Dear Colleagues,

With the advent of optical technology, optical communication networks are flourishing. Several countries advanced in information technologies have invested considerable funding and manpower into constructing the infrastructure required to establish optical communication networks, with the aim of leveraging their key strengths, such as their low transmission loss and ultra-wide bandwidth. In the past decade, data traffic across optical communication networks has increased dramatically, highlighting the key roles of optical communication networks and the demand for this technology. Thus, the academic and industrial sectors should cooperate to develop next-generation optical communications technology. In line with this endeavor, we are pleased to announce a Special Issue that focuses on forward-looking concepts for optical communication networks. Given the increasing focus on advancements and future directions with respect to optical communication networks, the conclusions of the Special Issue are expected to pave the way for broader and more in-depth investigations. In addition, we aim to compile and provide comprehensive recommendations and guidelines for future technological prospects in the field.

For the Special Issue, original research articles and reviews dedicated to theoretical or experimental advances in optical communication network technologies are welcome. The Special Issue centers on recent advances in frontier technologies, technology trends, and related applications of optical communications technology. We strongly encourage the submission of papers focusing on the keywords listed below. However, studies on other related topics will also be considered.

Dr. Shu-Hao Chang
Dr. Chin-Yuan Fan
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 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

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.

• optical communication
• technology foresight
• communication network
• optical switching
• optical network