Published online by Cambridge University Press: 10 February 2011
Local electronic states at nanometer-thick silicon oxide and nitride films on Si can be studied on an unprecedented scale using low - energy cathodoluminescence spectroscopy to observe optical transitions of defect bonding arrangements at ultrathin film interfaces prepared by low -temperature plasma deposition. Our results illustrate significant differences in the dependence of specific defects at the oxide versus nitride interfaces on thermal annealing and hydrogenation.