A flexible waveguide with an adjustable index of refraction. The core
layer and/or the cladding layer of a flexible waveguide may include a
plurality of nanoparticles having a different index of refraction than
the core layer and/or cladding layer. The plurality of nanoparticles may
have an index of refraction that is greater than or less than an index of
refraction of either the core layer or the cladding layer in order that
the overall effective index of refraction of either the core layer or the
cladding layer can be adjusted.