Next-Generation Optical Fibers: Structural Innovations and Multifaceted Applications in Industry and Healthcare

Dear Colleagues,

Next-generation optical fibers represent a paradigm shift in optical technology, driven by innovative structural designs that transcend the limitations of traditional single-core silica fibers. These advanced fibers, tailored to enhance performance metrics like bandwidth, sensing sensitivity, and environmental robustness, have become pivotal enablers in diverse sectors, particularly industry and healthcare. Their structural diversity—ranging from multi-core fibers, photonic crystal fibers, hollow-core anti-resonant fibers, and meta-surface fibers to biodegradable optical fibers—unlocks unique capabilities, making them indispensable for addressing complex real-world challenges.

Next-generation optical fibers, through the diverse structural innovations, are bridging the gap between theoretical optical performance and real-world utility. In industry, they enable smarter, more efficient sensing and resource exploration; in healthcare, they drive minimally invasive procedures, precise diagnostics, and personalized therapies. As research continues to refine their structure—e.g., reducing cost, enhancing biocompatibility, and expanding wavelength range—these fibers will undoubtedly play a central role in shaping the future of technology-driven industries and patient-centric healthcare.

In this Special Issue, original research articles and reviews are welcome. Research areas may include (but are not limited to) the following:  multi-core fibers; photonic crystal fibers; hollow-core anti-resonant fibers; meta-surface fibers; biodegradable optical fibers; optical fiber sensing; optical fiber communication; optical fiber hydrophone; optical fiber for vibration detection; fiber-optic evanescent wave biosensor; biomedical sensing; environmental monitoring; oil and gas field monitoring; structural health monitoring; power system monitoring.

We look forward to receiving your valuable contributions.

Dr. Guoqing Wang
Dr. Dongrui Xiao
Prof. Dr. Jun Hong
Prof. Dr. Carlos Marques
Guest Editors

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