Fast Light, Slow Light and Left-Handed Light

This book describes the significant experimental progress made during the past decade. The author first studies superluminal group velocities that are not in conflict with special relativity and the role of quantum effects in preventing superluminal communication and violations of Einstein causality. The book examines the physics at the opposite extreme of very slow group velocities as well as stopped and regenerated light. It also discusses the possibility of designing metamaterials, followed by an introduction to the theory and consequences of negative refractive index. The author explores the possibility that "perfect" lenses can be made from negative-index metamaterials-perhaps the most controversial aspect of the field.