Cavity degenerate-parametric-amplifier and cavity four-wave-mixing configurations capable of producing a large amount of squeezing near the threshold of oscillation are discussed. Cavities allow one to reduce the pump power delivered to the gain medium, or to select a gain medium which has less gain per unit length, but may be better suited for squeezed-state production in other respects.

• Received 7 July 1983

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevA.29.408