GENERATION OF STRONGLY SQUEEZED CONTINUOUS-WAVE LIGHT AT 1064 NM

A compact and efficient source of amplitude-squeezed light is describe d. It employs a semi-monolithic degenerate MgO:LiNbO3 optical parametr ic amplifier pumped by a frequency-doubled Nd:YAG laser at 532 nm. Inj ection-seeding of the amplifier by a 1064 nm wave permits active stabi lization of the cavity length and stable operation. At a pump power of 380 mW, a maximum noise reduction of 6.5 dB in the amplitude fluctuat ions of the 0.2 mW 1064 nm wave was detected. The average detected noi se reduction in continuous operation over 14 minutes was 6.2 dB. Takin g the detection efficiency into account, this corresponds to a squeezi ng of 7.2 dB in the emitted wave. (C) 1998 Optical Society of America.