From micromasers to atom optics and back

During his long and remarkable career, Herbert Walther has made a number of trailblazing contributions to atomic, molecular, and optical physics, and has played a central role in defining this field, mentoring dozens of students and postdocs, and building a world-class research institute. Using the micromaser and matter-wave optics as an example, we show how his research continues to have a major impact on the frontiers of AMO science, and will likely do so for the foreseeable future. Copyright © 2005 by MAIK Nauka/ Interperiodica (Russia).