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This is the 28th volume of Memorial Tributes compiled by the National Academy of Engineering as a personal remembrance of the lives and outstanding achievements of its members and international members. These volumes are intended to stand as an enduring record of the many contributions of engineers and engineering to the benefit of humankind. In most cases, the authors of the tributes are contemporaries or colleagues who had personal knowledge of the interests and the engineering accomplishments of the deceased. Through its members and international members, the Academy...
This is the 28th volume of Memorial Tributes compiled by the National Academy of Engineering as a personal remembrance of the lives and outstanding achievements of its members and international members. These volumes are intended to stand as an enduring record of the many contributions of engineers and engineering to the benefit of humankind. In most cases, the authors of the tributes are contemporaries or colleagues who had personal knowledge of the interests and the engineering accomplishments of the deceased. Through its members and international members, the Academy carries out the responsibilities for which it was established in 1964.
Under the charter of the National Academy of Sciences, the National Academy of Engineering was formed as a parallel organization of outstanding engineers. Members are elected on the basis of significant contributions to engineering theory and practice and to the literature of engineering or on the basis of demonstrated unusual accomplishments in the pioneering of new and developing fields of technology. The National Academies share a responsibility to advise the federal government on matters of science and technology. The expertise and credibility that the National Academy of Engineering brings to that task stem directly from the abilities, interests, and achievements of our members and international members, our colleagues and friends, whose special gifts we remember in this book.
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BY STEVEN DENBAARS, JOHN BOWERS, AND UMESH MISHRA
ARTHUR CHARLES GOSSARD was a visionary scientist, inspiring mentor, and pioneering leader in molecular beam epitaxy (MBE) and semiconductor physics. His groundbreaking contributions profoundly shaped modern semiconductor technology, influencing fields from high-speed electronics to quantum devices. His legacy is one of scientific brilliance, unwavering dedication to education, and a lasting impact on the engineering and physics communities.
Born on June 18, 1935, Arthur pursued an extraordinary career that spanned more than five decades. He earned a doctorate in physics from the University of California, Berkeley, in 1960 and then joined Bell Laboratories, where he contributed to early research on quantum effects in semiconductors. He became a distinguished member of the technical staff at AT&T Bell Laboratories and continued his transformative work after moving to the University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB), where he would become a towering figure in materials science and solid-state physics. At UCSB, he served as a distinguished professor of materials as well as electrical and computer engineering, making lasting contributions to both disciplines.
Arthur was one of the early pioneers of molecular beam epitaxy, a precision growth technique that revolutionized semiconductor device engineering. Through his mastery of this method, he enabled the fabrication of high-quality semiconductor heterostructures — structures that became foundational to modern electronic and optoelectronic devices. He grew the first alternate monolayer artificial superlattices and the first modulation-doped quantum wells, key advancements that paved the way for numerous breakthroughs in solid-state physics. His seminal work on modulation doping, developed in collaboration with colleagues at Bell Labs and UCSB, led to the creation of two-dimensional electron gas systems. These systems played a crucial role in both the discovery of the quantum Hall effect and the high electron mobility transistor (HEMT) technology. Additionally, he was co-discoverer of the quantum confined Stark effect and the fractional quantization of the Hall effect, two groundbreaking phenomena that deepened understanding of quantum mechanics in semiconductor systems. These innovations have had far-reaching applications in transistors, lasers, and quantum computing.
Beyond his technical achievements, Arthur was a dedicated mentor and educator. His commitment to nurturing young scientists and engineers was evident in the many graduate students and postdoctoral researchers he guided throughout his career. Many of his mentees went on to become leaders in academia and industry, a testament to his ability to inspire and cultivate excellence in others.
His passion for sharing knowledge extended beyond the lab, and he developed curricula that integrated cutting-edge research with fundamental principles. He was widely regarded as one of the most beloved professors at UCSB. His engaging teaching style, depth of knowledge, and genuine care for his students made his classes both rigorous, inspiring, and highly regarded. He had an extraordinary ability to make complex topics accessible, creating a learning environment that encouraged curiosity, innovation, and confidence.
Arthur’s contributions were recognized with numerous prestigious honors throughout his career. He was awarded the National Medal of Technology and Innovation in 2014, one of the highest honors bestowed by the U.S. government for technological achievement. He received the American Association for the Advancement of Science Newcomb Cleveland Prize in both 2005 and 2006 for outstanding scientific publications. In 2001, he was honored with the James C. McGroddy Prize for New Materials by the American Physical Society and was elected to the National Academy of Sciences. He became a member of the National Academy of Engineering in 1987. He was also named a fellow of the IEEE Electron Device Society, reflecting his leadership and pioneering research in semiconductor device technology. His legacy in semiconductor research remains a cornerstone of modern electronics, with his innovations continuing to enable advancements in computing, communication, and quantum information technologies.
Despite his remarkable scientific impact, he was known for his humility, generosity, and deep curiosity. He fostered an environment of collaboration and creativity, always eager to discuss new ideas and explore uncharted scientific territory. His influence extended well beyond the laboratory, shaping the future of semiconductor research and inspiring generations of engineers and physicists.
As we reflect on Arthur’s extraordinary life and contributions, we celebrate not only his scientific achievements, but also his enduring impact on the people and institutions he touched. His work will continue to guide and inspire future generations, ensuring that his legacy remains an integral part of the fabric of scientific and engineering progress.
He is survived by his wife, Marsha; his daughter, Sue; his son, Christopher; and several grandchildren.