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Ultrastrong quantum squeezing mediated by plasma waves

Kenan Qu* and Nathaniel J. Fisch

  • *Contact author: kq@princeton.edu
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Phys. Rev. E 114, L053201 – Published 4 November, 2026

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1103/c4r9-jsw7

Abstract

Quantum squeezed states are crucial for advancing precision measurement and exploring quantum optics, but their generation is constrained by the damage threshold of conventional solid-state media. We propose a new paradigm using fully ionized plasma to overcome this limitation. The method uses plasma waves to mediate four-wave mixing, generating quantum-correlated photon pairs in a two-mode squeezed state. Our model predicts that this method could ideally achieve 40 dB squeezing using 1016Wcm−2 pumps, with remarkable resilience to thermal noise. By circumventing material breakdown, this plasma-based platform enables squeezing at near-kW-level peak power and is scalable to shorter wavelengths, suggesting potential applications in strong-field QED and x-ray quantum optics.

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Phys. Rev. E 114, L053201– Published 4 November, 2026
  • Received 16 July 2025
  • Accepted 22 October 2026
Article part of CHORUS
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