Experimental investigation of slow light propagation in degenerate two-level system

Slowing a light pulse in a degenerate two-level system is observed with a double-frequency sweeping technique. The effects of coupling beam intensity, cell temperature and frequency detunings of the coupling and probe beams in resonance, on the slowing of light propagation in such a system are investigated. It is found that group velocities depend strongly on polarization combinations. A group velocity v_\rm g=6760m/s of light pulses in caesium vapour is obtained under the optimal parameters.