Quantum coherent control of self-induced ultraslow light

Quantum coherent control of slow light for all-optical switching is investigated in a multi-level system of solids for an understanding of self-induced ultraslow light. In an optical population shelving system of a rare-earth doped solid, dynamics of the slow light are presented by using a third optical field controlling shelved atom population. Unlike two-photon coherence-based delayed all-optical switching utilizing electromagnetically induced transparency, the present method relies on one-photon coherence controlling shelved atom population.