Slow Light in Ruby: Delaying Energy Beyond the Input Pulse

Wisniewski-Barker, E., Gibson, G. , Franke-Arnold, S. , Shi, Z., Narum, P., Boyd, R. W. and Padgett, M. J. (2015) Slow Light in Ruby: Delaying Energy Beyond the Input Pulse. In: SPIE OPTO 2015, San Francisco, California, United States, 7-12 Feb 2015, ISBN 9781628414684 (doi: 10.1117/12.2075912)

Full text not currently available from Enlighten.

Abstract

The mechanism by which light is slowed through ruby has been the subject of great debate. To distinguish between the two main proposed mechanisms, we investigate the problem in the time domain by modulating a laser beam with a chopper to create a clean square wave. By exploring the trailing edge of the pulsed laser beam propagating through ruby, we can determine whether energy is delayed beyond the input pulse. The effects of a time-varying absorber alone cannot delay energy into the trailing edge of the pulse, as a time-varying absorber can only attenuate a coherent pulse. Therefore, our observation of an increase in intensity at the trailing edge of the pulse provides evidence for a complicated model of slow light in ruby that requires more than just pulse reshaping. In addition, investigating the Fourier components of the modulated square wave shows that harmonic components with different frequencies are delayed by different amounts, regardless of the intensity of the component itself. Understanding the difference in delays of the individual Fourier components of the modulated beam reveals the cause of the distortion the pulse undergoes as it propagates through the ruby.

Item Type:Conference Proceedings
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:Gibson, Dr Graham and Franke-Arnold, Professor Sonja and Padgett, Professor Miles
Authors: Wisniewski-Barker, E., Gibson, G., Franke-Arnold, S., Shi, Z., Narum, P., Boyd, R. W., and Padgett, M. J.
College/School:College of Science and Engineering > School of Physics and Astronomy
Journal Name:Slow Light, Fast Light, and Opto-Atomic Precision Metrology Viii
ISSN:0277-786X
ISBN:9781628414684

University Staff: Request a correction | Enlighten Editors: Update this record

Project CodeAward NoProject NamePrincipal InvestigatorFunder's NameFunder RefLead Dept
190304Challenges in Orbital Angular MomentumMiles PadgettEngineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC)EP/I012451/1P&S - Physics & Astronomy