Latest Advances in Optical Computing, Sensing and Networking
A special issue of Photonics (ISSN 2304-6732). This special issue belongs to the section "Optical Communication and Network".
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 November 2026 | Viewed by 52
Special Issue Editor
Interests: optical computing/sensing/networking; optical metasurface/cavity; optical manipulation; optoelectronic integration; intelligent photonics
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
The rapid evolution of optical technologies is fundamentally reshaping modern science and engineering, driving unprecedented progress across computing, sensing, and networking domains. While photonics has long been integral to high-speed data transmission, recent breakthroughs are expanding its role into novel paradigms such as optical computing architectures, quantum-enhanced sensing, and ultra-high-capacity optical networks. These advancements promise transformative solutions to critical challenges in latency reduction, energy efficiency, bandwidth scalability, and precision metrology—areas where conventional electronic systems increasingly face physical limitations.
This Special Issue aims to capture cutting-edge research at the intersection of optical computing, sensing, and networking, fostering cross-disciplinary dialogue between device physics, system design, and network optimization. We seek contributions exploring topics including, but not limited to, the following: neuromorphic photonic processors, integrated silicon photonics for edge computing, LiDAR and quantum sensing innovations, terahertz communication systems, and reconfigurable optical networks leveraging machine learning. By bridging theoretical frameworks, experimental validations, and real-world applications, this collection will highlight how synergistic advancements across these fields are enabling next-generation smart infrastructures, from low-latency 6G backbones to energy-efficient AI accelerators and ultra-sensitive biomedical sensors.
We invite researchers to share original studies that push the boundaries of optical technologies, offering insights into scalable integration, novel materials (e.g., 2D semiconductors), and hybrid optoelectronic systems. This Special Issue serves as a platform to define future roadmaps for sustainable, high-performance photonic ecosystems.
Dr. Chao Wang
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 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
- optical computing
- integrated photonics
- quantum sensing
- optical networks
- neuromorphic photonics
- terahertz communication
- silicon photonics
- machine learning in optics
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