Advances in Nonlinear Optical Imaging

Dear Colleagues,

Nonlinear optical imaging has emerged as a powerful and versatile tool for probing biological tissues, materials, and complex media with high resolution, specificity, and penetration depth. By exploiting nonlinear light–matter interactions such as multiphoton excitation, harmonic generation, and coherent Raman scattering, these techniques enable label-free, non-invasive visualization of structural and functional properties beyond the capabilities of conventional linear microscopy. Recent advances in laser sources, detector technology, and computational methods have further expanded the potential of nonlinear imaging, driving innovations in biomedicine, materials science, and optical engineering.

As the field progresses, key challenges remain in improving imaging speed, resolution, penetration depth, and accessibility. There is also a growing emphasis on integrating nonlinear imaging with computational imaging approaches—such as adaptive optics, deep learning-based reconstruction, and compressed sensing—to extract more information from fewer photons and achieve real-time, high-content imaging. Additionally, the development of compact, cost-effective, and user-friendly nonlinear imaging systems continues to be an important direction for translational applications.

This Special Issue, entitled “Advances in Nonlinear Optical Imaging,” aims to gather original research and review articles that highlight recent progress, novel methodologies, and emerging applications in this dynamic field. We welcome contributions that explore new imaging mechanisms, system design, signal processing, and interdisciplinary applications. Topics of interest include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Multiphoton microscopy;
• Coherent Raman imaging;
• Super-resolution nonlinear imaging;
• Computational and adaptive nonlinear optics;
• Novel laser sources and detector technology;
• Image reconstruction and intelligent processing;
• Biomedical and clinical applications;
• Nonlinear imaging in materials and nanostructures;
• Miniaturized and portable nonlinear systems;
• Multimodal nonlinear optical imaging.

We invite researchers and engineers to submit their innovative work to this Special Issue, to foster discussion and collaboration toward the next generation of nonlinear optical imaging technologies.

Dr. Zhiqiang Yan
Prof. Dr. Hongyuan Wang
Dr. Qianhao Ning
Guest Editors

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 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

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-anonymized peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Photonics 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 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.

• multiphoton microscopy
• coherent raman imaging
• super-resolution nonlinear imaging
• computational and adaptive nonlinear optics
• novel laser sources and detector technology
• image reconstruction and intelligent processing
• biomedical and clinical applications
• nonlinear imaging in materials and nanostructures
• miniaturized and portable nonlinear systems
• multimodal nonlinear optical imaging