Maximal Refraction and Superluminal Propagation in a Gaseous Nanolayer

J. Keaveney, I. G. Hughes, A. Sargsyan, D. Sarkisyan, and C. S. Adams
Phys. Rev. Lett. 109, 233001 – Published 3 December 2012

Abstract

We present an experimental measurement of the refractive index of high density Rb vapor in a gaseous atomic nanolayer. We use heterodyne interferometry to measure the relative phase shift between two copropagating laser beams as a function of the laser detuning and infer a peak index n=1.26±0.02, close to the theoretical maximum of 1.31. The large index has a concomitant large index gradient creating a region with steep anomalous dispersion where a subnanosecond optical pulse is advanced by >100ps over a propagation distance of 390 nm, corresponding to a group index ng=(1.0±0.1)×105, the largest negative group index measured to date.

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  • Received 22 August 2012

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.109.233001

© 2012 American Physical Society

Authors & Affiliations

J. Keaveney1, I. G. Hughes1, A. Sargsyan2, D. Sarkisyan2, and C. S. Adams1

  • 1Joint Quantum Centre (JQC) Durham-Newcastle, Department of Physics, Durham University, South Road, Durham DH1 3LE, United Kingdom
  • 2Institute for Physical Research, National Academy of Sciences, Ashtarak-2 0203, Armenia

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Issue

Vol. 109, Iss. 23 — 7 December 2012

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