Noise Squeezing Research Articles

Strong microwave squeezing above 1 Tesla and 1 Kelvin.

Squeezed states of light have been used extensively to increase the precision of measurements, from the detection of gravitational waves to the search for dark matter. In the optical domain, high levels of vacuum noise squeezing are possible due to the availability of low loss optical components and high-performance squeezers. At microwave frequencies, however, limitations of the squeezing devices and the high insertion loss of microwave components make squeezing vacuum noise an exceptionally difficult task. Here we demonstrate direct measurements of high levels of microwave squeezing. We use an ultra-low loss setup and weakly-nonlinear kinetic inductance parametric amplifiers to squeeze microwave noise 7.8(2) dB below the vacuum level. The amplifiers exhibit a resilience to magnetic fields and permit the demonstration of large squeezing levels inside fields of up to 2 T. Finally, we exploit the high critical temperature of our amplifiers to squeeze a warm thermal environment, achieving vacuum level noise at a temperature of 1.8 K. These results enable experiments that combine squeezing with magnetic fields and permit quantum-limited microwave measurements at elevated temperatures, significantly reducing the complexity and cost of the cryogenic systems required for such experiments.

Bayesian optimization of Fisher Information in nonlinear multiresonant quantum photonics gyroscopes

Abstract We propose an on-chip gyroscope based on nonlinear multiresonant optics in a thin film χ (2) resonator that combines high sensitivity, compact form factor, and low power consumption simultaneously. We theoretically analyze a novel holistic metric – Fisher Information capacity of a multiresonant nonlinear photonic cavity – to fully characterize the sensitivity of our gyroscope under fundamental quantum noise conditions. Leveraging Bayesian optimization techniques, we directly maximize the nonlinear multiresonant Fisher Information. Our holistic optimization approach orchestrates a harmonious convergence of multiple physical phenomena – including noise squeezing, nonlinear wave mixing, nonlinear critical coupling, and noninertial signals – all encapsulated within a single sensor-resonator, thereby significantly augmenting sensitivity. We show that ∼ 470 × $\sim 470{\times}$ improvement is possible over the shot-noise limited linear gyroscope with the same footprint, intrinsic quality factors, and power budget.

Nonlinearity and Parametric Amplification of Superconducting Nanowire Resonators in Magnetic Field

Nonlinear superconducting devices, typically based on Josephson Junction (JJ) nonlinearities, are the basis for superconducting quantum electronics, enabling, e.g., the formation of isolated two-level superconducting qubits and amplifiers. While emerging spin, hybrid spin/superconducting (including Majorana), and nano-magneto-optical quantum systems could benefit tremendously from superconducting nonlinearities, the presence of strong magnetic fields in these systems are incompatible with conventional JJ devices, which are highly sensitive to applied magnetic fields. One potential solution is the use of kinetic inductance (KI) nonlinearity. To date, only linear kinetic inductance (KI) devices have been shown to operate in high magnetic fields, while nonlinear KI device operation in high magnetic fields has received virtually no attention. Here, we study the nonlinearity of superconducting nanowire (NW) KI resonators and their performance as parametric amplifiers for in-plane magnetic fields. We study the Kerr coefficients of NW KI resonators made from 10 nm-thin NbTiN films with characteristic impedance up to 3 k$\Omega$, and demonstrate both nondegenerate and degenerate parametric amplification, at magnetic fields up to 2 T, for the first time. We find that narrow KI resonators of width 0.1 $\mu$m are robust, in terms of gain, dynamic range and noise, to magnetic fields up to $\sim$2 T, while wider KI resonators of width 1 $\mu$m suffer significant suppression in the gain around at fields well below 2 T. Around 8 dB deamplification is observed for coherent states for a 0.1 $\mu$m KI resonator, implying the capability of noise squeezing. These results open a new pathway to developing nonlinear quantum devices that operate in or generate high magnetic fields such as spin, hybrid spin/superconducting, and magneto-opto-mechanical devices.

Protection of Noise Squeezing in a Quantum Interferometer with Optimal Resource Allocation.

