Fast Light, Slow Light and Group Velocity

Robert W. Boyd

We review progress in the development of methods for controlling the group velocity of light. These methods allow one to create situations in which the group velocity of light is much smaller than the velocity of light in vacuum c, in which the group velocity is greater than c, or in which the group velocity is negative. We present a survey of methods for establishing extreme values of the group velocity, concentrating especially on methods that can work in room temperature solids. We also describe some of the applications of slow and fast light that are currently under development.

Peter W. Milonni

C. Goyon, Matthew R. Edwards, Thomas D. Chapman +7 more

Slow and fast light, or large changes in the group velocity of light, have been observed in a range of optical media, but the fine optical control necessary to induce an observable effect has not been achieved in a plasma. Here, we describe how the ion-acoustic response in a fully ionized plasma can produce large and measurable changes in the group velocity of light. We show the first experimental demonstration of slow and fast light in a plasma, measuring group velocities between 0.12c and -0.34c.

Robert W. Boyd

We review progress in the development of methods for controlling the group velocity of light. These methods allow one to create situations in which the group velocity of light is much smaller than the velocity of light in vacuum c, in which the group velocity is greater than c, or in which the group velocity is negative. We present a survey of methods for establishing extreme values of the group velocity, concentrating especially on methods that can work in room temperature solids. We also describe some of the applications of slow and fast light that are currently under development.

Boyd