Atomic absorbers for controlling pulse propagation in resonators

Abstract

We consider pulse propagation through a Fabry-Perot cavity with silver mirrors that contain macroscopic samples of resonant absorbers. We show that the pulse velocity can be tuned from subluminal to superluminal in a strongly coupled atom-cavity system. We delineate the effects of the interplay of cavity and absorbers. We demonstrate the saturation effects of pulse advancement with increasing mirror thickness and atomic damping.