Optics InfoBase > JOSA B > Manuscript Templates

Manuscript Preparation Templates

OSA provides templates for Word and LaTeX to assist with formatting. Please also see the OSA Style Guides.

To ensure a successful submission please follow the links and download the appropriate files. Need help? Call 202.416.1917.

Instructions for MS Word (and Word-compatible) Users

• Word 2007 .docx files are not acceptable at this time; see Word 2007 Users for more information.
• When you use the templates, save your file with document extension .doc, not .dot.
• Please compose all math expressions (including those in text) with a math editor such as MathType to faciliate production.

Instructions for LaTeX/REVTeX Submissions

• Use standard LaTeX coding wherever possible and avoid use of custom macros.
• All math expressions, even simple ones, should be placed in a proper LaTeX math environment and should be coded as "cleanly" as possible without heavy customization for spacing, alignment, etc.
• Tar-gzip compression (not zip or other) must be used unless a single .tex file is submitted.
• Do not include subdirectories within the archive (figs\fig1.eps will not work; use fig1.eps).
• Include just one .tex file. Using \include and multiple .tex files will not work.
• Include any non-OSA or nonstandard style files with your submission.
• Figure files must be in .eps or .ps format (contact OSA if you wish to use .pdf or other formats and we will try to accommodate).
• Do not send unprocessed BibTeX. To use BibTeX, first produce the references output, and paste the output into your .tex file. See the LaTeX documentation for details.

Additional Resources for LaTeX Authors

• tar-gzip software for Windows (for Mac, create tar-gzip with StuffIt): 7-Zip, Ultimatezip
• CTAN repository
• UK TeX Faq

Double-Spaced Revised Manuscripts for Print Journals:

Until we complete the transition to full XML production, staff may request that revised LaTeX and REVTeX manuscripts be double spaced for JOSA A, JOSA B, Optics Letters, or Applied Optics. For this purpose, please use the following commands or ask OSA for assistance.

With osajnl.sty:

\documentclass[12pt,letterpaper,copyedit]{article}
\usepackage{osajnl2}

With other LaTeX:

\documentclass[12pt,letterpaper]{article}
\usepackage{ol2}  %% or any non-OSA journal package
\linespread{2.2}
        

With REVTeX4:

\documentclass[12pt,osajnl2,preprint,showpacs]{revtex4}
\DeclareRobustCommand{\baselinestretch{2.2}}
        

If you have questions or comments please e-mail elec@osa.org.