Squeezing with chi((2)) for atomic physics and spectroscopy

Parametric downconversion in chi((2)) media has, so far, proved to be the most effective way of generating squeezed light. The development of frequency-tunable sources of such nonclassical light opens up novel possibilities in atomic physics and spectroscopy. A brief overview of the results in this area of quantum optics is given, and a new experiment aimed on subshot-noise measurement of atomic orientation is described. We report a preliminary 5 dB quantum noise reduction observed directly around the 917 nm Cs line. We introduce a figure of merit for the chi((2)) medium utilized for squeezed light generation in an optical parametric oscillator and evaluate some available nonlinear media from this perspective.