Squeezing of pulses in a nonlinear interferometer

Abstract

A symmetric nonlinear Mach–Zehnder interferometer containing a Kerr medium performs the operation of squeezing. The operation is performed by the interference of cotraveling waves, and the pump wave is removed. This mechanism is broadband. We analyze the operation of the interferometer and determine the degree of shot-noise reduction achieved in a balanced detector. A modification of the interferometer into a fiber ring reflector is described that accomplishes the squeezing and the pump separation.