Atomic, Molecular, and Optical (AMO) physics is a central pillar of modern physics, devoted to understanding the structure, dynamics, and interactions of matter and light at the most fundamental and controllable scales. This broad and interconnected field explores the behavior of atoms, molecules, ions, photons, and their collective states, as well as the quantum principles governing their interactions. Research in AMO physics spans a wide range of topics, including atomic and molecular structure, spectroscopy and precision measurements, quantum optics, ultracold matter, light–matter interaction, coherent control, and photonic technologies. As an inherently interdisciplinary landscape, AMO physics bridges quantum mechanics, electromagnetism, chemical physics, and materials science, while providing essential foundations and enabling technologies for quantum information science, metrology, sensing, and emerging applications across science and engineering.

MDPI’s cluster of journals in atomic, molecular, and optical (AMO) physics is dedicated to advancing research in these dynamic and rapidly evolving areas. Each journal in the cluster provides a peer-reviewed platform for original research, theoretical advances, precision measurements, and innovative experimental and conceptual approaches within atomic, molecular, and optical physics. Emphasis is placed on advanced computational and theoretical methods, state-of-the-art experimental techniques, high-precision instrumentation, and interdisciplinary research spanning quantum science, photonics, chemical physics, and materials science. By promoting open access and fostering collaboration across diverse scientific communities, the cluster supports the rapid dissemination of cutting-edge research and aims to accelerate progress in understanding and controlling matter–light interactions from fundamental physics to practical applications.

The eight participating journals are as follows:

• Entropy (ISSN: 1099-4300) focuses on entropy and information studies. Entropy is led by Editor-in-Chief Prof. Dr. Kevin H. Knuth (Department of Physics, University at Albany, 1400 Washington Avenue, Albany, NY 12222, USA);
• Photonics (ISSN: 2304-6732) focuses on the science and technology of optics and photonics. Photonics is led by Editor-in-Chief Prof. Dr. Nelson Tansu (School of Electrical and Electronic Engineering (EEE), The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA 5005, Australia);
• Atoms (ISSN: 2218-2004) focuses on all aspects of the atom. Atoms is led by Editor-in-Chief Prof. Dr. Pascal Quinet (1. Physique Atomique et Astrophysique, Université de Mons, B-7000 Mons, Belgium; 2. IPNAS, Université de Liège, B-4000 Liège, Belgium);
• Lights (ISSN: 3042-7886) focuses on optics, light, and luminescent sciences and technology. Lights is led by Editor-in-Chief Prof. Dr. Roberto Morandotti (Institut National de la Recherche Scientifique—Énergie, Matériaux et Télécommunications (INRS), Varennes, QC J3X 1S2, Canada);
• Optics (ISSN: 2673-3269) focuses on high-impact fundamental research and applications in optics and photonics. Optics is led by Editors-in-Chief Prof. Dr. Costantino De Angelis (Department of Information Engineering, University of Brescia, 25123 Brescia, Italy) and Prof. Dr. Thomas Seeger (Institut Fluid- und Thermodynamik, Lehrstuhl für Technische Thermodynamik, Universität Siegen, Paul-Bonatz-Straße 9-11, 57076 Siegen, Germany);
• Plasma (ISSN: 2571-6182) focuses on all aspects of plasma science, such as plasma physics, plasma chemistry and space plasma. Plasma is led by Editor-in-Chief Prof. Dr. Andrey Starikovskiy (NEQLab, Lewes, DE 19958, USA);
• Physics (ISSN: 2624-8174) focuses on all aspects of physics ranging from fundamental studies to emerging technologies. Physics is led by Editor-in-Chief Prof. Dr. Edward Sarkisyan-Grinbaum (¹ Experimental Physics Department, CERN, 1211 Geneva 23, Switzerland; ² Department of Physics, The University of Texas at Arlington, Arlington, TX 76019, USA);
• Quantum Beam Science (ISSN: 2412-382X) focuses on the application of quantum beams for the study and characterization of materials in their widest sense, as well as developments of quantum beam sources, instrumentation, and facilities. Quantum Beam Science is led by Editor-in-Chief Prof. Dr. Klaus-Dieter Liss (School of Mechanical, Materials, Mechatronic and Biomedical Engineering, University of Wollongong, Wollongong 2522, Australia).

