Generation of squeezed states on reflection of light from a system of free electrons

The statistical characteristics of an electromagnetic wave reflected from a system of successive free-electron mirrors are investigated. Such a configuration of the electron stream is characteristic in particular for free-electron lasers, An expresson is obtained for the squeeze factor of the field of the reflected wave, and the optimal geometric configuration of the system of electrons is found. Numerical estimates show that the squeezing can be substantial when the number of electronic mirrors is large. (C) 1996 American Institute of Physics.