The composition of ultrathin oxides grown on both [100] and [111]Si substrates in pure N2O in a conventional furnace has been studied using Auger electron spectroscopy (AES) analysis, chemical etching, and electrical measurements. Results show a peak nitrogen concentration at the Si-SiO2 interface which decreases from the Si-SiO2 interface to the oxide surface. This nitrogen distribution is responsible for superior electrical properties of metal-oxide-semiconductor (MOS) devices with these films as gate dielectrics.