About Optical Engineering
Optical Engineering (OE) is a print and online journal that publishes peer-reviewed papers reporting on research and development in optical science and engineering and the practical applications of known optical science, engineering, and technology. Contributions addressing issues ranging from fundamental understanding to emerging technologies and applications are within the scope of the journal.
The journal publishes full-length research papers, letters, tutorials, and reviews. In addition to contributed research articles, OE often publishes special sections in key areas of technology. Special sections are assembled by guest editors. See the Editorial Schedule for a list of forthcoming special section topics and dates.
Conference authors who are interested in submitting a proceedings manuscript to the journal should read the journal policies for submission guidelines.
All authors are required to include a cover letter with their submission explaining the significance and novelty of the work, the problem that is being addressed, and why the manuscript belongs in OE.
Why publish in this journal?
Optical Engineering is the flagship journal of SPIE, published since 1962. OE aims to publish highly relevant and high-impact papers. OE is published online as part of the SPIE Digital Library, accessible by researchers at many of the world's leading universities, laboratories, and corporations as well as thousands of individual subscribers.
Author benefits:
- Online-first publication of articles
- Professional copyediting and typesetting
- Free online color figures
- Multimedia integration
- 5 free downloads from the SPIE Digital Library for authors
- Open access publishing for letters and selected review papers, at no cost to authors
- Abstracting and indexing in leading scientific databases, including Science Citation Index/Web of Science, Current Contents, Inspec, Scopus, Ei Compendex, and Chemical Abstracts.
- Eligibility for the Rudolf Kingslake Medal and Prize, awarded annually to the most noteworthy original paper published in OE.
Submit a manuscript
Optical Engineering uses an online submission system.
Authors should read and follow the instructions on how to prepare and format a manuscript prior to submission.
Manuscript types:
- Letter: A short technical communication of significant interest intended for rapid publication in the OE Letters section of the journal. The manuscript length may not exceed three printed journal pages. The purpose of this section of Optical Engineering is to provide rapid publication of short technical communications of significant interest. Submissions should be prepared in the same manner as a regular paper, except that there are no author biographies. The manuscript length may not exceed three printed journal pages. This corresponds to approximately 3000 words (excluding title, abstract, and author information); figures will further reduce the maximum word content. A brief cover letter setting forth the significance of the paper must accompany the manuscript. If accepted, letters will be scheduled for publication in the next available issue of Optical Engineering. Letters will be open access in the online journal and will also be part of the SPIE Letters. Regular page charges apply to letters.
- Regular Paper: A full-length manuscript presenting original work intended as a regular contribution to the journal.
- Special Section Paper: A full-length manuscript presenting original work intended for submission to a special topical section organized by a guest editor.
- Review Paper: An article reviewing a particular topic or field. Review papers are typically invited papers written by a highly regarded expert in the field. An author interested in submitting a review paper should submit an abstract and outline of the projected paper to the Editor for approval.
- Communication: A short technical communication on original work, a comment on a recent paper, or an erratum.
