Professor Calvin Quate ForMemRS

Calvin Quate was an American electrical engineer who was best known for his many contributions to microscopy. Notably, Calvin developed the scanning acoustic microscope, which uses sound waves to reveal the internal structure of objects.

He also helped to develop the atomic force microscope, an instrument that creates a three-dimensional, nanoscale profile of a surface. The microscope works by measuring the forces between a tiny probe and the surface being analysed. Calvin also made valuable contributions in the field of electron beam devices, and in the development of the acoustic wave correlator.

Calvin received many honours in recognition of his work, including the 1988 Medal of Honor of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers and the US National Medal of Science in 1992. He was also elected as a Member of the US National Academy of Engineering in 1970 and the US National Academy of Sciences in 1975.

Professor Calvin Quate ForMemRS
Elected 1995