Optica is a peer‑reviewed, fully open‑access scientific journal that publishes original research and review articles in the fields of optics, photonics, and related disciplines. The journal is published by the Optical Society (OSA), a professional organization dedicated to advancing the study and application of light.
History and scope
Optica was launched in 2018 to provide a high‑visibility outlet for significant advances across the broad spectrum of optical science and engineering. The journal’s scope includes, but is not limited to, theoretical and experimental studies of light–matter interaction, optical materials, imaging, laser technology, quantum optics, and optical communications.
Publication model
Articles are published continuously online after successful peer review and editorial processing, allowing rapid dissemination of research findings. As an open‑access journal, all content is freely available to readers worldwide under a Creative Commons license, with article processing charges (APCs) covered by authors or their institutions.
Editorial structure
The editorial board comprises leading researchers from academia and industry who oversee the peer‑review process. Manuscripts undergo evaluation by at least two independent experts to ensure scientific rigor and relevance.
Indexing and metrics
Optica is indexed in major bibliographic databases, including the Science Citation Index Expanded, Scopus, and INSPIRE. The journal’s impact factor and other citation metrics are reported annually by Clarivate Analytics in the Journal Citation Reports.
Access and archival policy
All articles are permanently archived in the OSA digital library and are assigned Digital Object Identifiers (DOIs) for persistent linking. The journal adheres to standard scholarly publishing ethics, including policies on data availability, conflict of interest, and plagiarism.
Related publications
Optica complements other OSA journals such as Applied Optics, Journal of the Optical Society of America A (JOSA A), and Journal of the Optical Society of America B (JOSA B), which focus on more specialized or applied aspects of optical science.
References
- Optical Society (OSA). “Optica – A New Open‑Access Journal.” OSA website, 2018.
- “About Optica.” Optica journal website, accessed April 2026.
This entry reflects information available from the journal’s official publications and recognized indexing services.