Related papers: Strong Reverse Saturation and Fast-Light in Ruby
We develop models for the propagation of intense pulses in solid state media which can have either saturated absorption or exhibit reverse absorption . We show that the experiments of Bigelow {\it et al.}[Phys. Rev. Lett. {\bf 90}, 113903…
We use weak-value amplification to enhance the polarization-sensitive fast-light effect from induced Raman absorption in hot rubidium vapor. We experimentally demonstrate that projecting the output signal into an appropriate polarization…
Group delay for a reflected light pulse from a weakly absorbing dielectric slab is theoretically investigated, and large negative group delay is found for weak absorption near a resonance of the slab ($Re(kd)=m\pi$). The group delays for…
We investigate the non-linear response and energy absorption in bulk silicon irradiated by intense 12-fs near-infrared laser pulses. Depending on the laser intensity, we distinguish two regimes of non-linear absorption of the laser energy:…
Quantitative analysis of slow light experiments utilising coherent population oscillation (CPO) in a range of saturably absorbing media, including ruby and alexandrite, Er3+:Y2SiO5, bacteriorhodopsin, semi-conductor quantum devices and…
We calculate the characteristics of ultraslow light in an inhomogeneously broadened medium. We present analytical and numerical results for the group delay as a function of power of the propagating pulse. We apply these results to explain…
We report ultraslow group velocities of light in a solid. Light speeds as slow as 45 m/s were observed, corresponding to a group delay of 66 ms in a 3-mm thick crystal. Reduction of the group velocity is accomplished by using a sharp…
Backward Raman amplification of laser pulses in plasmas can produce nearly relativistic unfocused output intensities and multi-exawatt powers in compact devices. The largest achievable intensity depends on which of major competitive…
We present ultrafast pump-probe reflectivity and Doppler spectrometry of a silicon target at relativistic laser intensity. We observe an unexpected rise in reflectivity to a peak approximately $\sim$9 ps after the main pulse interaction…
X-ray refraction and absorption by neon atoms under the influence of an 800 nm laser with an intensity of 10^13 W/cm^2 is investigated. For this purpose, we use an ab initio theory suitable for optical strong-field problems. Its results are…
Multiple scattering of light by resonant vapor is characterized by Levy-type superdiffusion with a step size distribution $P(x) \propto 1/x^{1+{\alpha}}$, with $0 < {\alpha} < 2$. The Levy parameter ${\alpha}$ was measured from $P(x)$,…
The force exerted on a material by an incident beam of light is dependent upon the material's velocity in the laboratory frame of reference. This velocity dependence is known to be diffcult to measure, as it is proportional to the incident…
Saturable absorption is a nonlinear effect where a material's ability to absorb light is frustrated due to a high influx of photons and the creation of electron vacancies. Experimentally induced saturable absorption in copper revealed a…
The basic understanding of high-intensity femtosecond laser absorption in a solid is crucial for high-energy-density science. This multidimensional problem has many variables like laser parameters, solid target material, and geometry of the…
We study the propagation of light pulses in an absorbing medium when the frequency of their carrier coincides with a zero of the refractive index dispersion. Although slow light and, a fortiori, fast light are not expected in such…
We consider the effect of rapid rotation on the light curves of neutron stars with hot polar caps. For $P \approx 3$ms spin periods, the pulse fractions can be as much as an order of magnitude larger than with simple slowly-rotating…
It is now well established that a few femtosecond laser pulse will induce an ultrafast loss of moment in a magnetic material. Here we show that the opposite effect can also occur: an ultrafast increase in moment. Employing both…
The ability to control the speed and polarisation of light pulses will allow for faster data flow in optical networks of the future. Optical delay and switching have been achieved using slow-light techniques in various media, including…
Emission and absorption of light lie at the heart of light-matter interaction. Although emission and absorption rates are regarded as intrinsic properties of atoms and molecules, various ways to modify these rates have been sought in…
Light propagating in a moving medium with refractive index other than unity is subject to light drag. While the light drag effect due to the linear refractive index is often negligibly small, it can be enhanced in materials with a large…