Optomechanically induced ultraslow and ultrafast light

Slow and fast light is an important and fascinating phenomenon in quantum optics. Here, we theoretically study how to achieve the ultraslow and ultrafast light in a passive-active optomechanical system, based on the ideal optomechanically induced transparency (OMIT). Under the conditions of the ideal OMIT, an abnormal (inverted) transparency window will emerge accompanied with a very steep dispersion, resulting that the ultraslow light can be easily achieved at the transparency window by adjusting the dissipation rates of the two cavities, even with usual mechanical linewidth (such as Hz linewidth). Particularly, as the decay rate of the passive cavity tends to the gain rate of the active cavity, the ideal stopped light can be achieved. Similarly, the ultrafast light can be achieved at transparency window by tuning the coupling strength and the decay rates in the system.

Automated summary

This theoretical study explores how to achieve ultraslow and ultrafast light in an optomechanical system, based on the ideal optomechanically induced transparency. The abnormal transparency window with very steep dispersion allows for easy achievement of ultraslow light, while tuning coupling strength and decay rates enable the attainment of ultrafast light at the transparency window.