Interferometers are crucial for precision measurements, including gravitational waves, laser ranging, radar, and imaging. The phase sensitivity, the core parameter, can be quantum-enhanced to break the standard quantum limit (SQL) using quantum states. However, quantum states are highly fragile and quickly degrade with losses. We design and demonstrate a quantum interferometer utilizing a beam splitter with a variable splitting ratio to protect the quantum resource against environmental impacts. The optimal phase sensitivity can reach the quantum Cramér-Rao bound of the system. This quantum interferometer can greatly reduce the quantum source requirements in quantum measurements. In theory, with a 66.6% loss rate, the sensitivity can break the SQL using only a 6.0dB squeezed quantum resource with the current interferometer rather than a 24dB squeezed quantum resource with a conventional squeezing-vacuum-injected Mach-Zehnder interferometer. In experiments, when using a 2.0dB squeezed vacuum state, the sensitivity enhancement remains at ∼1.6 dB via optimizing the first splitting ratio when the loss rate changes from 0% to 90%, indicating that the quantum resource is excellently protected with the existence of losses in practical applications. This strategy could open a way to retain quantum advantages for quantum information processing and quantum precision measurement in lossy environments.

Towards Quantum Noise Squeezing for 2-Micron Light with Tellurite and Chalcogenide Fibers with Large Kerr Nonlinearity

Squeezed light—nonclassical multiphoton states with fluctuations in one of the quadrature field components below the vacuum level—has found applications in quantum light spectroscopy, quantum telecommunications, quantum computing, precision quantum metrology, detecting gravitational waves, and biological measurements. At present, quantum noise squeezing with optical fiber systems operating in the range near 1.5 μm has been mastered relatively well, but there are no fiber sources of nonclassical squeezed light beyond this range. Silica fibers are not suitable for strong noise suppression for 2 µm continuous-wave (CW) light since their losses dramatically deteriorate the squeezed state of required lengths longer than 100 m. We propose the generation multiphoton states of 2-micron 10-W class CW light with squeezed quantum fluctuations stronger than −15 dB in chalcogenide and tellurite soft glass fibers with large Kerr nonlinearities. Using a realistic theoretical model, we numerically study squeezing for 2-micron light in step-index soft glass fibers by taking into account Kerr nonlinearity, distributed losses, and inelastic light scattering processes. Quantum noise squeezing stronger than −20 dB is numerically attained for a customized As2Se3 fibers with realistic parameters for the optimal fiber lengths shorter than 1 m. For commercial As2S3 and customized tellurite glass fibers, the expected squeezing in the −20–−15 dB range can be reached for fiber lengths of the order of 1 m.

Quantum Noise Squeezing for Optical Signals in Zinc-Tellurite Fibers

Quantum Noise Squeezing for Optical Signals in Zinc-Tellurite Fibers

Quantum noise squeezing of CW light in tellurite glass fibres

Light with suppressed quantum fluctuations is desirable for a lot of applications. There are several approaches to suppress a noise including Kerr squeezing in optical fibres. Silica fibres are commonly used for this purpose. Here we propose to use highly nonlinear tellurite glass fibres for Kerr squeezing of CW laser field and demonstrate by simulations in the framework of the stochastic generalized nonlinear Schrödinger equation the possibility of –20 dB noise suppression. In simulations, Raman terms and losses are switched on and switched off to find their contributions to the limits of squeezing. The analytical estimates without loss and with lumped loss are also given.

Spin-noise spectroscopy of a noise-squeezed atomic state

Spin noise spectroscopy is emerging as a powerful technique for studying the dynamics of various spin systems also beyond their thermal equilibrium and linear response. Here, we study spin fluctuations of room-temperature neutral atoms in a Bell-Bloom type magnetometer. Driven by indirect pumping and undergoing a parametric excitation, this system is known to produce noise-squeezing. Our measurements not only reveal a strong asymmetry in the noise distribution of the atomic signal quadratures at the magnetic resonance, but also provide insight into the mechanism behind its generation and evolution. In particular, a structure in the spectrum is identified which allows to investigate the main dependencies and the characteristic timescales of the noise process. The results obtained are compatible with parametrically induced noise squeezing. Notably, the noise spectrum provides information on the spin dynamics even in regimes where the macroscopic atomic coherence is lost, effectively enhancing the sensitivity of the measurements. Our work promotes spin noise spectroscopy as a versatile technique for the study of noise squeezing in a wide range of spin based magnetic sensors.

