Modulation device for laser radiation, having at least one modulation means which can change at least in part the laser radiation which passes through the modulation device, the modulation device having splitter means which can split the laser radiation into at least two component beams of radiation, the device furthermore in the direction of beam propagation downstream of the beam splitter means having beam combining means which can recombine at least two of the component beams of radiation, and at least one modulation means being located between the beam splitter means and beam combining means such that at least one of the component beams can be changed by at least one modulation means such that the laser radiation which has been combined by the beam combining means or in the area of the beam combining means at least in a given area of space has the desired modulation as a result of the interference of at least two component beams.