From fundamentals to advanced experiments and applications, this book explains how holography works. It guides students from simple optics to advanced topics in holography, following a practical approach using real-world materials. This proven university textbook contains exercises plus solutions as well as instructions for more than 20 experiments.

Gerhard K. Ackermann received his Ph.D. degree in astronomy from the University of Heidelberg, Germany. He then accepted a post with IBM in Germany and the United States, working in research and development. Here, he discovered the 'Narrow Channel Effect' within MOS-FET. In 1976, he accepted a professorship for physics at the University of Applied Sciences in Berlin, where he later became Dean of the faculty of mathematics and physics and finally president of the University, which he remained until his retirement in 2002. Professor Ackermann taught and researched at laboratories and universities in Rio de Janeiro, Montevideo, and New York, and is still active working in holography. He is member of various societies, amongst others of the Russian Academy of Sciences.


Jurgen Eichler studied physics at the Universities of Berlin and Freiburg and received his Ph.D. degree in nuclear physics from the University of Karlsruhe, Germany. He then accepted a post with Bosch working on lasers and, at the same time, became a lecturer at the Technical University of Berlin. In 1973, he accepted a professorship for physics at the University of Applied Sciences in Berlin, where he later became head of the Laboratory for Laser Applications. For many years he has been doing research on topics of holography with Professor Ackermann. Professor Eichler was visiting professor at the University of Rio de Janeiro and at the University of California. He has published several books on holography, laser technology and medical engineering.