Si was bombarded with size-selected 40 keV Ar cluster ions and positive secondary ions were measured using the time-of-flight technique under high and ultra-high vacuum (HV and UHV respectively) conditions. Si+ ions were main species detected under the incidence of 40 keV Ar cluster ions, and the yields of Si cluster ions such as Si-4(+) were also extremely high under both conditions. On the other hand, oxidized secondary ions such as SiO+ were detected with high intensity only under the HV condition. The yield ratios of oxidized ions decreased in UHV to less than 1% of their values in HV. The effect of residual gas pressure on Si cluster ion yields is relatively low compared to oxidized ions, and the UHV condition is required to obtain accurate secondary ion yields. (c) 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.