Herwig Kogelnik (born June 2, 1932) is an Austrian-American electrical and optical engineer.

He is best known for his fundamental contributions to the developments in laser technology, optoelectronics, photonics and lightwave communications systems.

[1] Kogelnik was elected a member of the National Academy of Engineering in 1978 for contributions to the understanding of optical propagation modes, thick film holography, and invention of the distributed feedback laser.

In 1960 he received a DPhil from St Peter's College, Oxford University.

[2] An OSA Fellow since 1972, he was elected an Honorary Member of the society in 2005, "For achievements in several areas of optics and photonics, contributions to lightwave communications by directing industrial research and for leadership in the scientific community.