 degrees C samples were observed. The results ar
e discussed in terms of a distinct Me bubble nucleation process. (C) 2000 E
lsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.