Challenges
Datasets
Workspaces
Papers
Discussions
Leaderboard
Log inSign up
Challenges
Datasets
Workspaces
Papers
Discussions
Leaderboard
Blog
Job Board
Q3AS

© 2026 Aqora Quantum S.A.S.

TermsPrivacyLegal Notice

Physical Review Letters

Observation of high-intensity sub-Poissonian light using an optical parametric oscillator

Jerome C. Mertz, A. Heidmann, Claude Fabre, E. Giacobino, Serge Reynaud

Published Jun 11, 1990• 101 citations
Publisher

Abstract

We report the observation of high-intensity sub-Poissonian light using the correlated ``twin'' beams generated by an optical parametric oscillator. The intensity fluctuations in one of these beams are reduced by a feedforward correction mechanism that monitors the intensity of the second beam. The observed reduction in noise power is up to 24% below the shot-noise limit.

DOI
10.1103/physrevlett.64.2897

Related papers

Observation of Quantum Noise Reduction on Twin Laser Beams

A. Heidmann, R. J. Horowicz, Serge Reynaud +3 more

We have used a two-mode optical parametric oscillator operating above threshold to generate high-intensity twin beams which exhibit quantum correlations. The noise power measured on the intensity difference between two such beams is reduced by 30% below the shot-noise limit. Noise reduction is observed over a broad range of frequencies.

Physical Review Letters•Nov 30, 1987•635 citations

Generation of sub-Poissonian light using active control with twin beams

Jerome C. Mertz, A. Heidmann, Claude Fabre

We present a general theory for intensity noise reduction when one beam of light is used to control another. We use a semiclassical input-output formalism and determine the conditions necessary for noise reduction below the shot-noise level. Configurations are examined where the intensity of one beam is monitored and control is effected directly to the other beam (feedforward), or indirectly through the beam source (feedback). The results are applied to the case of twin beams generated by an optical parametric oscillator. We detail for this system the implementation of an electro-optic control channel. Finally, a comparison is made between theory and experiment.

Physical Review A•Sep 1, 1991•35 citations

Sub-shot-noise high-sensitivity spectroscopy with optical parametric oscillator twin beams

P. H. Souto Ribeiro, Catherine Schwob, Agnès Maître +1 more

Nondegenerate optical parametric oscillators generate above-threshold signal and idler beams that have intensity fluctuations correlated at the quantum level (twin beams). We describe what is to our knowledge the first high-sensitivity spectroscopy experiment using twin beams emitted by a cw optical parametric oscillator: a very weak two-photon absorption signal, in the 10(-7) range, is recorded on the 4S(1/2)-5S(1/2) transition of atomic potassium with a noise background that is reduced by 1.9 dB with respect to the shot-noise limit of the light used in the experiment.

Optics Letters•Dec 15, 1997•119 citations

Generation of intensity-correlated twin beams using series-coupled semiconductor lasers

Gunnar G. Bjork

The low-frequency intensity noise of high-quantum-efficiency lasers or light-emitting diodes (LED's) is dominated by the pump noise. By coupling two or more semiconductor lasers (or LED's) in series with a current source, the pump noise of the two lasers will be equal, and the intensity noise of the lasers will be highly correlated. It is shown that one may generate sub-Poissonian light by measuring the intensity fluctuations of one of the beams and feeding back (or forward) the information to regulate the other photon beam. The generation scheme is shown to have much in common with intensity-correlated twin beam generation from nondegenerate optical parametric oscillators.

Physical Review A•Jun 1, 1992•17 citations

Twin beams, squeezed light, and their uses

E. Giacobino, Jerome C. Mertz, Claude Fabre +2 more

In recent years, several experiments have established the optical parametric oscillator (OPO) as a practical source of highly correlated twin beams. These beams have an intensity difference noise substantially below the associated shot noise, for noise frequencies within the OPO cavity bandwidth. They present the additional feature of being laserlike and intense, making them convenient for experimental applications. Refinements on our OPO characteristics and photodiode efficiencies have yielded a reduction of the noise power in the intensity difference of 86% below the shot noise level.1 A first use of twin beams is the production of a single light beam having an intensity squeezed noise. This can be achieved by monitoring the intensity of one beam with a photodiode and using this information to control the intensity fluctuations of the second beam with an electrooptic modulator.2 Other applications to high sensitivity spectroscopic measurements such as linear and nonlinear absorption or dispersion can now be considered for practical use.

Annual Meeting Optical Society of America•Jan 1, 1991•0 citations

Preparation and measurement of tunable high-power sub-Poissonian light using twin beams

Hongxin Zou, Shuqin Zhai, Juan Guo +2 more

Widely frequency tunable bright sub-Poissonian field preparation has been experimentally achieved with quantum-correlated twin beams in the continuously variable regime. The noise of the sub-Poissonian field is reduced to more than 2 dB below the shot-noise level throughout the entire wavelength-tunable range of 7.4 nm. A maximum noise reduction of 45% (2.6 dB) is observed. The statistical distribution of a sub-Poissonian field is also obtained.

Optics Letters•May 10, 2006•11 citations
We report the observation of high-intensity sub-Poissonian light using the correlated ``twin'' beams generated by an optical parametric oscillator. The intensity fluctuations in one of these beams are reduced by a feedforward correction mechanism that monitors the intensity of the second beam. The observed reduction in noise power is up to 24% below the shot-noise limit.
We present a general theory for intensity noise reduction when one beam of light is used to control another. We use a semiclassical input-output formalism and determine the conditions necessary for noise reduction below the shot-noise level. Configurations are examined where the intensity of one beam is monitored and control is effected directly to the other beam (feedforward), or indirectly through the beam source (feedback). The results are applied to the case of twin beams generated by an optical parametric oscillator. We detail for this system the implementation of an electro-optic control channel. Finally, a comparison is made between theory and experiment.
Nondegenerate optical parametric oscillators generate above-threshold signal and idler beams that have intensity fluctuations correlated at the quantum level (twin beams). We describe what is to our knowledge the first high-sensitivity spectroscopy experiment using twin beams emitted by a cw optical parametric oscillator: a very weak two-photon absorption signal, in the 10(-7) range, is recorded on the 4S(1/2)-5S(1/2) transition of atomic potassium with a noise background that is reduced by 1.9 dB with respect to the shot-noise limit of the light used in the experiment.
The low-frequency intensity noise of high-quantum-efficiency lasers or light-emitting diodes (LED's) is dominated by the pump noise. By coupling two or more semiconductor lasers (or LED's) in series with a current source, the pump noise of the two lasers will be equal, and the intensity noise of the lasers will be highly correlated. It is shown that one may generate sub-Poissonian light by measuring the intensity fluctuations of one of the beams and feeding back (or forward) the information to regulate the other photon beam. The generation scheme is shown to have much in common with intensity-correlated twin beam generation from nondegenerate optical parametric oscillators.
In recent years, several experiments have established the optical parametric oscillator (OPO) as a practical source of highly correlated twin beams. These beams have an intensity difference noise substantially below the associated shot noise, for noise frequencies within the OPO cavity bandwidth. They present the additional feature of being laserlike and intense, making them convenient for experimental applications. Refinements on our OPO characteristics and photodiode efficiencies have yielded a reduction of the noise power in the intensity difference of 86% below the shot noise level.1 A first use of twin beams is the production of a single light beam having an intensity squeezed noise. This can be achieved by monitoring the intensity of one beam with a photodiode and using this information to control the intensity fluctuations of the second beam with an electrooptic modulator.2 Other applications to high sensitivity spectroscopic measurements such as linear and nonlinear absorption or dispersion can now be considered for practical use.