Criteria for Publication and Review

Journal of Laser Applications (JLA) accepts high-quality Letters, Technical Articles, and Review Articles that cover a broad range of topics, from fundamental and applied research and development to industrial applications. Manuscripts must contain novel and original research that improves scientific understanding relating to one of nine topical categories, described in detail below:

• High Precision Materials Processing with Ultrafast Lasers
• Laser Additive Manufacturing
• High Power Materials Processing with High Brightness Lasers
• Emerging Applications of Laser Technologies in High-performance/Multi-function Materials and Structures
• Surface Modification
• Lasers in Nanomanufacturing / Nanophotonics & Thin Film Technology
• Spectroscopy / Imaging / Diagnostics / Measurements
• Laser Systems and Markets
• Medical Applications & Safety

Articles deemed by the Editors to fall within the scope of the journal are sent to two or more referees for technical review. In rare instances, decisions regarding suitability for publication are made after only a single review. Based on the reports of the confidential referees, the Senior Editor makes a decision on the manuscript. When accepted for publication, articles are published online into one of four quarterly issues per year.

Descriptions of Topical Categories

High Precision Materials Processing with Ultrafast Lasers: Subject coverage includes all interaction phenomena of ultrashort laser pulses with matter and innovative applications based on these mechanisms. On the interaction level nonlinear absorption, electronic and atomic behavior, thermal and thermomechanical processes, chemical and physical principles as well as aspects regarding plasma formation are covered by this topic. Also, optical properties play an important role, e.g. the modification of the refractive index by ultrashort laser pulses or the beam filamentation due to exceeding a specific breakdown intensity. From the applications point of view all areas ranging from single-pulse ablation and drilling via cutting, microjoining of glasses with high repetition rate lasers are of interest for publication in the journal.

Laser Additive Manufacturing: Laser additive manufacturing is one of the fastest growing macro applications of industrial lasers today. Subject coverage includes interaction between optical radiation and powder or wire deposition material with an emphasis on the aerospace, automotive, power generation and medical applications. Reports on both directly injected and pre-placed powder systems covering new alloys, powder and wire delivery technology, metallurgical, mechanical and corrosion properties of build structures are of interest. Also design for manufacture and path optimization studies. Reviews of additive laser applications from research to implementation are also welcome.

High Power Materials Processing with High Brightness Lasers: Subject coverage includes but is not limited to the physical basics and the technical processes of high power laser materials processing with high brightness lasers. Examples of topics regarding the physical basics include beam absorption, heat conduction, melt dynamics, vaporization and plasma formation, process control and process optimization. Examples for technical processes include laser cutting, welding, hardening, coating, ablation and cleaning with high brightness lasers. Materials covered include metals and alloys, nonmetals, compound materials and fiber composite materials. Emphasis on practical applications is welcome.

Emerging Applications of Laser Technologies in High-performance/Multi-function Materials and Structures: Laser technologies are currently having a wide range of industrial applications including cutting, marking, welding, surface engineering, repair/re-manufacturing and direct part manufacturing. The applicable materials cover plastics, metals, ceramics, composites and semiconductors, on a scale from nanometers to meters. The general goal of this section aims to achieve an integration of “designed material”, “optimized structure”, “tailored laser process”, and “high-performance/multi-function” for the sustainable development of laser technologies, which is of unique interest and practical significance for successful industrial applications. The scope of this section encompasses, but is not restricted to, the following areas: design and modeling of laser processes for performance/function-oriented materials, components and devices; multi-scale laser process control and optimization for process enhancements; multiple and novel materials for laser processes; characterization and performance including mechanical, electrical, thermal, chemical, biological, optical, etc; and novel applications of laser technologies with high-performance/multi-function in key industries including aerospace, gas turbines, automotive and biomedical engineering, etc.

Surface Modification: Subject coverage includes experimental and theoretical studies related to surface science, technology and engineering based on the interaction with lasers. Major topics include but not limited to laser cladding, laser alloying, laser hardening laser synthesizing, laser sintering, laser shock peening, laser cleaning, laser polishing, laser texturing, surface micro/nano structures, and interface science. Advances on novel modification approaches, microstructure evolution, new phase identification, modification mechanism analyses, improved surface property recognition and new application demonstration are of interest. Review papers are especially welcome.

