Spatial multiplexing of squeezed light by coherence diffusion

Abstract: Spatially splitting nonclassical light beams is in principle prohibited due to noise contamination during beam splitting. We propose a platform based on thermal motion of atoms to realize spatial multiplexing of squeezed light. Light channels of separate spatial modes in an anti-relaxation coated vapor cell share the same long-lived atomic coherence jointly created by all channels through the coherent diffusion of atoms which in turn enhances individual channel's nonlinear process responsible for light squeezing. Consequently, it behaves as squeezed light in one optical channel transferring to other distant channels even with laser powers below the threshold for squeezed light generation. An array of squeezed light beams was created with low laser power $\sim\text{mW}$. This approach holds great promise for applications in multi-node quantum network and quantum enhanced technologies such as quantum imaging and sensing.