全光通信技术是当前的研究热点, 而全光缓存器及高速光开关是全光通信技术的两个必备条件。实现全光缓存就必须减慢光速, 因此, 文章首先综述了国内外慢光技术的演变历程, 然后阐述了光纤慢光技术及其在高速全光通信中的应用研究情况, 最后提出了当前光纤慢光研究的难点, 以及光纤慢光研究对全光通信技术的战略意义。

All-optical telecommunication technology is currently a research focus and all-optical buffers and high-speed optical switches are two of its essential conditions. As it is necessary to reduce the light speed if all-optical buffers are to be realized, this paper first summarizes the evolution of slow light technologies both at home and abroad and then describes the research on fiber slow light technology and its applications in high-rate all-optical telecommunications. Finally, it presents the difficulties in current researches on slow light in optical fibers and the strategic significance of these researches to all-optical telecommunication technologies.