Advanced Photonics and Advanced Photonics Nexus are pleased to announce a call for papers for a joint theme issue “Time-Varying Photonics.”

 

Traditional photonics research has long centered on spatially structuring optical fields and materials. Time-varying photonics, however, harnesses temporal modulation to unlock new degrees of freedom, offering unprecedented control over light’s propagation, polarization, quantum states, and energy flow, and enabling new regimes of light-matter interactions. This paradigm shift has catalyzed breakthroughs in topological photonics, nonreciprocal devices, quantum information processing, and high-speed communication technologies. This theme issue aims to showcase original, high-impact research that advances the fundamental understanding and practical deployment of time-varying photonics. We welcome submissions spanning theoretical investigations, experimental demonstrations, and interdisciplinary applications.

 

Topics of interest include, but are not limited to:

1. Fundamental theories of light-matter interactions in time-varying systems
2. Design, modeling, and physics of time-modulated photonic materials and structures
3. Photonic time crystals and their applications
4. Topological phenomena in time-varying photonics
5. Nonlinear optical effects in time-varying photonic platforms
6. Quantum photonics enabled by time-dependent control
7. Time-varying photonic devices for communication, sensing, and imaging
8. Nonreciprocal light manipulation in time-varying media
9. On-chip integration of time-varying photonic systems
10. Ultrafast photonics driven by temporal modulation
11. Cross-disciplinary applications of time-varying photonics

 

All papers will undergo rigorous peer review. Manuscripts should be submitted according to the journal guidelines, and authors should include a cover letter indicating that the submission is intended for this theme issue. Papers will be published on an ongoing basis as soon as they are accepted and finalized.

 

NOTE: Submissions to Advanced Photonics are by invitation only. To submit to Advanced Photonics Nexus, please visit the related call for papers here (to be updated).

Photonics provides AI not only  with the tools to sense and  communicate more effectively,  but also with the instruments  to accelerate the inference  speed. Moreover, AI offers  photonics the intelligence  to process, analyze and  interpret the sensed data,  but also to solve a wide  class of inverse problems  in photonics design,  imaging and wavefront  reconstruction in ways  not possible before.

Thulium fiber lasers, operating at a wavelength of 2 micrometers, are valued for applications in medicine, materials processing, and defense. Their longer wavelength makes stray light less damaging compared to the more common ytterbium lasers at 1 micrometer. Yet, despite this advantage, thulium lasers have been stuck at around 1 kilowatt of output power for more than a decade, limited by nonlinear effects and heat buildup. One promising route to break this barrier is inband pumping—switching from diode pumping at 793 nm to laser pumping at 1.9 µm. This approach improves efficiency and reduces heat, but it introduces new challenges for fiber components, especially the cladding light stripper (CLS).

In the world of optics, tiny structures called microcavities—often no wider than a human hair—play a crucial role in technologies ranging from lasers to sensors. These microscopic resonators trap light, allowing it to circulate millions of times within their boundaries. When perfectly shaped, light inside them moves in smooth, circular paths. But when their symmetry is slightly disturbed, the light begins to behave unpredictably, following chaotic routes that can lead to surprising effects like one-way laser emission or stronger light–matter interactions.

Many modern artificial intelligence (AI) applications, such as surgical robotics and real-time financial trading, depend on the ability to quickly extract key features from streams of raw data. This process is currently bottlenecked by traditional digital processors. The physical limits of conventional electronics prevent the reduction in latency and the gains in throughput required in emerging data-intensive services.

As technology advances, photonic systems are gaining ground over traditional electronics, using light to transmit and process information more efficiently. One such optical system is laser beam scanning (LBS), where laser beams are rapidly steered to scan, sense, or display information. This technology is used in applications ranging from barcode scanners at grocery stores to laser projectors in light shows. To process a wider range of signals or enable full-color output, these systems utilize multiplexers that merge the red, green, and blue (RGB) laser beams into a single beam.

For decades, scientists have looked to light as a way to speed up computing. Photonic neural networks—systems that use light instead of electricity to process information—promise faster speeds and lower energy use than traditional electronics. But despite their potential, these systems have struggled to match the accuracy of digital neural networks. A key reason: most photonic systems still mimic the structure and training methods of digital models, introducing errors when translating from software to hardware.

For over a century, surgeons performing delicate procedures have relied on stereoscopic microscopes to gain a sense of depth. These tools mimic human vision by presenting slightly different images to each eye, allowing the brain to perceive three-dimensional structures—a crucial aid when working with fragile blood vessels or intricate brain tissue. Despite modern upgrades like digital displays and video capture, today’s operating microscopes still depend on the same core principle: two views, interpreted by the human brain.

Lasers have widespread applications as a light source in a variety of fields, including manufacturing, medicine, high-speed communications, electronics, and scientific research. In recent years, the demand for lasers with increased control over their output has grown significantly. In particular, ultranarrow bandwidth mode-locked lasers, which can produce extremely short laser pulses (short burst of light) ranging from picoseconds to nanoseconds, have received considerable attention. Such short laser pulses are extremely beneficial for many applications—from diamond cutting to semiconductor manufacture. However, these applications can be further improved with the incorporation of lasers with tunable pulse duration.

