Superluminal pulse propagation through one-dimensional photonic crystals with a dispersive defect

The propagation of a pulse through one-dimensional photonic crystals that contain a dispersive and absorptive defect layer doped with two-level atoms is discussed. The dynamical evolution of the pulse inside the photonic crystal is presented. Superluminal negative group velocity (the peak appears at the exit end before it reaches the input end) is discovered. Although the group velocity is larger than c and even negative, the velocity of energy propagation never exceeds the vacuum light speed. The appearance of the superluminal advance or subliminal delay of the pulse peak inside the photonic crystal or at the exit end is due to the wave interference from Bragg reflections. © 2002 The American Physical Society.