Flexible light-induced self-written optical waveguide with 50 μm core size

Abstract

We demonstrate a NIR light-induced self-written (LISW) optical waveguide between graded-index (GI) glass optical fibers with a 50 μm core size (50GIFs) using gel material. We describe the optical properties of the LISW optical solder in terms of its flexibility, adhesiveness, and loss. The results demonstrate that the two 50GIFs were self-coupled through the LISW optical waveguide, and the connection maintained adhesiveness against displacement. A low loss and relaxation of alignment tolerance were demonstrated for the optical interconnection between two 50GIFs using flexible LISW optical soldering. This technology is applicable to future autonomous driving systems using high-speed optical data transmission.