Laser frequency combs are light sources that produce evenly spaced, sharp lines across the spectrum, resembling the teeth of a comb. They serve as precise rulers for measuring time and frequency, and have become essential tools in applications such as lidar, high-speed optical communications, and space navigation. Traditional frequency combs rely on large, lab-based lasers. However, recent advancements have led to the development of chip-scale soliton microcombs, which generate ultrashort pulses of light within microresonators.

A newly developed metasurface-based silicon antireflective coating combines rectangular and cylindrical meta-atom geometries. The metasurface achieves just 5 percent reflection, compared to ~50 percent reflection with an unstructured silicon solar cell. Credit: Ovcharenko, Polevoy, and Yermakov, doi: 10.1117/1.APN.4.3.036009

Deep ultraviolet (DUV) lasers, known for their high photon energy and short wavelengths, are essential in various fields such as semiconductor lithography, high-resolution spectroscopy, precision material processing, and quantum technology. These lasers offer increased coherence and reduced power consumption compared to excimer or gas discharge lasers, enabling the development of more compact systems.

Quantum information processing is a field that relies on the entanglement of multiple photons to process vast amounts of information. However, creating multiphoton entanglement is a challenging task. Traditional methods either use quantum nonlinear optical processes, which are inefficient for large numbers of photons, or linear beam-splitting and quantum interference, which require complex setups prone to issues like loss and crosstalk.

Traditional imaging systems are bidirectional—if I can see you, you can also see me. Researchers at UCLA recently developed a new type of imaging technology that could revolutionize how we capture and process visual information: unidirectional imaging. By allowing images to be formed in only one direction, this technology provides an efficient and compact method for asymmetric visual information processing and communication.

In the fields of physics, mathematics, and engineering, partial differential equations (PDEs) are essential for modeling various phenomena, from heat diffusion to particle motion and wave propagation. While some PDEs can be solved analytically, many require numerical methods, which can be time-consuming and computationally intensive. To address these challenges, scientists have been exploring alternative computing paradigms, including photonic computing.

Understanding how light travels through various materials is essential for many fields, from medical imaging to manufacturing. However, due to their structure, materials often show directional differences in how they scatter light, known as anisotropy. This complexity has traditionally made it difficult to accurately measure and model their optical properties. Recently, researchers have developed a new technique that could transform how we study these materials.

Deep learning (DL) has significantly transformed the field of computational imaging, offering powerful solutions to enhance performance and address a variety of challenges. Traditional methods often rely on discrete pixel representations, which limit resolution and fail to capture the continuous and multiscale nature of physical objects. Recent research from Boston University (BU) presents a novel approach to overcome these limitations.

In recent years, advances in photonics and materials science have led to remarkable developments in sensor technology, pushing the boundaries of what can be detected and measured. Among these innovations, non-Hermitian physics has emerged as a crucial area of research, offering new ways to manipulate light and enhance sensor sensitivity. A recent study published in Advanced Photonics Nexus reports a breakthrough in this field, presenting a new type of sensor that leverages exceptional points (EPs) to achieve unprecedented levels of sensitivity.

As the world grapples with an aging population, the rise in neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s is becoming a significant challenge. These conditions place a heavy burden not only on those afflicted but also on their families and society at large. 

In an era where the internet connects virtually every aspect of our lives, the security of information systems has become paramount. Safeguarding critical databases containing private and commercial information presents a formidable challenge, driving researchers to explore advanced encryption techniques for enhanced protection.

Data centers stand as the cornerstone of modern information technology infrastructure. These centralized facilities are designed to store, process, and distribute vast amounts of data and applications, serving as the nerve center for digital services and businesses worldwide. From ensuring data availability to supporting scalability, disaster recovery, and maintaining robust security measures, data centers play a critical role in enabling the seamless functioning of today's interconnected digital landscape.

In a groundbreaking development at the intersection of quantum mechanics and general relativity, researchers have made significant strides toward unraveling the mysteries of quantum gravity. This work sheds new light on future experiments that hold promise for resolving one of the most fundamental enigmas in modern physics: the reconciliation of Einstein's theory of gravity with the principles of quantum mechanics.

New metasurface design enables efficient sorting of vector structured beams, a pivotal step toward the practical application of complex light beams

An innovative method for real-time CGH generation leverages a split Lohmann lens-based diffraction model to significantly reduce computational overhead while maintaining high-quality 3D visualization

An innovative mirror design revolutionizes ultra-intense ultrashort laser focus, enabling the highest intensity condition for ultra-intense ultrashort lasers, a breakthrough in strong-field laser physics

Researchers developed a 60-milliwatt solid-state DUV laser at 193 nm using LBO crystals, setting new benchmarks in efficiency values

Researchers advance visible-wavelength fiber lasers to propel laser technology forward

Researchers from Tsinghua University and National University of Defense Technology achieved optical neural network by manipulating the mode coupling in a subwavelength etched structure within confined spaces.

