Four modes of optical parametric operation for squeezed state generation

We report a versatile instrument, based on a monolithic optical parametric amplifier, which reliably generates four different types of squeezed light. We obtained vacuum squeezing, low power amplitude squeezing, phase squeezing and bright amplitude squeezing. We show a complete analysis of this light, including a full quantum state tomography. In addition we demonstrate the direct detection of the squeezed state statistics without the aid of a spectrum analyser. This technique makes the nonclassical properties directly visible and allows complete measurement of the statistical moments of the squeezed quadrature.Received: 10 March 2003, Published online: 26 August 2003PACS: 42.50.Dv Nonclassical states of the electromagnetic field, including entangled photon states; quantum state engineering and measurementsU.L. Andersen: Present address: Institute of Optics, Information and Photonics, Max-Planck Research Group, University of Erlangen-Nuernberg, 91058 Erlangen, Germany.