A high-accuracy algorithm for designing arbitrary holographic atom traps

TL;DR

This paper introduces a new iterative Fourier-transform algorithm that creates highly accurate holograms for arbitrary 2D intensity profiles, significantly improving precision over existing methods, with potential applications in holographic atom traps.

Contribution

The paper presents a novel algorithm that achieves higher accuracy and smoother hologram generation than current methods for designing holographic atom traps.

Findings

Fractional error at percent level

Outperforms existing algorithms by 1-2 orders of magnitude

Enables creation of arbitrary holographic atom traps

Abstract

We report the realization of a new iterative Fourier-transform algorithm for creating holograms that can diffract light into an arbitrary two-dimensional intensity profile. We show that the predicted intensity distributions are smooth with a fractional error from the target distribution at the percent level. We demonstrate that this new algorithm outperforms the most frequently used alternatives typically by one and two orders of magnitude in accuracy and roughness, respectively. The techniques described in this paper outline a path to creating arbitrary holographic atom traps in which the only remaining hurdle is physical implementation.