Allen V. Astin Award

The Allen V. Astin Measurement Science Award, first presented in 1984, is granted for outstanding achievement in the advancement of measurement science or in the delivery of measurement services.

Dr. Erich Grossman is recognized for establishing the world's first traceable source of millimeter-wave and terahertz power, and for advancing the fields of millimeter-wave and terahertz radiometry, imaging, and spectroscopy. Through his development and dissemination of the aqueous blackbody calibration source, he has brought to the terahertz band the same systematic rigor and traceability that is well-developed for the optical and infrared bands. His source and imaging technology is being used by other agencies to develop concealed weapons detection and helicopter obstacle avoidance systems. Terahertz power calibrations are also used for medical imaging systems and the characterization of foams used by the aerospace industry.