Analyses of Coating Materials/Deposition Techniques and Device Designs for FIB-Resistant Systems

The Office of the Security of Defense requires the development of novel methods or materials for circuitry or critical systems that are resistant to FIB examination. Application of new materials or device designs that retard the effectiveness of FIB probing must also offer minimal degradation in the normal performance of the devices. Engineered Coatings, Inc. and Analytical Solutions, Inc. propose to conduct a requirements analysis and then analytical studies to trade and rank candidate coating materials and device design modifications that will degrade the performance of FIB operation and/or induce vacuum system contamination. Key properties of candidate coating materials and device designs will be collected with subsequent analysis to trade against the requirements and enable a down-selection to the most promising coating and/or device design. Coating deposition methods, whether global or local, will also be evaluated for compatibility with normal device manufacturing operations. A design document will be developed that includes the requirements analysis, solution down-selection, and preliminary fabrication processing specifications. Plans for Phase II will be developed including fabrication of a brass board prototype article for subsequent FIB examination and demonstration of the effectiveness of the FIB-resistant technology.