The origin of optical methods for fluid flow investigations appears to be nontraceable. This is no matter for surprise. After all seeing provides the most direct and common way for humans to learn about their environment. But at the same time some of the most sophisticated methods for doing measurements in fluids are also based on light and often laser light. A very large amount of material has been published in this area over the last two decades. Why then another publication? Well, the field is still in a state of rapid development. It is characterised by the use of results and methods...

The origin of optical methods for fluid flow investigations appears to be nontraceable. This is no matter for surprise. After all seeing provides the most direct and common way for humans to learn about their environment. But at the same time some of the most sophisticated methods for doing measurements in fluids are also based on light and often laser light. A very large amount of material has been published in this area over the last two decades. Why then another publication? Well, the field is still in a state of rapid development. It is characterised by the use of results and methods...