Challenges
Datasets
Workspaces
Papers
Discussions
Leaderboard
Log inSign up
Challenges
Datasets
Workspaces
Papers
Discussions
Leaderboard
Blog
Job Board
Q3AS

© 2026 Aqora Quantum S.A.S.

TermsPrivacyLegal Notice

Frontiers in Optics

Slow Light Using Biological Bacteriorhodopsin Film

Pengfei Wu

Published Jan 1, 2006• 0 citations
Publisher

Abstract

Group velocity of light is reduced to 0.091pm/s in a biological film. Exploiting flexible photo-dynamics for coherent photoisomerization oscillation, the velocity is all-optically controlled. Ultraslow light is observed at microwatt level, indicating high energy efficiency.
DOI
10.1364/fio.2006.fthq6

Related papers

Controllable Snail-Paced Light in Biological Bacteriorhodopsin Thin Film

Pengfei Wu, Devulapalli V. G. L. N. Rao

We observe that the group velocity of light is reduced to an extremely low value of 0.091 mm/s in a biological thin film of bacteriorhodopsin at room temperature. By exploiting unique features of a flexible photoisomerization process for coherent population oscillation, the velocity is all-optically controlled over an enormous span, from snail-paced to normal light speed, with no need of modifying the characteristics of the incident pulse. Because of the large quantum yield for the photoreaction in this biochemical system, the ultraslow light is observed even at low light levels of microwatts, indicating high energy efficiency.

Physical Review Letters•Dec 12, 2005•55 citations

Slow light in bacteriorhodopsin solution using coherent population oscillations

Chandra S. Yelleswarapu, Reji Philip A, Francisco J. Aranda +2 more

Slow light is demonstrated in liquid phase in an aqueous bacteriorhodopsin (bR) solution at room temperature. Group velocity as low as 3 m/s (all the way to c) is achieved by exploiting the photoisomerization property of bR for coherent population oscillations. Slow light in the liquid phase offers several advantages over solids or vapors for a variety of applications: (i) shorter lifetimes of the M state facilitate slow light at higher modulation frequencies, (ii) convection makes it possible to obtain large signal delays even at high input powers, and (iii) solution concentration is another convenient parameter to vary the signal delay over a wide range.

Optics Letters•Jun 18, 2007•14 citations

Ultraslow light propagation in an erbium-ions-doped crystal

Kamel Bencheikh, E. Baldit, Vincent Rouget +2 more

Slow light propagation results from the large dispersion of the refraction index. We report on such effect obtained by coherent population oscillations in an erbium doped crystal, corresponding to a group velocity of 3 m/s.

Quantum Electronics and Laser Science Conference•Dec 10, 2005•0 citations

Ultraslow light propagation in Erbium-doped solid-state materials

E. Baldit, S. Briaudeau, P. Monnier +2 more

Strong dispersion of the refraction index causes slow light propagation. We reported on such phenomenon induced by coherent population oscillations effect in Erbium-doped solids achieving group velocities as low as 2.7 m/s.

Slow and Fast Light (SL)•Jan 1, 2006•0 citations

Ultraslow and ultrafast light propagation in room-temperature solids

Robert W. Boyd, Mathew S. Bigelow, Nick N. Lepeshkin +2 more

We have observed ultraslow and ultrafast light propagation in several room-temperature solids as a consequence of the phenomenon of coherent population oscillations. Various new applications are enabled by the ability to exercise such control over the velocity of light.

Frontiers in Optics•Jan 1, 2004•0 citations

Flexible Slow and Fast Light in Optical Fibers

Luc Thévenaz A, Sanghoon Chin, Kwang Yong Song +1 more

A method to achieve an extremely wide and flexible control of the group velocity in an optical fiber is presented. Group velocities below 71,000 km/s on one hand, well exceeding the speed of light in vacuum on the other hand and even negative group velocities can readily be obtained.

IEEE Lasers and Electro-Optics Society Annual Meeting (LEOS)•Oct 1, 2006•1 citation
We observe that the group velocity of light is reduced to an extremely low value of 0.091 mm/s in a biological thin film of bacteriorhodopsin at room temperature. By exploiting unique features of a flexible photoisomerization process for coherent population oscillation, the velocity is all-optically controlled over an enormous span, from snail-paced to normal light speed, with no need of modifying the characteristics of the incident pulse. Because of the large quantum yield for the photoreaction in this biochemical system, the ultraslow light is observed even at low light levels of microwatts, indicating high energy efficiency.
Slow light is demonstrated in liquid phase in an aqueous bacteriorhodopsin (bR) solution at room temperature. Group velocity as low as 3 m/s (all the way to c) is achieved by exploiting the photoisomerization property of bR for coherent population oscillations. Slow light in the liquid phase offers several advantages over solids or vapors for a variety of applications: (i) shorter lifetimes of the M state facilitate slow light at higher modulation frequencies, (ii) convection makes it possible to obtain large signal delays even at high input powers, and (iii) solution concentration is another convenient parameter to vary the signal delay over a wide range.