Phase control of group velocity: From subluminal to superluminal light propagation

We show that the group velocity of a weak pulse can be manipulated by controlling the phases of two weak optical fields applied to a V-shaped three-level system. Such control can even cause the probe propagation to change from subluminal to superluminal. We consider two schemes: in the first, the excited states are coupled by decay-induced coherence, which is an inherent property of the medium, and in the second, quantum coherence is created by coupling the excited states to each other by a strong microwave field. We also discuss the group velocity reduction experienced by a single weak propagating probe due to decay-induced coherence.