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

D. R. Solli·C. F. McCormick·R. Y. Chiao·S. Popescu·J. M. Hickmann
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Abstract

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.

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D. R. Solli, C. F. McCormick, R. Y. Chiao, S. Popescu, J. M. Hickmann. 2003-10-07. Fast light, slow light, and phase singularities: a connection to generalized weak values. https://doi.org/10.1103/physrevlett.92.043601

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