[en] We experimentally demonstrate the conversion of a Gaussian beam to an approximate Bessel–Gauss mode by making use of a non-collinear four-wave mixing (4WM) process in hot atomic vapor. The presence of a strong, spatially non-Gaussian pump both converts the probe beam into a non-Gaussian mode, and generates a conjugate beam that is in a similar non-Gaussian mode. The resulting probe and conjugate modes are compared to the output of a Gaussian beam incident on an annular aperture that is then spatially filtered according to the phase-matching conditions imposed by the 4WM process. We find that the resulting experimental data agrees well with both numerical simulations, as well as analytical formulae describing the effects of annular apertures on Gaussian modes. These results show that spatially multimode gain platforms may be used as a new method of mode conversion. (paper)

[en] We use the quantum correlations of twin beams of light to investigate the fundamental addition of noise when one of the beams propagates through a fast-light medium based on phase-insensitive gain. The experiment is based on two successive four-wave mixing processes in rubidium vapor, which allow for the generation of bright two-mode-squeezed twin beams followed by a controlled advancement while maintaining the shared quantum correlations between the beams. The demonstrated effect allows the study of irreversible decoherence in a medium exhibiting anomalous dispersion, and for the first time shows the advancement of a bright nonclassical state of light. The advancement and corresponding degradation of the quantum correlations are found to be operating near the fundamental quantum limit imposed by using a phase-insensitive amplifier. (paper)