Photon-number squeezing in nano- and microlasers

Based on theoretical predictions on the appearance of antibunching before the laser threshold at the nano- and microscale, we analyze the amount of photon-number squeezing naturally produced in the laser emission. Up to 3 dB photon number noise reduction is obtained in comparison with the coherent emission, with output power in the range of pW and with negligible effects due to pump fluctuations. The scheme requires a moderately high Q cavity and holds promise for the construction of a simple and effective photon-number squeezed source.