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Updated: Jun 9, 2026
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Fabrication And Characterization Of Photonic Crystal Slow Light Waveguides And Cavities
Published on: November 30, 2012
On the use of slow light for enhancing waveguide properties
Jesper Mørk1, Torben R Nielsen
1DTU Fotonik-Department of Photonics Engineering, Technical University of Denmark, Building 343, Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark. jesm@fotonik.dtu.dk
Optics Letters
|September 3, 2010
Summary
Slow light in waveguides can enhance light-matter interactions like gain and absorption. This enhancement depends on the specific slow-light method and waveguide properties, offering better light speed control.
Area of Science:
- Optics and Photonics
- Materials Science
Background:
- Waveguides with dispersive materials are crucial for controlling light.
- Slow-light propagation offers unique opportunities for light-matter interaction enhancement.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify conditions for slow-light propagation to enhance gain, absorption, or phase change in waveguides.
- To analyze the dependence of enhancement on slow-light mechanisms and waveguide symmetry.
Main Methods:
- General analysis of waveguides with dispersive materials.
- Investigating the role of material and waveguide dispersion.
- Considering specific examples like electromagnetically induced transparency in photonic crystal waveguides.
Main Results:
- Identified conditions where slow-light propagation enhances light-matter interactions.
- Demonstrated that enhancement depends on the slow-light mechanism and waveguide translational symmetry.
- Showcased strong control of light speed through combined material and waveguide dispersion.
Conclusions:
- Slow-light propagation is a viable mechanism for enhancing optical effects in waveguides.
- Tailoring waveguide dispersion and slow-light mechanisms allows for significant control over light speed and interaction strength.
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