Numerical Simulations on Polarization Quantum Noise Squeezing for Ultrashort Solitons in Optical Fiber with Enlarged Mode Field Area

Broadband quantum noise suppression of light is required for many applications, including detection of gravitational waves, quantum sensing, and quantum communication. Here, using numerical simulations, we investigate the possibility of polarization squeezing of ultrashort soliton pulses in an optical fiber with an enlarged mode field area, such as large-mode area or multicore fibers (to scale up the pulse energy). Our model includes the second-order dispersion, Kerr and Raman effects, quantum noise, and optical losses. In simulations, we switch on and switch off Raman effects and losses to find their contribution to squeezing of optical pulses with different durations (0.1–1 ps). For longer solitons, the peak power is lower and a longer fiber is required to attain the same squeezing as for shorter solitons, when Raman effects and losses are neglected. In the full model, we demonstrate optimal pulse duration (~0.4 ps) since losses limit squeezing of longer pulses and Raman effects limit squeezing of shorter pulses.

Assessment of a standardized EEG reactivity protocol after cardiac arrest

ObjectiveReactivity assessment during EEG might provide important prognostic information in post-anoxic coma. It is still unclear how best to perform reactivity testing and how it might be affected by hypothermia. Our primary aim was to determine and compare the effectiveness, inter-rater reliability and prognostic value of different types of stimulus for EEG reactivity testing, using a standardized stimulation protocol and standardized definitions. Our secondary aims were to assess the effect of hypothermia on these measures, and to determine the prognostic value of a simplified sequence with the three most efficient stimuli. MethodsProspective single-center cohort of post-anoxic comatose patients admitted to the intensive care unit of an academic medical center between January 1, 2016 and December 31, 2018 and receiving continuous EEG monitoring (CEEG). Reactivity was assessed using standardized definitions and standardized sequence of stimuli: auditory (mild noise and loud noise), tactile (shaking), nociceptive (nostril tickling, trapezius muscle squeezing, endotracheal tube suctioning), and visual (passive eye opening). Gwet’s AC1 and percent agreement (PA) were used to measure inter-rater agreement (IRA). Ability to predict favorable neurological outcome (defined as a Cerebral Performance Category of 1 to 2: no disability to moderate disability) was measured with sensitivity (Se), specificity (Sp), accuracy, and odds ratio [OR]. These were calculated for each stimulus type and at the level of the entire sequence comprising all the stimuli. ResultsOne-hundred and fifteen patients were included and 242 EEG epochs were analyzed. Loud noise, shaking and trapezius muscle squeezing most frequently elicited EEG reactivity (42%, 38% and 38%, respectively) but were all inferior to the entire sequence, which elicited reactivity in 58% cases. The IRA for reactivity to individual stimuli varied from moderate to good (AC1:58–69%; PA:56–68%) and was the highest for loud noise (AC1:69%; PA:68%), trapezius muscle squeezing (AC1:67%; PA:65%) and passive eye opening (AC1:68%; PA:64%). Mild (odds ratio [OR]:11.0; Se:70% and Sp:86%) and loud noises (OR:27.0; Se:73% and Sp:75%), and trapezius muscle squeezing (OR:15.3; Se:76% and Sp:83%) during hypothermia had the best predictive value for favorable neurological outcome, although each was inferior to the whole sequence (OR:60.2; Se:91% and Sp:73%). A simplified sequence of loud noise, shaking and trapezius muscle squeezing had the same performance for predicting neurological outcome as the entire sequence. Hypothermia did not significantly affect the effectiveness of stimulation, but IRA was slightly better during hypothermia, for all stimuli. Similarly, the predictive value was higher during hypothermia than during normothermia. ConclusionsDespite a standardized stimulation protocol and standardized definitions, the IRA of EEG reactivity testing in post-anoxic comatose patients was only good at best (AC1 < 70%), and its predictive value for neurological outcome remained imperfect, in particular with Sp values < 90%. While no single stimulus appeared superior to others, a full sequence using all stimuli or a simplified sequence comprising loud noise, shaking and trapezius muscle squeezing had the best combination of IRA and predictive value. SignificanceThis study stresses the necessity to use multiple stimulus types to improve the predictive value of reactivity testing in post-anoxic coma and confirms that it is not affected by hypothermia.