Lasers in Nanomanufacturing/Nanophotonics & Thin Film Technology: Subject coverage includes utilization of optical and photonic properties of light in nanomaterial growth, processing and characterization. Some examples of topics include photochemical, near field, optical trapping, thermal, optical coupling, absorption and non-linear effects in both nanomaterial growth and characterization. Materials covered includes but not limited to amorphous, semiconductors, metals and alloys, insulators and polymers in nanoscale. Reports on optimization and invention of materials, growth methods, characterization techniques and application are of interest. Emphasis on device fabrications and applications is strongly welcomed.

Spectroscopy/Diagnostics/Imaging/Measurements: This subject includes sensing and measurement related to laser materials processes. This includes characterization of materials prior to laser processing (e.g. in-situ identification, measurement and location of features, measurement of material composition, etc.) in-process sensing (e.g. measurement of optical, acoustic or other process emissions, identification, measurement and location of laser processed features, etc.) and in-situ post-process characterization of laser processing results (e.g. identification, measurement and location of laser processed features, material composition, etc.). Descriptions of the use of such sensor measurements to implement feedback or feedforward controls on the laser materials process are welcomed. Research related to laser beam or focus spot characterization systems or techniques with application to laser materials processes are of interest.

Laser Systems and Markets: Subject coverage includes all technology and phenomena in delivering the laser beam from the resonator to the material interaction. It includes the beam delivery fibers or mirror system, the system control, the drive system and automation concepts. The interrelation between the different components and new breakthrough developments of laser systems are topics. Reports on scientific research concerning specific laser markets and their impacts based on laser applications are also welcome.

Medical Applications & Safety: Subject coverage includes interactions between optical radiation and biological tissues, with an emphasis on both medical and surgical applications as well as potentially adverse health effects in humans and living organisms. Some examples of topics include biophysical studies of tissue optics, scatter, absorption and non-linear effects in tissue, optical dosimetry, thermal, thermomechanical, photochemical and non-linear effects. Reports on optimizing, photodiagnostics, photochemotheraphy, photoablation, photocoagulation or photodisruption, and descriptions of new biomedical laser delivery systems are of interest. Reviews of clinical laser applications aimed at the non-clinicians are also welcome. Subject coverage also includes all applied aspects of laser safety and safety standards. Including topics such as: setting maximum permissible exposure (MPE) limits, new safety standards and regulations, laser classification, hazard evaluation and risk analysis, control measures for both laser radiation and ancillary hazards, laser accident investigations, safety training, eye and skin protection and laser protective materials.

Language Standard

It is the authors’ responsibility to ensure that manuscripts are written clearly. Manuscripts that do not meet the Journal of Laser Applications language standard will be returned to the authors for rewrite and can be rejected for this reason alone. Authors, whose primary language is not English, are advised to have their manuscripts edited by an English-speaking colleague or a professional editing service before the initial submission. AIP Author Services can help improve the quality of your written English so editors and reviewers can fully understand your research. Note that this is not a requirement or a guarantee of acceptance for review or publication.

Retraction and Correction Policies

AIP Publishing takes its responsibility to maintain the integrity and completeness of the scholarly record of its content for all end users very seriously. AIP Publishing places great importance on the authority of articles after they have been published, and its policy is based on best practice in the academic publishing community. Changes to articles after they have been published online may be made only under the circumstances outlined in AIP Publishing's Retraction and Correction Policies.

Transfers

If the editors decide that your manuscript is not suitable for publication in Journal of Laser Applications, you may transfer your manuscript, without resubmitting, to AIP Advances for immediate consideration. AIP Advances is a peer-reviewed, fully open-access journal covering all areas of the physical sciences. Articles published in the journal are always freely accessible to download without a subscription.

If you choose to transfer your manuscript to AIP Advances, all reviewer reports and editor’s recommendations will be transferred along with the manuscript to facilitate a rapid decision. Once transferred, your article may be published online within 14 days, depending on the initial reviewer feedback and the editor’s decision. This option may save you considerable time by avoiding the resubmission and re-review process associated with submitting your manuscript to another journal. For more information about AIP Advances, visit http://pubs.aip.org/aip/adv.

If you wish to transfer your manuscript to another AIP Publishing journal, please contact the Editorial Office to request a transfer. Please note that transferring manuscript files across AIP Publishing journals does not guarantee that the manuscript will be considered by the receiving journal; manuscripts must meet that respective journal’s acceptance criteria.