{"ID":2855427,"CreatedAt":"2026-06-01T04:54:23.091178241Z","UpdatedAt":"2026-06-01T04:54:23.091178241Z","DeletedAt":null,"paper_url":"https://arxiv.org/abs/2510.14120","arxiv_id":"2510.14120","title":"Laser Fault Injection in Memristor-Based Accelerators for AI/ML and Neuromorphic Computing","abstract":"Memristive crossbar arrays (MCA) are emerging as efficient building blocks for in-memory computing and neuromorphic hardware due to their high density and parallel analog matrix-vector multiplication capabilities. However, the physical properties of their nonvolatile memory elements introduce new attack surfaces, particularly under fault injection scenarios. This work explores Laser Fault Injection as a means of inducing analog perturbations in MCA-based architectures. We present a detailed threat model in which adversaries target memristive cells to subtly alter their physical properties or outputs using laser beams. Through HSPICE simulations of a large MCA on 45 nm CMOS tech. node, we show how laser-induced photocurrent manifests in output current distributions, enabling differential fault analysis to infer internal weights with up to 99.7% accuracy, replicate the model, and compromise computational integrity through targeted weight alterations by approximately 143%.","short_abstract":"Memristive crossbar arrays (MCA) are emerging as efficient building blocks for in-memory computing and neuromorphic hardware due to their high density and parallel analog matrix-vector multiplication capabilities. However, the physical properties of their nonvolatile memory elements introduce new attack surfaces, parti...","url_abs":"https://arxiv.org/abs/2510.14120","url_pdf":"https://arxiv.org/pdf/2510.14120v1","authors":"[\"Muhammad Faheemur Rahman\",\"Wayne Burleson\"]","published":"2025-10-15T21:44:03Z","proceeding":"cs.ET","tasks":"[\"cs.ET\",\"cs.NE\",\"eess.SY\"]","methods":"[]","has_code":false}