Integrated fabrication of flexible light-induced self-written optical waveguides with cladding via selective polymerization [Invited]

This study developed a flexible light-induced self-written (LISW) optical waveguide technology using photocurable resin to reduce insertion losses in autonomous vehicle networks requiring high-speed data transmission. The fabrication process, achieved through advanced selective polymerization, employs 850 nm light for core formation and 405 nm light for cladding formation. The proposed approach achieves losses comparable to the conventional cladding substitution method while significantly shortening the fabrication process. Moreover, LISW waveguides with cladding demonstrate 2.0–3.0 dB lower insertion loss than air gaps under lateral displacement. This technology has potential applications in future autonomous driving systems reliant on high-speed optical data transmission.