title: Generation and detection of a sub-Poissonian atom number distribution in a one-dimensional optical lattice.
abstract: We demonstrate preparation and detection of an atom number distribution in a one-dimensional atomic lattice with the variance -14  dB below the Poissonian noise level. A mesoscopic ensemble containing a few thousand atoms is trapped in the evanescent field of a nanofiber. The atom number is measured through dual-color homodyne interferometry with a pW-power shot noise limited probe. Strong coupling of the evanescent probe guided by the nanofiber allows for a real-time measurement with a precision of ±8  atoms on an ensemble of some 10(3)  atoms in a one-dimensional trap. The method is very well suited for generating collective atomic entangled or spin-squeezed states via a quantum nondemolition measurement as well as for tomography of exotic atomic states in a one-dimensional lattice.
authors.affiliation: QUANTOP, Niels Bohr Institute, University of Copenhagen, Blegdamsvej 17, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark.
authors.forename: J-B
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: Béguin
authors.affiliation: QUANTOP, Niels Bohr Institute, University of Copenhagen, Blegdamsvej 17, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark.
authors.forename: E M
authors.initials: EM
authors.lastname: Bookjans
authors.affiliation: QUANTOP, Niels Bohr Institute, University of Copenhagen, Blegdamsvej 17, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark.
authors.forename: S L
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Christensen
authors.affiliation: QUANTOP, Niels Bohr Institute, University of Copenhagen, Blegdamsvej 17, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark.
authors.forename: H L
authors.initials: HL
authors.lastname: Sørensen
authors.affiliation: QUANTOP, Niels Bohr Institute, University of Copenhagen, Blegdamsvej 17, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark.
authors.forename: J H
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Müller
authors.affiliation: QUANTOP, Niels Bohr Institute, University of Copenhagen, Blegdamsvej 17, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark.
authors.forename: E S
authors.initials: ES
authors.lastname: Polzik
authors.affiliation: QUANTOP, Niels Bohr Institute, University of Copenhagen, Blegdamsvej 17, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Appel