Advanced Optical Imaging: Techniques and Applications

Dear Colleagues,

Optical imaging has undergone revolutionary advancements in recent decades, driven by innovations in photonics, nanotechnology, and computational methods. These developments have transcended traditional resolution limits, enhanced imaging speed, and enabled unprecedented functional and molecular insights across biological, medical, and industrial domains. This Special Issue of Photonics aims to consolidate cutting-edge research on next-generation optical imaging technologies and their transformative applications, fostering interdisciplinary dialogue between optics researchers, engineers, and end-users.

We invite original research articles and comprehensive reviews that address, but are not limited to, the following themes:

1. Novel Imaging Techniques
   • Super-resolution microscopy (STED, PALM/STORM, SIM)
   • Adaptive optics for deep-tissue imaging
   • Computational imaging (phase retrieval, compressed sensing, AI-enhanced reconstruction)
   • Hyperspectral and multimodal imaging integration
   • Quantum-inspired imaging and sensing

2. Emerging Materials & Devices
   • Advanced optical probes (nanoparticles, quantum dots, biosensors)
   • Miniaturized endoscopy and wearable imaging systems
   • Meta-optics and computational photonics for imaging

3. Translational Applications
   • In vivo biomedical diagnostics (cancer detection, neuroimaging, intravital microscopy)
   • High-throughput screening in drug discovery
   • Non-destructive industrial inspection (semiconductors, nanomaterials)
   • Environmental monitoring and remote sensing

4. Data Processing & Quantitative Analysis
   • Machine learning for image segmentation and feature extraction
   • Real-time image processing architectures
   • Multi-dimensional data visualization techniques

Dr. Ying Ma
Dr. Jiaji Li
Dr. Taiqiang Dai
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.