Special Issues

Photonics publishes Special Issues to create collections of papers on specific topics, with the aim of building a community of authors and readers to discuss the latest research and develop new ideas and research directions. Special Issues are led by Guest Editors, who are experts on the topic and all Special Issue submissions follow MDPI's standard editorial process. The journal’s Editor-in-Chief and/or designated Editorial Board Member will oversee Guest Editor appointments and Special Issue proposals, checking their content for relevance and ensuring the suitability of the material for the journal. The papers published in a Special Issue will be collected and displayed on a dedicated page of the journal’s website. Further information on MDPI's Special Issue policies and Guest Editor responsibilities can be found here. For any inquiries related to a Special Issue, please contact the Editorial Office.

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Advanced Spectral Technology and Imaging
edited by and Huaidong Yang
submission deadline 28 Feb 2026 | Viewed by 130 | Submission Open
Keywords: spectrometer; hyperspectral imaging; spectroscopic imaging; deep learning; Raman spectroscopy
Emerging Trends in Diffractive Optics and Metasurfaces
edited by Weiwei Liu
submission deadline 28 Feb 2026 | Viewed by 116 | Submission Open
Keywords: metasurface inverse design; broadband meta achromat; active/reconfigurable diffractive optics; nonlinear and quantum metadevices; wafer scale nano imprint lithography; machine learning topology optimization; lab on chip biosensing metasurface; beam steering and LiDAR; augmented/virtual reality optics
(This special issue belongs to the Section Optoelectronics and Optical Materials)
Photonic Integrated Circuit
edited by
submission deadline 28 Feb 2026 | Viewed by 92 | Submission Open
Keywords: photonic integrated circuit; electro optic devices; optical communications; integrated devices; frequency combs; nonlinear optics; photonic sensing
(This special issue belongs to the Section Optical Interaction Science)
Signal Processing and System Integration for Next-Generation Optical Communication
edited by Jingchi Li, Yixiao Zhu and
submission deadline 28 Feb 2026 | Viewed by 88 | Submission Open
Keywords: optical communication; optical signal processing; photonic integration; optical interconnects; machine learning for optical systems; system-level design and optimization
(This special issue belongs to the Section Optical Communication and Network)
Optical Wireless Communication in 5G and Beyond submission deadline 1 Mar 2026 | 4 articles | Viewed by 6320 | Submission Open
Keywords: 5G and beyond networks; diverse approaches; system models; visible-light communications; channel characterization; millimeter-wave and terahertz devices; metamaterials and metasurfaces; waveguides and transmission lines; wave propagations and beamforming; wireless communications; space and satellite applications; high-frequency circuits; optimization methods; optical networks; reconfigurable intelligent surface (RIS); internet of things (IoT) networks; 6G communications
(This special issue belongs to the Section Optical Communication and Network)
Advanced Research in Computational Optical Imaging
edited by
submission deadline 1 Mar 2026 | 1 articles | Viewed by 1610 | Submission Open
Keywords: computational imaging; computational microscopy; multidimensional imaging; 3D sensing; high-speed imaging; biomedical imaging; optical computing
(This special issue belongs to the Section Optical Interaction Science)
Advanced Optical Metrology Technology
edited by , and Jiaqiong Li
submission deadline 1 Mar 2026 | Viewed by 193 | Submission Open
Keywords: optical metrology; laser scanner; structured light; computer vision; interferometry
Emerging Applications of Vortex Beams
edited by and Chong Qin
submission deadline 1 Mar 2026 | Viewed by 184 | Submission Open
Keywords: vortex beams; metasurfaces; optical manipulation; optical communications; quantum cryptography; super-resolution microscopy; free-space optics; spatial light modulators; optical sensing; light– matter interactions; vortex generation/detection; integrated photonics
Advances in Dual-Comb Spectroscopy
edited by and Ryan T. Rhoades
submission deadline 10 Mar 2026 | 1 articles | Viewed by 1569 | Submission Open
