Study of asymmetric multilayered structures by means of nonreciprocity in phases

We study symmetric and asymmetric stratified media with resonant absorbers to bring out the role of inversion symmetry and absorption. We show that both can be probed using the reflected fields for excitation of the structure from opposite sides. The phase asymmetry is shown to bear the signature of broken inversion symmetry in lossless systems, while losses in addition lead to the nonreciprocity in the intensity reflection coefficient. We demonstrate how reflected pulses from opposite ends can reveal both of the aspects through their shapes and delays. Moreover, we demonstrate a great flexibility in manipulating the pulse velocities mediated by the resonant atom-field interaction.