PIER Photonics: Guidelines for Authors

1. Article Types

We welcome the following contributions. In the published journal, articles are organized under the column headings shown below.

Article Type	Description	Category
Original Research Articles	Full reports of original, novel research presenting significant advances.	Research Articles
Review Articles	Comprehensive, authoritative summaries of a field, including future perspectives.	Review and Perspective
Perspective Articles	Forward-looking opinion pieces that highlight emerging topics or new interpretations.	Review and Perspective
Research Highlights	Short articles (typically 2-3 pages) concisely presenting a notable recent breakthrough or a critical observation.	Editorial, Highlights & Comments

All submissions must clearly state the novelty and significance of the work, as outlined in our Aims & Scope page.

2. Pre-submission for Review / Perspective Papers (Except Invited)

Except for invited papers, authors submitting Review Articles or Perspective Articles are required to prepare a Proposal and email it to photonics@jpier.org for pre-evaluation prior to formal submission.

The Proposal must include the following four sections:

I. Significance of the Topic

• Provide a clear statement on the importance of the proposed review or perspective.
• Explain its relevance within the journal's scope.
• Emphasize how the topic will address the interests and needs of the readership.

II. Originality and Timeliness

• Describe the novelty and timeliness of the proposed work.
• Highlight recent advances, emerging trends, or paradigm shifts that justify the need for this review or perspective at the present time.
• Clarify how this work will provide readers with new perspectives beyond established paradigms.

III. Current Literature Landscape

• Summarize existing reviews or perspectives on the topic, including where and when they were published.
• Identify the gaps or limitations in these works.
• Explain how the proposed review or perspective will offer unique insights, which are particularly valuable to our readers.

IV. Author Expertise & Representative Publications

• Summarize the expertise and track record of the corresponding author and co-authors.
• Emphasize prior contributions to the field and explain why the authors are well positioned to prepare this review or perspective.
• Provide five representative publications by the author(s) directly related to the proposed topic, including some recent publications.
• Provide a list of authors' relevant papers cited in the proposed review paper.

3. Article Processing Charges (APC)

As an open-access journal, all published articles are freely available online. No APC for Research Highlights. The total APC for papers of other types is calculated as follows:

Fee Type	Amount	Details
Paper Charge	USD 1000	Base charge for all accepted articles.
Overlength Charge	USD 100 / page	Applied to each page over 20.

Total APC = Paper Charge + Overlength Page Charge

4. Manuscript Preparation: Essential Requirements

Manuscripts need not be formatted in the final PIER layout, but must follow these rules.

General & Format

• Language: English.
• File Types: Submit a PDF (for review) and source files (LaTeX with EPS/PDF figures, or Word).
• Length: Aim for the final PDF to be within the 20-page limit after typesetting. Research Highlights are typically shorter (2-3 pages).

Structure & Content

• First Page: Title, author name(s), and affiliation(s).
• Author Info: Provide a separate file with the full name, affiliation, and email of every co-author. All co-authors must approve the submission.
• Abstract: A single paragraph. No numbered references. Define all nonstandard symbols.
• Headings: Clearly label sections (e.g., Introduction, Methods, Results, Conclusion).
• Originality: Clearly state the scientific contribution and novelty of your work.

Figures & Tables

• Captions: All tables and figures must have captions.
• Size: Maximum width is 11 cm.
• Quality: High resolution for screen and print. No instrument screen captures (replot the data).
• Format: Submit .eps, .jpg, or .png. Scans must be ≥600 dpi.
• Fonts: Use Times or Helvetica, comparable in size to the main text.

References

• Cite only published journal articles and books (no technical reports, memos, or unpublished work).
• Include the full title, place, and year of publication.
• LaTeX Sample: All PIER journals use a double-column layout (from Nov 2023). Download our sample file package here (link to .zip file).

5. Pre-submission Checklist

By submitting, authors confirm they have ensured:

• ☑ All co-authors agree with the submission.
• ☑ The work is original, has not been published, and is not under consideration elsewhere.
• ☑ Permissions are obtained for any reproduced figures or materials.
• ☑ The work adheres to ethical standards. Note: Plagiarism will result in a 3-year ban on future submissions.

6. Submission Instructions

The corresponding author must log in to our Author Center to submit.

Required Files for Upload:

• Manuscript PDF: A complete file (text, equations, figures). This is sent to reviewers.
• Source Files: LaTeX (with .eps/.pdf figures) or a single Word file.
• Author Information File: Listing all co-authors with their affiliations and emails.

Optional:

• Special Issue: Choose a title during submission. Editors will decide final placement.
• Suggested Reviewers: Provide names, emails, and affiliations.
• Supplementary Information: Can be uploaded separately.

Topic Selection (Required): Select multiple topics from our list to optimize the review process (e.g., Fundamental Science, Integrated Photonic Systems).

7. Editorial & Review Process

Step	Timeline	Key Action Required
1. Prescreen	1-2 days	Editors check scope, quality, and ethics.
2. Peer Review	3-6 weeks	Manuscript is sent to ≥2 expert reviewers.
3. Revision	3-7 days	Submit a point-by-point response and a marked-up revised file. Extensions available.
4. Typeset Proof	Within 3 days	Proofread the typeset PDF for typos only.
5. Final Proof & APC	Within 30 hours	Final proofread. Editors assign a journal. Pay the APC.
6. Schedule Notice	< 1 week	Paper is scheduled for publication. No further changes allowed.

Revision Submission: Use the online checklist in the Author Center. Email submissions are not encouraged and will cause delays.

No Response: Submissions may be withdrawn if there is no response within 1 month.

8. Contact Us

• Email: photonics@jpier.org
• Recommended: Use the "Send a Message" feature in the Author Center for reliable communication.