Feature issue introduction: optical ceramics

Abstract

This feature offers 11 papers in the field of optical ceramics, and encompasses advances in optics, materials science, condensed matter, as well as physics and chemistry relevant to the development of new optical materials. Topics covered include material technologies in the field of polycrystalline ceramics, single crystals, and glass ceramics in the form of bulk and microstructured materials along with methods to fabricate the materials and a description of their optical properties pertinent for many applications.