Applications of Ceramics and Glass in Photonics

Glass and glass-ceramic systems have long been central to the development of photonics. Their high optical transmittance, tunable refractive indices, and excellent mechanical, thermal, and chemical stability have enabled widespread use in light-based technologies. Advances in micro- and nanofabrication now allow precise control over structure and composition, leading to enhanced optical performance. As a result, these materials are increasingly viewed as versatile platforms for light generation, modulation, transport, and information storage. In emerging photonic architectures, such engineered media play a key role in driving progress in laser science, optical communication, sensing, imaging, and data-oriented applications, and are helping to shape next-generation intelligent photonic devices.To bring together recent advances and emerging perspectives on ceramics, glass, and glass-ceramic materials in photonics. Despite their long-standing importance, significant challenges remain in tailoring microstructures, compositions, and interfaces to achieve precise control over optical properties and energy transfer. Recent work has shown that compositional design, rare-earth doping, and controlled crystallization can markedly improve photoluminescence efficiency, nonlinear responses, and optical storage capabilities. In addition, hybrid and nanostructured systems offer new opportunities for integrating multifunctional photonic behaviors into compact and integrated platforms. This collection will provide a forum for discussing these developments and for highlighting both experimental and theoretical studies that deepen our understanding of light–matter interactions and explore new directions for photonic technologies.This Research Topic welcomes Original Research, Reviews, and Perspectives that address recent progress in the design, synthesis, characterization, and application of ceramic and glass materials for photonic devices. Specific themes include, but are not limited to:• Rare-earth-doped luminescent ceramics and glasses• Microcrystalline and glass-ceramic systems for optical information storage• Transparent ceramics and glass-ceramics for lasers and integrated photonics• Glass-fiber-based sensing applications• Novel fabrication and characterization techniques for photonic structures Topic editors: Xin Wang, Fakun Wang, Xiaosong Lu Source: https://www.frontiersin.org/research-topics/76449/applications-of-ceramics-and-glass-in-photonics