Optical Crystals: Preparation, Properties and Applications

Dear Colleagues,

Optical crystals, which encompass a wide range of crystals such as laser crystals, nonlinear optical crystals, scintillation crystals, acousto-optic/electro-optic/magneto-optic crystals, and other novel crystals, have garnered significant attention due to their impressive properties and diverse applications. Over the years, extensive research and utilization of these crystals have led to noteworthy advancements in multiple fields. A number of new optical crystals with superior properties and performance have been successfully synthesized, and in-depth investigations into their atomic and electronic structures have provided valuable insights, facilitating the tailoring of optical properties for specific applications. The integration of simulation strategies, such as first-principle theory and machine learning, has further accelerated the rational design and selection of novel crystalline materials with enhanced properties. Despite the abundance of conferences on crystalline materials, few have specifically addressed the topic of optical crystals.

This Special Issue, entitled “Optical Crystals: Preparation, Properties and Applications,” aims to fill this gap by summarizing recent progress and highlighting future prospects. It will encompass a wide range of topics, including the latest discoveries and advancements in laser crystals, which are essential for developing high-performance lasers. Additionally, this Special Issue will explore the progress in nonlinear optical crystals, which enable efficient frequency conversion and optical modulation. Moreover, it will delve into scintillation crystals, which are instrumental in radiation detection and medical imaging applications, as well as into the recent developments in acousto-optic/electro-optic/magneto-optic crystals, which possess unique properties for light modulation and information processing. The collection of articles for this Special Issue will not only illuminate the current state of the art but also provide a roadmap for future developments and research directions.

Dr. Zhen Zhang
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Crystals is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

• new technologies in crystal growth
• laser crystals
• nonlinear optical crystals
• scintillation crystals
• acousto-optic/electro-optic/magneto-optic crystals
• single crystal fibers