Holographic interferometry of surface deformations of transparent fluids

Holographic interferometry is employed to study deformations of a water surface by various disturbances. By using nondiffuse illumination and observing fringe patterns in the holographically reconstructed real image, high resolution even in the presence of large gradients in the surface deformation is achieved. Mathematical procedures for evaluating the fringe patterns are outlined. Several interesting applications (determination of surface tension, surface deformation by floating bodies) demonstrate the accuracy and versatility of the method.