The Architecture of Specialty Optical Fibers: From Design to Application
A special issue of Photonics (ISSN 2304-6732). This special issue belongs to the section "Optical Communication and Network".
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 20 October 2026 | Viewed by 22
Special Issue Editor
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
Specialty Optical Fibers (SOFs) have emerged as a key frontier in photonics, driving optical waveguide technology far beyond the capabilities of conventional telecommunication fibers. This Special Issue aims to present a comprehensive overview of the global landscape of SOF technologies, covering the full spectrum from fundamental structural principles to engineering breakthroughs. Unlike standard step-index fibers, SOFs leverage complex refractive-index profiles, microstructured geometries, and the integration of functional materials and photonic components to enable unique transmission and interaction properties.
Enabled by continuously advancing design methodologies and fabrication techniques, the field now offers precise control over dispersion, birefringence, nonlinearity, and other critical parameters, resulting in a diverse and highly functional family of SOFs. This Special Issue further examines how these architectural innovations address major application needs worldwide, including high-precision photonic sensing, high-power industrial processing, novel light sources, and next-generation communication systems. By systematically connecting technological pathways with practical use cases, this Special Issue outlines the comprehensive roadmap and strategic directions shaping the future development of specialty optical fibers.
Dr. Zhenggang Lian
Guest Editor
Manuscript Submission Information
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Keywords
- specialty optical fibers (SOFs)
- microstructured optical fibers
- fiber design and modeling
- advanced fiber fabrication
- nonlinear fiber optics
- functional fiber materials
- fiber-integrated photonic devices
- optical sensing and metrology
- high-power fiber technologies
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