Quantum Light from a Whispering Gallery Mode Disk Resonator

Abstract

Optical parametric downconversion has proven to be a valuable source of nonclassical light. The process is inherently able to produce twin beam correlations along with individual intensity squeezing of either parametric beam, when pumped far above threshold. Here, we present for the first time the direct observation of intensity squeezing of -1.2 dB of each of the individual parametric beams in parametric downconversion by use of a high quality whispering gallery mode disk resonator. In addition we observed twin beam quantum correlations of -2.7 dB with this cavity. Such resonators feature strong optical confinement, and offer tunable coupling to an external optical field. This work exemplifies the potential of crystalline whispering gallery mode resonators in quantum and nonlinear optics and in particular for the generation of quantum light. The simplicity of this device makes the application of quantum light in various fields highly feasible.