Keywords: Dual-Comb Spectroscopy; Frequency Comb; Time-Resolved Dual-Comb; Deep-UV Dual-Comb; MIR Dual-Comb; Sensing; Fourier Transform Spectroscopy; Kerr Comb; EO Comb
(This special issue belongs to the Section Lasers, Light Sources and Sensors)
Lasers and Complex System Dynamics submission deadline 10 Mar 2026 | 2 articles | Viewed by 962 | Submission Open
Keywords: laser dynamics; nonlinear optics; complex systems; spatio-temporal chaos; self-organization; synchronization; cavity solitons; laser networks; photonic instabilities; emergent behavior
(This special issue belongs to the Section Lasers, Light Sources and Sensors)
Technologies and Applications of Optical Imaging
edited by , Shilong Xu and
submission deadline 13 Mar 2026 | 4 articles | Viewed by 3340 | Submission Open
Keywords: visible/infrared imaging; computational optical imaging; fluorescence imaging; hyperspectral imaging; polarization imaging; laser scanning imaging; reflective tomography lidar imaging; synthetic aperture lidar imaging; photoacoustic imaging; multi-sensor fusion imaging
(This special issue belongs to the Section Optical Interaction Science)
Recent Progress in Optical Quantum Information and Communication submission deadline 15 Mar 2026 | 1 articles | Viewed by 1688 | Submission Open
Keywords: optical quantum information; quantum communication; quantum networks; single-photon sources; entangled photons; quantum key distribution (qkd); quantum frequency conversion; photonic quantum computing; quantum optics; nonlinear optics in quantum systems; photonic integrated circuits (pics)
(This special issue belongs to the Section Quantum Photonics and Technologies)
Advances in Ultrafast Science and Applications
edited by Bingying Lei, , Rui Lou and Boping Xu
submission deadline 15 Mar 2026 | 1 articles | Viewed by 1050 | Submission Open
Keywords: ultrafast laser system; ultrafast applications; ultrashort pulse generation; attosecond science; ultrafast dynamics; nonlinear optics; ultrafast laser– matter interactions
Recent Progress in Ultrafast Fiber Lasers
edited by Qianglong Li and Feng Li
submission deadline 15 Mar 2026 | Viewed by 422 | Submission Open
Keywords: ultrafast fiber laser fiber mode-locking; ultrashort pulse amplification; large-mode-area fiber amplifier; nonlinear spectrum broadening; nonlinear pulse amplification; nonlinear pulse compression high-order harmonic generation; wavelength conversion and tuning; optical parametric amplification; stabilized ultrafast lasers; ultrashort pulse sensing
(This special issue belongs to the Section Lasers, Light Sources and Sensors)
Emerging Trends in Silicon Photonics
edited by Amin Babazadeh
submission deadline 20 Mar 2026 | 1 articles | Viewed by 3806 | Submission Open
Keywords: silicon photonics; integrated photonics; quantum photonics; quantum computing; communication photonics; information processing; sensors; imaging; light sources and detectors; quantum communication
(This special issue belongs to the Section Optoelectronics and Optical Materials)
Shining Light on Healing: Photobiomodulation Therapy submission deadline 20 Mar 2026 | 2 articles | Viewed by 1553 | Submission Open
Keywords: photobiomodulation therapy (PBMT); low-level light therapy (LLLT); transcranial PBMT; light– tissue interaction; red light therapy; anti-inflammatory effects; tissue regeneration; neuromodulation; mitochondrial photostimulation; clinical applications of PBMT
(This special issue belongs to the Section Biophotonics and Biomedical Optics)
Optical Systems and Design
edited by
submission deadline 20 Mar 2026 | 2 articles | Viewed by 1488 | Submission Open
Keywords: optical design; diffractive optics; hybrid optical system design; metalens-based imaging optical system design
(This special issue belongs to the Section Optical Interaction Science)
Advances in Super-Resolution Optical Imaging and Microscopy
edited by Chenshuang Zhang and Zhenlong Huang
submission deadline 22 Mar 2026 | Viewed by 160 | Submission Open
Keywords: super-resolution microscopy; live-cell super-resolution imaging; cellular dynamics; multimodal imaging; theranostics; cellular dynamics; deep learning
Advanced Optical Measurement Spectroscopy and Imaging Technologies
edited by Geer Teng
submission deadline 30 Mar 2026 | 2 articles | Viewed by 2015 | Submission Open