Selected Special Issues:

“Quantum Dynamics in Hybrid Systems”
Guest Editors: Prof. Haobin Wang and Prof. Ofir E. Alon
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 June 2026

“Photonic Integrated Circuits for Information, Computing and Sensing”
Guest Editors: Dr. Andrea Salamon, Dr. Liam O’Faolain and Dr. Simone Iadanza
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 December 2026

“Current Studies and Applications of Radiative and Collisional Processes in Atoms”
Guest Editor: Prof. Dr. Pascal Quinet
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 June 2026

“Optical Sensing and Optical Communication: Technologies, Systems, and Applications”
Guest Editors: Prof. Dr. Xizheng Ke and Dr. Feng Peng
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 June 2026

“New Insights into Plasma Theory, Modeling and Predictive Simulations”
Guest Editor: Dr. Tariq Rafiq
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 June 2026

“Nonlinear Waves and Patterns in Optics, Quantum Matter, and Elsewhere-Devoted to Prof. Boris Malomed’s 70th Birthday and Prof. Alexander Nepomnyashchy’s 75th Birthday”
Guest Editors: Prof. Dr. Dimitrios J. Frantzeskakis, Prof. Dr. Michael Tribelsky, Prof. Dr. Yudong Cui and Prof. Dr. Qin Zhou
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 December 2026

“Advances in Quantum Beams, Photonic Sources and Laser-Driven Systems”
Guest Editor: Prof. Dr. Sergey Y. Yurish
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 December 2026

Selected articles:

“Monte Carlo Based Techniques for Quantum Magnets with Long-Range Interactions”
by Patrick Adelhardt, Jan A. Koziol, Anja Langheld and Kai P. Schmidt
Entropy 2024, 26(5), 401; https://doi.org/10.3390/e26050401

“A Review of Light-Emitting Diodes and Ultraviolet Light-Emitting Diodes and Their Applications”
by Trailokya Bhattarai, Abasifreke Ebong and Mohammad Yasin Akhtar Raja
Photonics 2024, 11(6), 491; https://doi.org/10.3390/photonics11060491

“Enhancement of the NORAD-Atomic-Data Database in Plasma”
by Sultana N. Nahar and Guillermo Hinojosa-Aguirre
Atoms 2024, 12(4), 22; https://doi.org/10.3390/atoms12040022

“Three-Dimensional Reconstruction Techniques and the Impact of Lighting Conditions on Reconstruction Quality: A Comprehensive Review”
by Dimitar Rangelov, Sierd Waanders, Kars Waanders, Maurice van Keulen and Radoslav Miltchev
Lights 2025, 1(1), 1; https://doi.org/10.3390/lights1010001

“Introducing Optical Nonlinearity in PDMS Using Organic Solvent Swelling”
by Sudhakara Reddy Bongu, Maximilian Buchmüller, Daniel Neumaier and Patrick Görrn
Optics 2024, 5(1), 66–75; https://doi.org/10.3390/opt5010005

“Strong, Weak and Merging Lines in Atomic Spectra”
by Jean-Christophe Pain
Plasma 2025, 8(2), 17; https://doi.org/10.3390/plasma8020017

“Towards Precision Muonic X-ray Measurements of Charge Radii of Light Nuclei”
by Ben Ohayon, Andreas Abeln, Silvia Bara, Thomas Elias Cocolios, Ofir Eizenberg, Andreas Fleischmann, Loredana Gastaldo, César Godinho, Michael Heines, Daniel Hengstler et al.
Physics 2024, 6(1), 206–215; https://doi.org/10.3390/physics6010015

“Quantum Correlation Enhanced Optical Imaging”
by Siddhant Vernekar and Jolly Xavier
Quantum Beam Sci. 2024, 8(3), 19; https://doi.org/10.3390/qubs8030019