Decoherence in Bose-Einstein condensates: Towards bigger and better Schrödinger cats

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Abstract
We consider a quantum superposition of Bose-Einstein condensates (BEC’s) in two immiscible internal states. A decoherence rate for the resulting Schrödinger cat is calculated and shown to be a significant threat to this macroscopic quantum superposition of BEC’s. An experimental scenario is outlined where the decoherence rate due to the thermal cloud is dramatically reduced thanks to trap engineering and “symmetrization” of the environment, which allow the Schrödinger cat to be an approximate pointer state.