Experimental studies of squeezed-state generation by four-wave mixing in an optical cavity.

31 October 1986

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Wideband squeezing below the vacuum noise level has been observed in light generated by four-wave mixing due to Na atoms in an optical cavity. The noise in the quadrature components was measured using a balanced homodyne detector. Here our observations are compared with the predictions of a wideband phenomenological model of the four-wave mixer and the detection system. 

Various noise sources which limit the degree of squeezing observed have been identified. Work is progress to reduce these noise sources.