Novel Sensor Technology for Booster Typing

Design, development and testing of a high resolution (1024x1024) four band IRFPA detector.Infrared focal plane array (IRFPA) technology has been identified as a critically important component of ballistic missile defense (BMD) (M.Z. Tidrow, W.R. Dyer ? Infrared sensors for ballistic missile defense ? Infrared Physics & Technology 42 (2001)333-336). Specifically, analysis of the boosters thermal characteristics, discrimination from decoys and debris, and enhanced detection and tracking through booster burnout are some of the significant benefits a high resolution multiband detector canprovide.Quantum well infrared photodetector (QWIP) technology offers a unique combination of characteristics including excellent sensitivity, uniformity, high operability, high uniformity and relative low cost.We propose to construct a four color 1024x1024 QWIP FPA with a pitch of 20um. Four adjacent pixels will each be tuned to a specific midwave or longwave spectral band. This configuration will provide an effective final resolution of 512 x 512 four colorarray.The ultimate goal of this entire project (Phase I, II and III) is to develop an integrated, portable IR camera system which will meet MDA?s mission needs and provide the next generation of commercial infrared medical imaging technology We believe that this detector will provide MDA with unique, reliable, cost effect means of detecting and analyzing ballistic threats. With regard to commercial applications, the applicant company is the leading developer of commercial, IRFPA, medicalimaging applications. We have identified a number of unique characteristics of QWIP IRFPA's that make them uniquely suitable as medical imaging system for the detection and management of cancer and vascular disease. We have published the results of ourclinical IR imaging research and development in leading medical venues and journals and have begun to market our FDA approved device. All of our work to date has been based upon a 256 x 256 single band (8-9um) QWIP FPA. We believe that a higher resolutionmulti-band detector will represent a major stride forward in the capability of our commercial product's capability and will further open a potential medical imaging market valued in excess of $20 billion.