Microscopy breakthrough combines digital display with super-resolution for high-speed imaging to facilitate biological discovery

UCLA researchers extend the processing power of optical computing via spatially incoherent diffractive networks

Researchers develop a broadband, tunable absorber using a carbon-based metamaterial, paving the way for advanced technological applications

New technique uses an optical orbital angular momentum lattice to enhance information storage capacity and open the way for high-capacity holographic systems

Water enables a supercontinuum white laser covering an impressive spectral range

Tiled titanium:sapphire laser amplification promises to enhance the experimental capability of ultra-intense ultrashort lasers for strong-field laser physics

Gigahertz repetition pulses with individual colors and shapes unlock new potential in ultrafast imaging and laser processing

Encoding spatial information of objects into the orbital angular momentum of light enables the network to perform all-optical object classification

From space-wide internet to last-mile connectivity, portable free-space optical communication promises to bridge connectivity gaps on-demand

New approach to controlling moiré flatbands adjusts band offset of two photonic lattices

Complex-domain neural network achieves state-of-the-art coherent imaging accuracy, reducing exposure time and data volume by more than one order of magnitude

Researchers devise an approach to vastly enhance the near-infrared absorption in silicon, which could lead to affordable, high-performance photonic devices

Using novel differentiated design principles, researchers offer a way to eliminate chromatic aberration in metasurfaces

A new design approach in multiplexed holography exploits the infinite spiral modes and inherent orthogonality of OAM for enhanced information capacity and security

Breakthrough in chip-scale integration for next-gen applications unlocks the power of photonic integration for compact, affordable, and high-performing devices

In the world of optics, capturing high-dimensional optical information is crucial for understanding and characterizing various targets across different scenes. This includes important aspects like irradiance, spectrum, space, polarization, and phase. However, finding a single system that can gather all this information efficiently, while also being lightweight, portable, and cost-effective, is quite challenging.

Combining meta-optics with a photonic integrated circuit, the innovative interface can shape multiple light beams simultaneously in free space

A comprehensive overview of printable OLED applications in VLC systems provides guidance for designing OLED materials and devices

Efficient evolution from a fundamental pump mode to a desired parametric mode opens new possibilities for high-capacity optical communications and more

Using an ultrafast laser direct writing method, researchers arrange 3D voxels in glass to precisely direct light for various applications

A novel design for a photoelectrochemical ultraviolet photodetector uses a multilayered nanostructure for improved UV detection and better sensitivity to environmental changes

Optical detection of ultrasonic signals eliminates the need for ultrasonic transducers, enabling effective remote sensing of photoacoustic signals for label-free, bond-selective imaging of biological tissue

Polarization is a fundamental property of light and a key aspect of the modern world, spanning applications from quantum to classical realms, laboratory to industrial, and metrology to meteorology. Commonly, polarization is used as both a measurement tool and an information carrier. To extract the information, one needs to characterize the polarization after the interaction of light with the detecting media. However, the full characterization of polarization is less than trivial, given that polarization is a multi-parametric property. As such, characterizing a polarization in full involves its decomposition into the basis states, a process that typically requires several reconfigurable optical elements and computational reconstruction.

New research demonstrates feasibility of photon-number doubling with a lithium-niobate-on-insulator (LNOI) platform

Filament- and plasma-grating-induced breakdown spectroscopy offers improved sensitivities for trace metal detection in aqueous solutions

New method harnesses image scanning superresolution for enhanced photon efficiency in light-sheet microscopy

Researchers demonstrate light-induced locomotion in a nonliquid environment and report a new type of liquid-like motion

Early study on the Dirac Fermion utilized two-dimensional (2D) systems like graphene, while more recent work on the subject has focused on three-dimensional Dirac semimetals (3D DSM). 3D DSM has a key structural advantage over graphene monolayer in that it shows linear band dispersion with a macroscopic thickness. Similar to graphene, the Dirac band structure of 3D DSM confers very high optical nonlinearities. Since Dirac physics describes charge carriers in both 2D and 3D DSM, 3D DSM should have similar optical properties to graphene, such as tunable optical conductivity, high nonlinear optical coefficients, and stronger light confinement. Also, 3D DSM is better for plasmonic waveguides than 2D graphene because it has a 3D structure, which gives it an extra degree of freedom. Based on these great qualities, 3D DSMs are a good replacement for 2D DSMs. Cadmium arsenide (Cd3As2) is a popular 3D DSM because of its chemical stability in air and exceptional optical properties.

An innovative process using grayscale laser writing achieves vivid, fine-tunable color at centimeter scale

A novel laser–matter interaction can create deep nanochannels in hard and brittle materials

High-performance laser offers a new kind of light source for multiphoton microscopy, requiring only 10 mW of power to image tissue at depths of over 600 µm

Thin-film lithium niobate edge coupler enables on-chip second harmonic generation

Co-packaged optics (CPO) is an emerging, transformative technology that integrates optical interconnects directly with electronic components, addressing the increasing demands for higher bandwidth, lower latency, and improved energy efficiency. Recent advancements in integrated photonics, high-speed optical transceivers, and advanced packaging techniques are reshaping the landscape of high-performance computing and telecommunications.

The complete first issue is now available through the SPIE Digital Library and the Chinese Laser Press Researching website.