Squeezing in Bose–Einstein condensates with large numbers of atoms

Abstract

We examine the feasibility of creating and measuring large relative number squeezing in multicomponent trapped Bose–Einstein condensates. In the absence of multimode effects, this squeezing can be arbitrarily large for arbitrarily large condensates, but a range of processes limit the measurable squeezing in realistic trap configurations. We examine these processes, and suggest methods to mitigate them. We conclude that high levels of squeezing with large numbers of atoms is feasible, but can realistically only be achieved in particular trap geometries. We also introduce a method of maximizing the measurable squeezing by using a π-pulse during the process to improve spatial mode-matching.