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Photonics
Special Issues
Optical Sensing Technologies, Devices and Their Data Applications (2nd Edition)
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Optical Sensing Technologies, Devices and Their Data Applications (2nd Edition)

A special issue of Photonics (ISSN 2304-6732). This special issue belongs to the section "Lasers, Light Sources and Sensors".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 10 October 2026 | Viewed by 1921

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Yufei Chu

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
School of Marine and Atmospheric Sciences, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, USA
Interests: atmospheric detection; boundary layer; lidar; fiber optic detection; non-destructive detection; microfluidics
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Abu Farzan Mitul

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Physical Chemistry and Applied Spectroscopy Group (C-PCS), Chemistry Division, Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL), Los Alamos, NM, USA
Interests: optic
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Prof. Dr. Yuanxian Zhang

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
School of Physics and Astronomy, Yunnan University, Kunming, China
Interests: micro-nano optics; fiber optofluidic laser; optofluidic waveguide; laser biochemical sensing
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Hanqing Guo

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Information and Computer Sciences, University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, Honolulu, HI, USA
Interests: AI application in optical fiber detection
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Optical sensing is a rapidly advancing field that leverages the unique advantages of optical technologies to measure a wide range of physical, chemical, and environmental parameters with exceptional accuracy and sensitivity. This technology has diverse applications, from structural health monitoring to environmental science and biomedical engineering. This Special Issue is dedicated to exploring the latest advancements in optical sensing technologies and devices, as well as the innovative applications of the data they generate, particularly in atmospheric and environmental detection, ultrasonic sensing, and optofluidics.

This Special Issue on “Optical Sensing Technologies, Devices and Their Data Applications (2nd Edition)” invites contributions that highlight cutting-edge developments in the design, deployment, and data utilization of advanced optical sensors. We are particularly interested in research that pushes the boundaries of how these technologies are applied in real-world scenarios. Specific topics of interest include the following:

  1. Development and validation of novel optical sensors and methodologies, especially those incorporating fiber optic sensing, photonic sensing, optical imaging applications, lidar, Doppler lidar, and other optical sensing technologies, offering enhanced capabilities in diverse environments.
  2. Applications of optical sensing in atmospheric and environmental monitoring, including advanced methodologies for environmental surveillance, industrial process control, and public health applications.
  3. Integration of optical sensors with other technologies, such as ultrasonic and nondestructive evaluation, to create multifunctional sensing platforms that deliver comprehensive monitoring solutions.
  4. Advancements in data processing and interpretation, focusing on the application of machine learning, big data analytics, and AI techniques to enhance the accuracy, reliability, and actionable insights derived from optical sensor data.
  5. AI-enhanced optical sensing, including the use of AI models to boost sensing performance, address AI-related security issues in optical sensing, and explore real-world applications that synergize AI with optical sensing technologies.
  6. Exploration of microfluidics, optofluidics, and their industrial applications, focusing on innovations in the chemical, biological, and pharmaceutical industries, and how these technologies can be integrated with optical sensing to drive advancements in industrial processes.
  7. Development and application of frequency comb sensors for environmental, industrial, and medical applications, emphasizing their high precision and versatility in detecting and analyzing a wide range of parameters in complex systems.

This Special Issue aims to gather groundbreaking research and reviews that will shape the future of optical sensing technologies and their applications across various industries.

Dr. Yufei Chu
Dr. Abu Farzan Mitul
Prof. Dr. Yuanxian Zhang
Dr. Hanqing Guo
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-blind 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.

