Optica to publish first issue in July

The Optical Society (OSA) today announced it will publish a new open-access journal titled Optica to focus on the rapid dissemination of high-impact results in all areas of optics and photonics. This new online-only journal will publish its first monthly issue in July and will be a dedicated venue for authors to publish high-profile research in both theoretical and applied optics and photonics.

Optica will publish original research articles, letters and mini reviews with the aim of representing the most important work in the field. It will provide authors with a preliminary decision on whether their manuscript will go out for an in-depth review within five business days of submission. Alex Gaeta, professor of applied and engineering physics at Cornell University, will serve as editor-in-chief.

Optica’s editorial operation will be led by Gaeta, along with a renowned editorial board that includes dignitaries in the field such as Miguel Alonso, Connie Chang-Hasnain, Daniel Gauthier, Henry Kapteyn, Martii Kauranen, Thomas Krauss, Curtis Menyuk, Yehiam Prior, Henry van Driel and Hailin Wang. Gaeta will be supported by an executive editor, a new OSA staff position at the Ph.D. level.

“Optica will benefit authors and readers by providing top caliber articles and reviews from a publisher that’s been in the field nearly 100 years,” said Gaeta. “I am looking forward to working with the distinguished editorial board and reviewers to produce a one-of-a-kind journal that serves the global optics community and publishes high-impact results.”

Submissions to Optica will be accepted beginning in March. Article publication in this open-access journal will be supported by Article Process Charges, though the fee will be waived during the first year. OSA will also offer authors the convenience of submitting their work to another OSA journal if their manuscript is not accepted for Optica.

“OSA is known for meeting the needs of the optics and photonics community through our high-quality peer-reviewed journals,” said Elizabeth Nolan, deputy executive director and chief publishing officer at OSA. “As the leading publisher and professional society for our community, OSA is the natural home for a new journal that provides rapid peer review decisions, the option for authors to easily transfer articles to another OSA journal if rejected, and, most importantly, a place for authors to publish their highest profile work.”

For more information on the new journal, visit http://optica.osa.org.