Precise shaping of laser light by an acousto-optic deflector

TL;DR

This paper introduces a laser beam shaping technique using acousto-optic deflection with multiple frequencies to create customizable, smooth trapping potentials for ultracold atoms, enabling improved control over atomic confinement.

Contribution

It presents a novel method for shaping laser beams into arbitrary potentials using acousto-optic deflectors driven by multiple frequencies, enhancing atom trapping capabilities.

Findings

Generated flat-topped and custom intensity patterns.

Achieved uniform and smooth trapping potentials.

Demonstrated compensation for external potential variations.

Abstract

We present a laser beam shaping method using acousto-optic deflection of light and discuss its application to dipole trapping of ultracold atoms. By driving the acousto-optic deflector with multiple frequencies, we generate an array of overlapping diffraction-limited beams that combine to form an arbitrary-shaped smooth and continuous trapping potential. Confinement of atoms in a flat-bottomed potential formed by a laser beam with uniform intensity over its central region confers numerous advantages over the harmonic confinement intrinsic to Gaussian beam dipole traps and many other trapping schemes.We demonstrate the versatility of this beam shaping method by generating potentials with large flat-topped regions as well as intensity patterns compensating for residual external potentials to create a uniform background to which the trapping potential of experimental interest can be added.