Dual-Mode Imager for Positive Identification of Friendly Vehicles in Combat

We propose to develop a dual-mode sensor for positive all-weather identification of friendly vehicles in combat using 2-dimensional arrays of All-xGaxAs multiple quantum wells (MQWs) for detection long-wavelength infrared (LWIR) radiation and 2-dimensional arrays of 94-GHz millimeter wave (MMW) transceivers. The former will be fabricated by plasma-assisted metalorganic molecular beam epitaxy (PAMOMBE) and the latter by plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD). In Phase I, we will first develop electron-cyclotron-resonance (ECR) sources for reactive epitaxy on insulating GaAs substrates, followed by the development of MQW IR detectors. We will design the sources and ultra-high-vacuum fixtures for epitaxy and delineate the PAMOMBE processes to grow MQW devices at a high growth rate and with high-quality epitaxy, and thus cost effectively. 94-GHz MMW integrated circuits will be designed and simulated. In Phase II we will fabricate several MQWs one on top of another forming a vertical stack of IR detectors, each responding to a different spectral band. We will then fabricate a prototype 2-dimensional array of these stacks for multispectral IR imaging and integrate it with a two-dimensional 94-GHz MMW array into a high-performance dual-mode sensor providing real-time and positive non-cooperative identification of friendly forces in combat in all weather conditions.