Slow Light in a Bragg Waveguide

Abstract

One-dimensional defect photonic crystal (Bragg waveguide) is studied from the viewpoint of the slow light problem. The calculations are presented showing that in the TiO$_2$/SiO$_2$-based Bragg waveguide one can obtain the group index of $\sim$ 1000 and spatial decay length of $\sim$ 3 mm for a nanosecond-scale pulse. Distortion of the pulse due to the group index dispersion proves to be acceptable for the relative pulse delay not exceeding 10. We also analyze propagation of the light pulse in the Bragg waveguide with a quantum well inside and provide arguments showing possibility of reaching the group index of $\sim$ 10000. To the best of our knowledge, analysis of pulse propagation in a Bragg waveguide in connection with the slow light problem has not been performed so far. We will still much appreciate any information about such studies, if any.