  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 $\pm 8$ 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
non-demolition measurement as well as for tomography of exotic atomic states in
a one-dimensional lattice.
