About the Journal of Biomedical Optics
The Journal of Biomedical Optics (JBO) is a print and online journal that publishes peer-reviewed papers on the use of modern optical technology for improved health care and biomedical research.
The journal publishes full-length research papers, letters, opinions, outlooks, tutorials, and reviews. In addition to contributed research articles, JBO 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. To view a list of previously published special sections, see Past Special Sections.
Authors should read the journal policies prior to submission to ensure their manuscript meets the journal requirements. This page will also provide information about submitting a proceedings manuscript to the journal.
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 this journal.
Why publish in this journal?
JBO is a highly ranked journal focused on the applications of emerging technologies in lasers, optoelectronic devices, fiber optics, sensors, and imaging to medical research, diagnostics, and therapy. JBO's impact factor has consistently ranked in the top 10 in the optics category since 2001.
Author benefits:
- Online-first publication of articles
- Established and competitive impact factor
- Professional copyediting and typesetting
- Rapid review and publication
- Free online color figures
- Multimedia integration
- 5 free downloads for authors from the SPIE Digital Library
- Open access publication at a low competitive cost
- NIH-funded articles are deposited into PubMed Central (PMC) at no charge, with full-text access available one year after publication.
- Delayed open access after one year to all authors who pay the voluntary page charges in full.
- Abstracting and indexing in leading scientific databases, including Index Medicus/MEDLINE; Science Citation Index; Current Contents/Life Sciences; Current Contents/Engineering, Computers & Technology; Inspec; Scopus; Ei Compendex; and Chemical Abstracts
Submit a manuscript
Journal of Biomedical Optics 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 JBO Letters section of the journal. The manuscript length may not exceed three printed journal pages. Further details below.
JBO Letters: The purpose of this section of the Journal of Biomedical Optics 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 the Journal of Biomedical Optics. 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.
Technical Note: A concise description of a software package, instrument, chemical, or procedure that provides a solution to a specific problem and has sufficient value to many readers of JBO. The Note length may not exceed five printed journal pages.
Tutorial: A tutorial is an introductory and systematic description of a technology or a research topic. Tutorials should be accessible to general readers of JBO and may include homework problems.
Outlook: A visionary type of paper that takes a speculative look at where a technology or a research area might be heading. Of particular interest are the prospects in the next 5-15 years. Outlook papers should include a brief overview followed by predictions for the future and may occupy 5-10 printed pages in the journal. Potential authors are encouraged to contact the Editor-in-Chief before writing the manuscript.
Opinion: A description of opinions on a topic of general interest to the readers of JBO. Potential authors are encouraged to contact the Editor-in-Chief before writing the manuscript.
