The current status of the research carried out by the RD-48 (ROSE) Collabor
ation is presented. Results of macroscopic and microscopic experimental stu
dies are described as well as the progress in modeling. Detectors with impr
oved radiation hardness were achieved by oxygen enrichment of silicon. The
oxygen concentration required to obtain the improvement is similar to 10(17
) cm(-3). (C) 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.