Some features of parametric conversion of infrared radiation in a system generating a difference frequency

A fluctuation theory is developed for the parametric conversion of infrared radiation utilizing four-photon difference frequency generation processes. An analysis is made of some features of optical parametric oscillation in this system allowing for sum frequency generation. Parametric "conversion" of quantum fluctuations to the frequency range of the infrared signal is discussed and it is shown that this effect increases the noise level.