Optical Networking and Computing

Dear Colleagues,

Optical networks with reconfigurable capabilities are crucial to the future of our information infrastructure. The lines between optical networks and optical/photonic computing are becoming increasingly indistinct, as optical processing gradually replaces electronic systems in areas like data centers, artificial intelligence, and reservoir computing. Consequently, optical networks play a key role in supporting applications that demand high bandwidth and reliable access to computational and storage resources distributed across geographically dispersed locations as well as over ultra-short distances. These networks can support multiple switching modalities (circuit, packet, and burst switching), different spectrum division techniques, and an expanding array of enabling technologies such as multi-core fiber, flexible-grid transmission, and filterless optical networks. This Special Issue will explore various competing architectures and technologies in optical networking and computing, emphasizing spectrum management, performance modeling, and network design. Studies on novel optical/photonic computing and networking architectures are also welcome. Specific topics of interest include the following:

• Optical network design and optimization;
• Spectrum management and control protocols;
• Multi-core fiber, elastic and flexible-grid networks;
• Network science for optical networks;
• Filterless optical networks;
• Data center networks;
• Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) for optical networks;
• Secure and Quantum optical networks;
• Wireless/Optical Network Integration;
• Photonic and reservoir computing;
• Software-defined networks;
• Short-range and short reach optical networks;
• Optical networks for 5G/6G.

The scope of the proposed Special Issue is to explore the latest advancements and emerging trends in optical networking and optical/photonic computing. It aims to examine a broad range of topics, including but not limited to the list given above.

Purpose:

The Special Issue seeks to consolidate recent research and development in these areas, presenting novel architectures, technological innovations, and performance studies. Its goal is to foster a deeper understanding of how optical networks and optical/photonic computing systems can address the growing need for high-performance, distributed computational resources.

Relationship to Other Literature:

This Special Issue builds on existing literature in both optical networking and optical/photonic computing, expanding on key themes such as the following:

Technological convergence: Extending discussions on the merging of optical networks with photonic computing, a theme increasingly prevalent in research focused on AI and data centers.

Enabling technologies: Further investigating the transition from traditional electronic systems to optical solutions, particularly in spectrum management and switching modalities.

Network performance and design: Offering new insights and models for optimizing network architecture, which builds upon earlier work in spectrum efficiency, reliability, and scalability.

By advancing the discussion in these areas, this Special Issue seeks to align with and contribute to ongoing research in the field, pushing forward the boundaries of optical networking and computing.

Prof. Dr. Gokhan Sahin
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. Electronics is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly 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 2400 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.

• reconfigurable optical networks
• optical/photonic computing
• dynamic spectrum management
• flexible optical networks
• elastic optical networks
• multi-core fiber optical networks
• emerging issues in packet-switching
• optical burst-switching
• filterless optical networks
• data center networks
• artificial intelligence in optical networking
• reservoir computing
• high-bandwidth applications
• distributed computing
• optical network design
• probabilistic performance modeling
• wireless/optical network integration
• optical networks for 5G/6G
• software defined networks
• network science for optical networks