Distortionless Propagation of Light Through an Optical Medium

Abstract

The equations describing the propagation of optical radiation through a medium of two-level atoms are presented in a way that emphasizes their relation to Poynting's theorem. Two classes of solutions which propagate without distortion are discussed. These solutions, together with the well-known hyperbolic secant solution, are analogous to the three possible types of motions of a simple pendulum.