Slow light with markedly low group velocity is a promising solution for optical buffering and timedomain optical signal processing. It is also expected to enhance linear and nonlinear optical effects and/ or to miniaturize photonic devices because it compresses the optical energy in space. Photonic crystal waveguide devices allow the generation of on-chip slow light at room temperature with a wide bandwidth and low dispersion suitable for short pulse transmission. This paper explains the

more »

... ndwidth product and relative delay as crucial criteria for the buffering capacity of slow light devices. Then it describes the experimental observations of slow light pulse and shows a record high delaybandwidth product, relative delay, and tunability. And for the first time, it also demonstrates the enhancement of optical nonlinearities based on slow light pulse transmission.