Squeezed light at 1550 nm with a quantum noise reduction of 12.3 dB

TL;DR

This paper demonstrates a stable, high-level 12.3 dB squeezed light source at 1550 nm, suitable for gravitational wave detection, advancing quantum noise reduction technology at this wavelength.

Contribution

We achieved a record 12.3 dB squeezing at 1550 nm using a novel resonator, surpassing previous noise suppression levels at this wavelength.

Findings

12.3 dB squeezing at 5 MHz achieved

Squeezing observed down to 2 kHz

Potential for gravitational wave detection applications

Abstract

Continuous-wave squeezed states of light at the wavelength of 1550 nm have recently been demonstrated, but so far the obtained factors of noise suppression still lag behind today's best squeezing values demonstrated at 1064 nm. Here we report on the realization of a half-monolithic nonlinear resonator based on periodically-poled potassium titanyl phosphate which enabled the direct detection of up to 12.3 dB of squeezing at 5 MHz. Squeezing was observed down to a frequency of 2 kHz which is well within the detection band of gravitational wave interferometers. Our results suggest that a long-term stable 1550 nm squeezed light source can be realized with strong squeezing covering the entire detection band of a 3rd generation gravitational-wave detector such as the Einstein Telescope.