Novel semiconductor structures and methods are disclosed for forming a buried recombination layer underneath the bulk portion of a hybrid orientation technology by implanting at least one recombination center generating element to reduce single event upset rates in CMOS devices thereabove. The crystalline defects in the buried recombination layer caused by the recombination center generating elements are not healed even after a high temperature anneal and serve as recombination centers where holes and electrons generated by ionizing radiation are collected by. Multiple buried recombination layers may be formed. Optionally, one such layer may be biased with a positive voltage to prevent latchup by collecting electrons.