Preparation of macroscopic superpositions in many-atom systems

Abstract

We propose a technique to prepare two or more atoms in certain entangled states, based on the interaction of the atoms with a cavity mode. After the atomic state is prepared, the cavity mode is left in the vacuum state, so dissipation does not affect the generated entangled states. These states could be used for improved tests that challenge local realistic theories, and to examine related phenomena, which, thus far, have been realized only with photons.