Keywords: optical information acquisition; photonics and spectroscopy informatics; spectral analysis; optical detection systems and new components; optical diagnosis; multimodal imaging; image processing; optical sensors; molecular imaging; remote sensing and microscopy; non-destructive detection; fast optical inspection; optical information algorithms and processing
Freeform Optical Systems: Design and Applications
edited by and Jiadong Yu
submission deadline 30 Mar 2026 | 1 articles | Viewed by 1564 | Submission Open
Keywords: freeform optics; imaging and non-imaging; optical design; ray tracing; ultra-precision machining; single-point diamond turning; polishing; freeform component measurement; computer-generated hologram; computer-aided alignment; novel applications; other technologies related to freeform optics
(This special issue belongs to the Section Optical Interaction Science)
Laser as a Detection: From Spectral Imaging to LiDAR for Remote Sensing Applications (2nd Edition) submission deadline 30 Mar 2026 | 1 articles | Viewed by 433 | Submission Open
Keywords: laser detection; LiDAR; laser spectroscopy; remote sensing; optical design
(This special issue belongs to the Section Lasers, Light Sources and Sensors)
Optical Information Transmission in Turbidity and Complex Media: Challenges and Innovative Breakthroughs
edited by , , Haifeng Yao and
submission deadline 30 Mar 2026 | Viewed by 92 | Submission Open
Keywords: optical information transmission; turbid media; scattering; wavefront shaping; biomedical imaging; atmospheric aerosols; computational imaging; underwater communication
(This special issue belongs to the Section Optical Communication and Network)
Advances in Solid-State Laser Technology and Applications
edited by Zhen Qiao
submission deadline 31 Mar 2026 | 8 articles | Viewed by 8206 | Submission Open
Keywords: solid-state lasers; high-power lasers; pulsed lasers; laser materials; structured light laser; materials processing; laser medical treatment; laser metrology; information processing; quantum optics
(This special issue belongs to the Section Lasers, Light Sources and Sensors)
Advancements in Optical Metrology and Imaging
edited by Yingying Wan, Ji Tan and Gaoxu Wu
submission deadline 31 Mar 2026 | 6 articles | Viewed by 5043 | Submission Open
Keywords: optical measurement; 3D/2D imaging; computational imaging; image processing; optical inspection; deep learning and machine learning
(This special issue belongs to the Section Optical Interaction Science)
Advanced Photonic Integration Technology and Devices
edited by
submission deadline 31 Mar 2026 | 3 articles | Viewed by 3929 | Submission Open
Keywords: photonics integrated circuits; optoelectronics; Si photonics; hybrid integration
Advances in Laser Spectroscopy: From Fundamentals to Applications
edited by Jianing Wang, and
submission deadline 31 Mar 2026 | 2 articles | Viewed by 2709 | Submission Open
Keywords: laser technology; laser Raman spectroscopy; laser-induced fluorescence spectrum; absorption spectroscopy technology; laser spectral imaging; laser confocal microscopy; fiber sensing; remote sensing; atomic and molecular spectroscopy
(This special issue belongs to the Section Optical Interaction Science)
Current Research, Trends, and Prospects in Laser-Assisted Additive Printing Technology
edited by Anne-Patricia Alloncle and
submission deadline 31 Mar 2026 | 1 articles | Viewed by 1536 | Submission Open
Keywords: laser-assisted additive printing technology; laser-assisted bio-printing; laser-induced forward transfer; additive microfabrication; micro-/nano-additive structuring
(This special issue belongs to the Section Lasers, Light Sources and Sensors)
Optical Fiber Sensors: Refractivity and Interferometric Applications
edited by Qirui Wang, and
submission deadline 31 Mar 2026 | Viewed by 266 | Submission Open
Keywords: fiber optic sensors; refractive index sensing; biosensors and detection; fiber optic interferometers; instrumentation; measurements
(This special issue belongs to the Section Lasers, Light Sources and Sensors)
Two-Dimensional Materials for Emerging Photonics and Spintronics Applications
edited by and
submission deadline 31 Mar 2026 | Viewed by 254 | Submission Open
Keywords: two-dimensional materials; quantum photonics; quantum optics; nonlinear optics; spintronics; polariton; Moiré superlattices; light– matter interactions; metamaterials; anisotropic materials
