Time delay limits of stimulated-Brillouin-scattering-based slow light systems

We discuss the maximum achievable time delay of stimulated-Brillouin-scattering-based systems that rely on the superposition of gain and loss spectra. As we will show, the time delay can be enhanced up to 8.5 times if the gain is superimposed with a broad loss and 9.5 times if two narrow losses are superimposed at the wings of the gain. Furthermore, we show that the parametric interaction between the different pump waves is negligibly small. Our theoretical analysis does not include pulse distortions that are accompanied by the delay. (C) 2008 Optical Society of America.