Despite standardization of stimulation and of definition of reactivity, its interrater reliability is only moderate to good (Gwet's AC1:58 - 69%)

Hypothermia does not limit the predictive value of reactivity testing. A combination of loud noise, shaking and trapezius muscle squeezing had the best sensitivity for favorable outcome

Spectral narrowing of parametrically pumped thermomechanical noise

We derive the displacement noise spectrum of a parametrically pumped resonator below the onset for self-excited oscillations. We extend the fluctuation-dissipation response of a thermomechanical-noise-driven resonator to the case of degenerate parametric pumping as a function of pump magnitude and frequency while properly accounting for the quadrature-dependence of the parametric thermal noise squeezing. We use measurements with a microelectromechanical cantilever to corroborate our model.

Enhanced optical squeezing from quasi-bound states in the continuum and Fano resonances without nonlinearity

To achieve a high degree of quantum noise squeezing, nonlinear optical interaction process is often employed. Here, we propose to utilize quasi-bound states in the continuum (quasi-BICs) and Fano resonances to enhance optical squeezing without nonlinearity. The theory of quantization for electromagnetic fields in the periodic nanostructure with dispersion and absorption has been developed by means of the Green’s function technique with the plane wave expansion method. The quasi-BICs and Fano resonances of radiation modes are realized by designing the photonic crystal slab structure. Based on these quasi-BICs and Fano resonances, we demonstrate that strong squeezed states can be realized by using the balanced homodyne detection scheme. The squeezing degree can be improved by more than 14 times when a weak squeezed states passes through the structure with quasi-BICs and Fano resonances. The advantage of this method is that it is not only efficient but also easy to implement because the nonlinear optical processes are not employed, which is very beneficial for the quantum information processing and precision metrology.

Logic NOT gates of the intensity–noise correlation and squeezing in a diamond nitrogen-vacancy center

Color defects in a diamond nitrogen-vacancy (NV) center represent an important physical system for emergent quantum technologies such as logic gates and registers at room temperature. We realized an optical logic NOT gate by inducing a phase shift in a diamond NV center under nonlinear Kerr effect of spontaneous parametric four-wave mixing (SP-FWM). Also, we discussed the intensity–noise correlation and intensity-difference squeezing of SP-FWM and composite signals (SP-FWM+fluorescence) under self-phase modulation (SPM) and cross-phase modulation (XPM) induced by the nonlinear Kerr effect in V-type and double V-type atomic systems. Our experimental results provide an advanced technique of switching contrast by approximately 90%. Different parameters, such as the power of input laser beam and boxcar gate position, were also configured to control the SPM and XPM, which determine the switching phenomenon for correlation and squeezing.

Parametric effects in circuit quantum electrodynamics

We review recent advances in the research on quantum parametric phenomena in superconducting circuits with Josephson junctions. We discuss physical processes in parametrically driven tunable cavity and outline theoretical foundations for their description. Amplification and frequency conversion are discussed in detail for degenerate and nondegenerate parametric resonance, including quantum noise squeezing and photon entanglement. Experimental advances in this area played decisive role in successful development of quantum limited parametric amplifiers for superconducting quantum information technology. We also discuss nonlinear down-conversion processes and experiments on self-sustained parametric and subharmonic oscillations.

Parametric Amplification and Noise Squeezing in Room Temperature Atomic Vapors.

We report on the use of parametric excitation to coherently manipulate the collective spin state of an atomic vapor at room temperature. Signatures of the parametric excitation are detected in the ground-state spin evolution. These include the excitation spectrum of the atomic coherences, which contains resonances at frequencies characteristic of the parametric process. The amplitudes of the signal quadratures show amplification and attenuation, and their noise distribution is characterized by a strong asymmetry, similar to those observed in mechanical oscillators. The parametric excitation is produced by periodic modulation of the pumping beam, exploiting a Bell-Bloom-like technique widely used in atomic magnetometry. Notably, we find that the noise squeezing obtained by this technique enhances the signal-to-noise ratio of the measurements up to a factor of 10, and improves the performance of a Bell-Bloom magnetometer by a factor of 3.

