Next Generation Architecture for Night Vision Imaging

In this effort, the architectures for a solid-state night vision goggle (NVG) will be developed and the key technology features of the head-mounted devices solid-state, imaging device demonstrated. The approach is based on 3-D stacked circuit technology. Leveraging our previous work in this area, we will demonstrate a low light level imaging transceiver that includes a back-thinned, CMOS imager bonded and interconnected to an intermediate processing circuit, and to an OLED; thereby forming a 3-D solid state night vision device. In Phase I, we will investigate and perform a tradeoff of the system technologies. We will then fuse a prototype imaging device to an OLED to form a stacked image transceiver. Although not expected to achieve the NVG-level performance, by combining multiple device layers with a high-density inter-layer interconnect, 3-D integration of the functions of the NVG will be shown to provide benefits, such as image fusion, not available with current tube-based technology. The technology demonstrated in Phase I will provide an excellent foundation for a Phase II program, where improvements to each of the key components will be made, the image processing functional circuits will be developed, and a prototype fabricated and demonstrated.