Abstract
We systematically studied slow light (SL) and stored light in the presence of a static magnetic field, either parallel to or transverse to the direction of light propagation. The theoretical calculations are in good agreement with the measured data, and paves the way for determining the information of optical density, coupling Rabi frequency, and ground state population distribution of a system. We also observed an unexpected double-peak profile in the output of SL and the retrieved signal of stored light under a large transverse magnetic field. Our work provides a better understanding in the studies of SL and storage of light. © 2013 Optical Society of America.