QUANTUM CONTROL OF LIGHT: From Slow Light and FAST CARS to Nuclear $\gamma $-ray Spectroscopy

In recent work we have demonstrated strong coherent backward wave oscillation using forward propagating fields only. This surprising result is achieved by applying laser fields to an ultra-dispersive medium with proper chosen detunings to excite a molecular vibrational coherence that corresponds to a backward propagating wave [PRL, \underline {97}, 113001 (2006)]. The physics then has much in common with propagation of ultra-slow light. Applications of coherent scattering and remote sensing to the detection of bio and chemical pathogens (e.g., anthrax) via \underline {C}oherent \underline {A}nti-\underline {R}aman \underline {S}cattering together with \underline {F}emtosecond \underline {A}daptive \underline {S}pectroscopic \underline {T}echniques (FAST CARS [Opt. Comm., \underline {244}, 423 (2005)]) will be discussed. Furthermore, the interplay between quantum optics (Dicke super and sub-radiant states) and nuclear physics (forward scattering of $\gamma $ radiation) provides interesting problems and insights into the quantum control of scattered light [PRL, \underline {96}, 010501 (2005)].