Anomalies of radiation absorption and superluminal propagation of light: I. An isotropic layer

The features of superluminal propagation of light through an isotropic layer are investigated and the group velocity is calculated. Multilayer systems providing superluminal propagation of light over large distances with compensation of losses upon light transmission through the system are considered. The situations in which the propagation speed of a light pulse decreases or in which it is equal to zero are also investigated. The features of radiation absorption in a thin isotropic layer are considered. The effects of anomalously high and anomalously low absorption are found. It is shown that these effects are caused by an increase (decrease) in the density of light energy in the layer and by changes in the group velocity. The possibility of experimental observation of the effects discovered is discussed. (C) 2004 MAIK Nauka/Interperiodica.