Advancing Nanophotonics: Research, Innovations, and Intelligence
edited by Jietao Liu and
submission deadline 31 Mar 2026 | Viewed by 239 | Submission Open
Keywords: nanophotonics; artificial intelligence; integrated photonics; metasurfaces; plasmonics; sensing; imaging; nonlinear optics; photonic crystals; AI-powered design
(This special issue belongs to the Section Optical Interaction Science)
Light as a Cure: Photobiomodulation and Photodynamic Therapy
edited by
submission deadline 31 Mar 2026 | Viewed by 190 | Submission Open
Keywords: photobiomodulation; laser acupuncture; combined therapy; chronobiology; wearable device for PBMT; rare diseases treated with PBMT; face diagnosis; photodynamic therapy; traumatic brain injury; pain relief; inflammation reduction; enhanced healing; synergistic approach in integrative care; mind– body interventions
(This special issue belongs to the Section Biophotonics and Biomedical Optics)
Advanced Lasers and Their Applications, 3rd Edition
edited by , Chao-Jian He and
submission deadline 31 Mar 2026 | Viewed by 173 | Submission Open
Keywords: fiber laser; all-solid-state laser; semiconductor laser; micro/nano structure fabrication; optical sensor
(This special issue belongs to the Section Lasers, Light Sources and Sensors)
Optical Thin Films: From Materials to Applications
edited by
submission deadline 31 Mar 2026 | Viewed by 164 | Submission Open
Keywords: thin films; optical materials; optical devices; luminescence; light emission
(This special issue belongs to the Section Optoelectronics and Optical Materials)
Photonic Integrated Circuits: Emerging Spectra and Technologies
edited by
submission deadline 31 Mar 2026 | Viewed by 161 | Submission Open
Keywords: photonics integrated circuits; ultra-violet photonics; integrated quantum photonics; heterogeneous integration; visible photonics; sensing; imaging; nonlinear optics
Recent Progress in Vertical-Cavity Surface-Emitting Lasers (VCSELs)
edited by , Dongyue Jin and Wei Li
submission deadline 31 Mar 2026 | Viewed by 138 | Submission Open
Keywords: VCSELs; high-speed modulation; high-power operation; high power conversion efficiency; 3D sensing
(This special issue belongs to the Section Optoelectronics and Optical Materials)
Diffractive Optics: From Fundamentals to Applications
edited by Wenli Li and Yechuan Zhu
submission deadline 31 Mar 2026 | Viewed by 136 | Submission Open
Keywords: diffractive optical elements (DOEs); metasurfaces and their imaging systems; computational optics/inverse design; nanofabrication; beam shaping/structured light; optical devices/systems integration
(This special issue belongs to the Section Optoelectronics and Optical Materials)
Photonic Innovations in Optical Coherence Tomography
edited by and Yan Li
submission deadline 31 Mar 2026 | Viewed by 121 | Submission Open
Keywords: optical coherence tomography; swept-source lasers; photonic integrated circuits; adaptive optics; OCT angiography; computational imaging; biomedical photonics; deep learning in OCT; functional OCT; multi-modal imaging
(This special issue belongs to the Section Biophotonics and Biomedical Optics)
Advances in EUV Optics: Science and Technology
edited by and
submission deadline 31 Mar 2026 | Viewed by 91 | Submission Open
Keywords: EUV optics; lithography; mirror polishing; metrology; grating; thin films; multilayers; optical performance; synchrotron radiation; free electron lasers
(This special issue belongs to the Section Lasers, Light Sources and Sensors)
Emerging Trends in Laser Diagnostics
edited by
submission deadline 31 Mar 2026 | Viewed by 79 | Submission Open
Keywords: laser spectroscopy; artificial intelligence and machine learning; dual-comb spectroscopy; quantum-cascade lasers; mid-infrared and thz systems; plasma diagnostics; biomedical applications; environmental monitoring; combustion diagnostics; non-destructive testing
(This special issue belongs to the Section Optical Interaction Science)
Challenges and Opportunities in Wireless Optical Communication
edited by and
submission deadline 1 Apr 2026 | 1 articles | Viewed by 4143 | Submission Open
Keywords: wireless optical communication (WOC); visible light communication (VLC); free space optical communication (FSO); optical camera communication (OCC); Li-Fi technology and its applications; key characteristics for high data rates; non LoS and LoS Requirements; modulation techniques; hybrid RF– optical solutions
