Extending dark optical trapping geometries

TL;DR

This paper introduces novel dark optical trapping geometries using Laguerre-Gaussian beams, enabling low-decoherence ultracold atom confinement for advanced interferometry applications.

Contribution

It presents new counter-propagating geometries, including dark helices and ring lattices, with a realistic phase-stability scheme for improved atom trapping.

Findings

Demonstration of dark helices and ring lattice traps.

Proposal of phase-stability scheme for these geometries.

Potential for low-decoherence atom interferometry.

Abstract

New counter-propagating geometries are presented for localising ultracold atoms in the dark regions created by the interference of Laguerre-Gaussian laser beams. In particular dark helices, an 'optical revolver,' axial lattices of rings and axial lattices of ring lattices of rings are considered and a realistic scheme for achieving phase-stability is explored. The dark nature of these traps will enable their use as versatile tools for low-decoherence atom interferometry with zero differential light shifts.