  We observe collective quantum spin states of an ensemble of atoms in a
one-dimensional light-atom interface. Strings of hundreds of cesium atoms
trapped in the evanescent fiel of a tapered nanofiber are prepared in a
coherent spin state, a superposition of the two clock states. A weak quantum
nondemolition measurement of one projection of the collective spin is performed
using a detuned probe dispersively coupled to the collective atomic observable,
followed by a strong destructive measurement of the same spin projection. For
the coherent spin state we achieve the value of the quantum projection noise 40
dB above the detection noise, well above the 3 dB required for reconstruction
of the negative Wigner function of nonclassical states. We analyze the effects
of strong spatial inhomogeneity inherent to atoms trapped and probed by the
evanescent waves. We furthermore study temporal dynamics of quantum
fluctuations relevant for measurement-induced spin squeezing and assess the
impact of thermal atomic motion. This work paves the road towards observation
of spin squeezed and entangled states and many-body interactions in 1D spin
ensembles.
