Special Section Guest Editorial: Optical Materials

New optical materials and processes for making novel materials is key to almost all scientific developments of optical systems and devices, including lasers, sensors, detectors, cameras, solar cells, and communication and space systems. For example, optical communication, which is the basis for internet, phone, and data systems, started with the advent of low-loss optical fibers in the early 1970s. Low-loss fibers became a reality because of the invention of a new vapor phase deposition process which enabled the manufacture of ultimate high-purity glass materials. The solar cell devices for much-needed energy harvesting also depend on new materials. Therefore, research in new materials, processes, characterization, and diagnostic techniques are always very important and essential.