Keywords

  • sensing
  • lidar
  • atmospheric and environmental detection
  • optical sensors
  • AI in optical sensing
  • optofluidics
  • fluorescence
  • non-destructive detection
  • ultrasonic detection
  • optical sensing data and their applications
  • frequency comb sensors

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Published Papers (2 papers)

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Research

15 pages, 3170 KB  
Article
Rapid Measurement of Liquid Diffusion Coefficients of β-Alanine Varying with Concentration at Different Temperatures
by Bolin Geng, Xinfei Cao, Yuan Li, Xiaoyun Pu and Weidong Meng
Photonics 2026, 13(2), 132; https://doi.org/10.3390/photonics13020132 - 30 Jan 2026
Viewed by 555
Abstract
The liquid diffusion coefficient is a critical parameter for studying mass transfer processes, calculating mass transfer rates, and facilitating chemical engineering design and development, with its value strongly influenced by factors such as temperature and concentration. Conventionally, determining the concentration-dependent diffusion coefficient relationship [...] Read more.
The liquid diffusion coefficient is a critical parameter for studying mass transfer processes, calculating mass transfer rates, and facilitating chemical engineering design and development, with its value strongly influenced by factors such as temperature and concentration. Conventionally, determining the concentration-dependent diffusion coefficient relationship D(C) requires multiple measurements across various concentrations followed by fitting, which is time-consuming and prone to cumulative errors, especially under varying thermal conditions encountered in industrial applications. To address this limitation, this study proposes an optimized finite difference numerical method that enables rapid determination of D(C) using only a single diffusion image, significantly enhancing measurement efficiency. This approach was validated by comparison with the shift of equivalent refractive index slice method and ray-tracing simulations. Diffusion coefficients for β-alanine aqueous solutions at different concentrations were measured over the temperature range of 288.15 K to 318.15 K using both techniques. The results from the two methods showed excellent consistency, with diffusion coefficients well described by the Arrhenius equation across temperatures, allowing for the rapid derivation of activation energies. Numerical simulations based on the derived D(C) relationship yielded images that closely matched experimental observations, confirming the accuracy and reliability of the finite difference method. This innovative technique not only offers a streamlined pathway for characterizing concentration-dependent diffusion in amino acid systems like β-alanine—relevant to pharmaceutical and biochemical processes—but also demonstrates broad applicability for obtaining diffusion coefficients and activation energies with minimal experimental effort. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Optical Sensing Technologies, Devices and Their Data Applications (2nd Edition))
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18 pages, 2769 KB  
Article
An Ultra-Sensitive Bimetallic-Coated PCF-Based Surface Plasmon Resonance Sensor for Waterborne Pathogen Detection
by Ariful Hasan, Anik Chowdhury, Abrar Adib, Devjyoti Das, A. H. M. Iftekharul Ferdous, Abu Farzan Mitul, Jobaida Akhtar and Mohammad Istiaque Reja
Photonics 2025, 12(12), 1240; https://doi.org/10.3390/photonics12121240 - 18 Dec 2025
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 933
Abstract
This study presents an ultra-sensitive dual-core photonic crystal fiber-based surface plasmon resonance (PCF-SPR) sensor for the detection of waterborne pathogens through refractive index (RI) variation. The proposed sensor integrates a bimetallic coating of silver and titanium dioxide (Ag–TiO2). Silver ensures sharp [...] Read more.
This study presents an ultra-sensitive dual-core photonic crystal fiber-based surface plasmon resonance (PCF-SPR) sensor for the detection of waterborne pathogens through refractive index (RI) variation. The proposed sensor integrates a bimetallic coating of silver and titanium dioxide (Ag–TiO2). Silver ensures sharp plasmonic resonance, and TiO2 enhances chemical stability and coupling efficiency. This dual-core configuration allows for increased interaction between the core-guided modes and the plasmonic interface. As a result, the sensor’s sensitivity improves significantly. The sensor can accurately detect analytes with an RI value of 1.28 to 1.43. It demonstrates a maximum wavelength sensitivity (WS) of 107,000 nm/RIU, an amplitude sensitivity (AS) of 2209.21 RIU−1, a wavelength resolution of 9.35 × 10−7 RIU, and a figure of merit (FOM) of about 520. These results support the sensor’s ability to identify the presence of different pathogenic contaminants, such as E. coli, Vibrio cholerae, and Bacillus anthracis, based on their unique RI properties. This optimized design, high resolution, and potential for real-time detection enable this sensor to be a promising solution for environmental monitoring applications. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Optical Sensing Technologies, Devices and Their Data Applications (2nd Edition))
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