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

Absorption Spectroscopy beyond the Shot-Noise Limit

Alistair S. Lane, M. D. Reid, Daniel F. Walls

Published May 9, 1988• 35 citations
Publisher

Abstract

A novel absorption spectrometer where an absorber is placed in one beam of a parametric oscillator is described. The sensitivity is not shot-noise limited and may be enhanced by the operation of the parametric oscillator close to threshold.
DOI
10.1103/physrevlett.60.1940

Related papers

High-power, visible-wavelength twin-beam correlations from four-wave mixing : for practical applications in absorption spectroscopy and imaging beyond the shot-noise limit

Jason D. Mueller

•Jan 1, 2020•0 citations

High Frequency Optical Heterodyne Spectroscopy

M. Ducloy, J. J. Snyder

The progress over the last few years in the field of sub-Doppler saturated absorption spectroscopy has been greatly assisted by the development of new techniques for increasing sensitivity1-5. For many laboratory situations it is now routinely possible to achieve signal-to-noise ratios and sensitivities very near the quantum limit imposed by the fundamental statistical fluctuations (shot noise) of the probe laser beam.

Proceedings of SPIE, the International Society for Optical Engineering/Proceedings of SPIE•Oct 19, 1983•1 citation

Ultrasensitive Absorption Spectroscopy

Julien Mandon, Frans J. M. Harren

Absorption spectroscopy limited only by quantum noise has been demonstrated over a broad frequency range using laser frequency combs.

Physics•Nov 28, 2011•1 citation

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

Quantum limits and robustness of nonlinear intracavity absorption spectroscopy

John K. Stockton, Ari K. Tuchman

We investigate the limits of intracavity absorption spectroscopy with nonlinear media. Using a common theoretical framework, we compare the detection of a trace gas within (i) an undriven cavity with gain near and above threshold; (ii) a driven cavity with gain kept just below threshold; and (iii) a cavity driven close to the saturation point of a saturable absorber. These phase-transition-based metrology methods are typically quantum limited by spontaneous emission, and we compare them to the empty-cavity shot-noise-limited case. Although the fundamental limits achievable with nonlinear media do not surpass the empty-cavity limits, we show that nonlinear methods are more robust against certain technical noise models. This recognition may have applications in spectrometer design for devices operating in nonideal field environments.

arXiv:0810.4209•Physical Review A•Jan 27, 2009•2 citations

Viewpoint: Ultrasensitive Absorption Spectroscopy

Julien Mandon, Frans J. M. Harren

Absorption spectroscopy limited only by quantum noise has been demonstrated over a broad frequency range using laser frequency combs.

•Nov 28, 2011•0 citations
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.
We investigate the limits of intracavity absorption spectroscopy with nonlinear media. Using a common theoretical framework, we compare the detection of a trace gas within (i) an undriven cavity with gain near and above threshold; (ii) a driven cavity with gain kept just below threshold; and (iii) a cavity driven close to the saturation point of a saturable absorber. These phase-transition-based metrology methods are typically quantum limited by spontaneous emission, and we compare them to the empty-cavity shot-noise-limited case. Although the fundamental limits achievable with nonlinear media do not surpass the empty-cavity limits, we show that nonlinear methods are more robust against certain technical noise models. This recognition may have applications in spectrometer design for devices operating in nonideal field environments.