(This special issue belongs to the Section Optical Communication and Network)
Next-Generation Optical Frequency Combs and Their Photonic Applications
edited by
submission deadline 1 Apr 2026 | 1 articles | Viewed by 536 | Submission Open
Keywords: optical frequency combs; soliton combs; microcombs; dual-comb spectroscopy; quantum frequency combs; EO comb; kerr comb; chip-scale frequency combs; spectral shaping; precision measurement; precision metrology; hyperspectral imaging; microwave generation; microresonators; noise characterization; integrated photonics
Photonics for Emerging Applications in Communication and Sensing, 2nd Edition
edited by , Zhenzhou Cheng and Ting-Hui Xiao
submission deadline 10 Apr 2026 | 5 articles | Viewed by 6655 | Submission Open
Keywords: silicon photonics; optical fiber subsystems; photonic integrated circuits; optical network technology
(This special issue belongs to the Section Optical Communication and Network)
Quantum Optics: Advances and Applications
edited by Kui Liu
submission deadline 10 Apr 2026 | Viewed by 53 | Submission Open
Keywords: the preparation and measurement of quantum light sources; quantum computing and quantum simulation; fundamental issues in quantum optics; quantum effects of interactions between light fields and matter; micro- and nano-quantum optics; quantum precision measurement and quantum sensing; quantum communication and quantum key distribution
(This special issue belongs to the Section Quantum Photonics and Technologies)
Metasurface-Based Photonic Devices and Their Applications
edited by Jingfeng Chen
submission deadline 10 Apr 2026 | Viewed by 38 | Submission Open
Keywords: metasurfaces; subwavelength resonators; beamforming; reconfigurable metasurfaces; 2D materials integration; polarization manipulation
(This special issue belongs to the Section New Applications Enabled by Photonics Technologies and Systems)
Science and Applications of Optical Fiber Sensors: Recent Advances and Future Trends
edited by Alex Dante and Quandong Huang
submission deadline 15 Apr 2026 | 7 articles | Viewed by 14152 | Submission Open
Emerging Trends in Spectral Analysis with Optical Sensors: Modern Approaches and Applications
edited by Qichang An and Hongchao Zhao
submission deadline 15 Apr 2026 | 6 articles | Viewed by 10391 | Submission Open
Keywords: fiber sensors; astrophotonics; optical instrumentation and measurements; integrated photonics; interferometers; diffraction neural network
(This special issue belongs to the Section Lasers, Light Sources and Sensors)
Advances in EUV/X-Ray Optics: Science and Applications
edited by and Srikanth Panini Singam
submission deadline 15 Apr 2026 | 1 articles | Viewed by 268 | Submission Open
Keywords: mirrors for deflecting; monochromatizing; and collimating beams; diffractive optics for monochromators and spectrometers; optics focused on KB mirrors; reflective lenses; and zone plates; the design and fabrication of multilayer optics; metrological techniques
(This special issue belongs to the Section Optical Interaction Science)
Functional Metasurfaces: Metalenses, Chiral Optics, and Beyond
edited by
submission deadline 15 Apr 2026 | Viewed by 92 | Submission Open
Keywords: functional metasurfaces; metalenses and flat optics; chiral metasurfaces and polarization control; nonlinear and quantum metasurfaces; metasurface-enabled imaging and sensing; tunable and reconfigurable metasurfaces; holography and optical information processing; metamaterials; nanophotonics
The Many Paths of Light: Unraveling Multimode Optical Fibers
edited by
submission deadline 15 Apr 2026 | Viewed by 27 | Submission Open
Keywords: multimode/multicore fibers  ; SDM  ; quantum multimode transmission  ; optical nonlinearity
(This special issue belongs to the Section Optical Communication and Network)
Nonlinear Optics and Hyperspectral Polarization Imaging
edited by , Yuhua Li, and Sibghat Ullah
submission deadline 20 Apr 2026 | 16 articles | Viewed by 29517 | Submission Open
Keywords: nonlinear optics; integrated optics; optical vortex; structured light; laser measurement; hyperspectral imaging; polarization imaging; laser imaging; deep learning
(This special issue belongs to the Section Optical Interaction Science)
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