Fast light, slow light, and phase singularities: a connection to generalized weak values

We demonstrate that Aharonov-Albert-Vaidman (AAV) weak values have a direct relationship with the response function of a system, and have a much wider range of applicability in both the classical and quantum domains than previously thought. Using this idea, we have built an optical system, based on...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inarXiv.org
Main Authors Solli, D R, McCormick, C F, Chiao, R Y, Popescu, S, Hickmann, J M
Format Paper
LanguageEnglish
Published Ithaca Cornell University Library, arXiv.org 07.10.2003
Subjects
Domains
Optical communication
Photonic crystals
Polarized light
Response functions
Signal processing
Singularities
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Summary:We demonstrate that Aharonov-Albert-Vaidman (AAV) weak values have a direct relationship with the response function of a system, and have a much wider range of applicability in both the classical and quantum domains than previously thought. Using this idea, we have built an optical system, based on a birefringent photonic crystal, with an infinite number of weak values. In this system, the propagation speed of a polarized light pulse displays both superluminal and slow light behavior with a sharp transition between the two regimes. We show that this system's response possesses two-dimensional, vortex-antivortex phase singularities. Important consequences for optical signal processing are discussed.
ISSN:2331-8422
DOI:10.48550/arxiv.0310048