Optical temperature sensor and switch controlled by competition between phonon and polarization dressing in Pr3+:YSO

We explore the alteration that occurs in Autler–Townes (AT) splitting caused by the competition of phonon intensity and polarized dressing fields in second-order fluorescence (FL) signals in both the spectral and the time domain. By varying the polarization dressing along with temperature, we control the AT-splitting of the FL signal. Furthermore, we analyze the noise correlation and squeezing of spontaneous four-wave mixing (SP-FWM) to investigate the effect of phonon and polarized dressing fields. These results are applied for optical temperature sensors and switching devices, which can be controlled by the competition between phonon and polarization dressing. Optical temperature sensor sensitivity and switching speeds are 96% and 15 ns, respectively.

Semi-analytic modeling of FWM noise in QAM Nyquist-WDM system with phase-conjugated twin waves

Abstract Nonlinear models previously reported for coherent optical fiber transmission have been used to explain the mechanism of nonlinear noise squeezing by phase-conjugated twin waves (PCTW) scheme, but the reduction of four-wave-mixing (FWM) noise by the nonlinearity mitigation method cannot be directly derived from these models for a quasi-symmetric dispersion map, especially when the effect of walk-off between channels is included. Semi-analytic models based on a statistical method are derived herein order to quantify the reduction of FWM noise for quadrature amplitude modulation (QAM) PCTW Nyquist-WDM systems. Our models derived here show that the variance of non-degenerate FWM noise is irrelevant to the number of signal points within a QAM constellation diagram, as is different from the degenerate FWM case. Numerical results by using our models show that even though the effect of walk-off is included, the PCTW scheme is still greatly effective to reduce the impact of FWM noise for a quasi-symmetric map. The performances of central channel for two cases of 16QAM PCTW Nyquist-WDM systems with same total spectral bandwidth and spectral efficiency, 16-channel 32-Gbaud/ch and 32-channel 16-Gbaud/ch, are numerically compared by using our models

Squeezed cooling of mechanical motion beyond the resolved-sideband limit

Cavity optomechanics provides a unique platform for controlling micromechanical systems by means of optical fields that cross the classical-quantum boundary to achieve solid foundations for quantum technologies. Currently, optomechanical resonators have become promising candidates for the development of precisely controlled nano-motors, ultrasensitive sensors and robust quantum information processors. For all these applications, a crucial requirement is to cool the mechanical resonators down to their quantum ground states. In this paper, we present a novel cooling scheme to further cool a micromechanical resonator via the noise squeezing effect. One quadrature in such a resonator can be squeezed to induce enhanced fluctuations in the other, “heated” quadrature, which can then be used to cool the mechanical motion via conventional optomechanical coupling. Our theoretical analysis and numerical calculations demonstrate that this squeeze-and-cool mechanism offers a quick technique for deeply cooling a macroscopic mechanical resonator to an unprecedented temperature region below the zero-point fluctuations.

Parametric excitation of a SiN membrane via piezoelectricity

We develop a stoichiometric silicon nitride (SiN) membrane-based electromechanical system, in which the spring constant of the mechanical resonator can be dynamically controlled via piezoelectric actuation. The degenerate parametric amplifier is studied in this configuration. We observe the splitting of mechanical mode in the response spectra of a phase-sensitive parametric amplifier. In addition, we demonstrate that the quality factor Q of the membrane oscillator can be significantly enhanced by more than two orders of magnitude due to the coherent amplification, reaching an effective Q factor of ∼3 × 108 at room temperature. The nonlinear effect on the parametric amplification is also investigated, as well as the thermomechanical noise squeezing. This system offers the possibility to integrate electrical, optical and mechanical degrees of freedom without compromising the exceptional material properties of SiN membranes, and can be a useful platform for studying cavity optoelectromechanics.