Multi-layer Infrared sensor and focal plane array (FPA) protection

Infrared (IR) sensors and focal plane arrays (FPA) play important roles in numerous civilian and defense applications, including night vision, missile defense, target detection, tracking and identification, chemical and biological sensing, environment monitoring, and medical diagnostics. Because of this, IR photodetectors and FPAs are targets of reverse engineering (RE) attacks. However, currently, there is no existing IR FPA protection technique that can effectively protect IR FPAs against reverse engineering in the material and the device levels. This SBIR project aims to develop a new IR sensors and FPA reverse engineering protection technology that can effectively protect IR sensors and FPAs from reverse engineering attacks. In this SBIR phase I research, we have demonstrated the effectiveness of the innovative structures in protecting IR photodetectors and FPA against XTEM, UV, and SIMS material analysis based reverse engineering. We also show that added structures can also improve the performance of the IR photodetectors. In Phase II, we will optimize the reverse engineering protection technology for IR FPAs. A prototype of reverse engineering protected IR FPAs will be developed and delivered to the Army Research Lab for on-site testing and evaluation.