The diffusion barrier structure 132 comprises alternating layers of Si 134 and oxygen-doped Si 136. The alternating layers of Si 134 and oxygen-doped Si 136 form an oxygen-doped silicon region grown by epitaxy. In an embodiment, the oxygen concentration for each oxygen-doped Si layer 136 is below 5e14 cm-3. Each oxygen-doped Si layer 136 may have a thickness in the atomic range (e.g. one or several atoms thick) or in the nanometer range to ensure sufficient crystal information for growing Si on the oxygen-doped Si layers 136. The alternating layers of Si 134 and oxygen-doped Si 136 may be realized by epitaxially growing Si layers alternating with oxygen layers respectively adsorbed on surfaces of the Si layers, e.g., with a particular limited thickness for the oxygen-doped Si layers 136 to ensure adequate Si growth.