Chasing 'Slow Light'
arXiv:physics/0602186 · doi:10.1070/PU2006v049n10ABEH006056
Abstract
A critical review of experimental studies of the so-called 'slow light' arising due to anomalously high steepness of the refractive index dispersion under conditions of electromagnetically induced transparency or coherent population oscillations is presented. It is shown that a considerable amount of experimental evidence for observation of the 'slow light' is not related to the low group velocity of light and can be easily interpreted in terms of a standard model of interaction of light with a saturable absorber.
17 pages, 8 figures, to be published in June issue of Phisics: Uspekhi under the title "Notes on Slow Light"