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Optics Letters

Polarization-dependent noise in photon-number squeezed light generated by quantum-well lasers

Daniel C. Kilper, Richard R. Craig, Don R. Scifres, Duncan G. Steel

Published Aug 15, 1996• 31 citations
Publisher

Abstract

Amplitude noise spectra from the nonclassical output of an injection-locked low-temperature quantum-well laser analyzed along orthogonal polarization axes reveals correlated polarization-dependent noise. Using polarization-preserving balanced homodyne detection to suppress these effects, we demonstrate photon-number fluctuations 4.5 dB below the semiclassical shot-noise limit (within 95% of the expected squeezing based on the device efficiency). Polarization mixing through birefringent components and, more significantly, correlated fluctuations originating in the laser gain medium are shown to account for the observations.

DOI
10.1364/ol.21.001283

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Proceedings of SPIE, the International Society for Optical Engineering/Proceedings of SPIE•Apr 26, 1995•3 citations
Amplitude noise spectra from the nonclassical output of an injection-locked low-temperature quantum-well laser analyzed along orthogonal polarization axes reveals correlated polarization-dependent noise. Using polarization-preserving balanced homodyne detection to suppress these effects, we demonstrate photon-number fluctuations 4.5 dB below the semiclassical shot-noise limit (within 95% of the expected squeezing based on the device efficiency). Polarization mixing through birefringent components and, more significantly, correlated fluctuations originating in the laser gain medium are shown to account for the observations.
In this dissertation measurements are presented that extend our understanding of the important noise processes involved in the semiconductor laser generation of photon-number squeezed light. Strong sub-shot noise correlations between photon-number fluctuations on orthogonal polarization axes are observed in the output of a low temperature injection-locked quantum-well laser. Such polarization dependent effects are accounted for by intrinsic correlations generated in the laser gain medium and polarization mixing due to birefringence. Using polarization preserving balanced homodyne detection, up to 4.5 dB of photon-number squeezing is reported, which is within 95% of the expected maximum squeezing based on the device quantum efficiency. The work in this dissertation demonstrates the application of such nonclassical fields to practical measurements that achieve sub-shot noise sensitivity. Coherent nonlinear optical spectroscopy with a photon-number squeezed probe field is used to measure the Urbach tail and exciton resonances in a GaAs/AlGaAs multiple quantum well with sensitivity below the semiclassical shot-noise limit. Direct drive current modulation of an injection-locked room temperature laser results in a nonclassical amplitude modulated field with a signal to noise ratio that exceeds the maximum ratio permitted for a classical source under equivalent modulation conditions.
The polarization-dependent photon-number squeezing of 1.5 dB from a grating feedback locking quantum-well laser in a cryostat has been experimentally detected with a balanced homodyne detector including an imperfect nonpolarized-beam splitter. The great influence of the birefringence induced at low temperature on the determination of the shot-noise-limit and on the detection of photon-number squeezing is discussed in detail. Birefringence is compensated for by insertion of a half-wave plate of adjustable inclination into the output beam before the polarization components of the optical system.
Amplitude-squeezed light has been generated by semiconductor quantum well lasers in numerous optical configurations, at both room and cryogenic temperatures. Various intensity noise sources associated with nonideal laser operation, in particular mode partition and polarization-dependent noise, can introduce intensity fluctuations that limit or remove amplitude squeezing. We discuss amplitude noise reduction in low-temperature free-running and injection-locking laser configurations and room-temperature injection locking and external-cavity laser configurations. Drive-current modulation with a nonclassical SNR improvement is achieved with an injection-locked laser.