Feedback-enhanced algorithm for aberration correction of holographic atom traps

TL;DR

This paper presents a feedback-enhanced algorithm using a phase-only spatial light modulator to correct optical aberrations in holographic atom traps, achieving high accuracy in light distribution for ultracold atom experiments.

Contribution

The authors introduce a simple, robust feedback loop that corrects device imperfections and aberrations, improving hologram accuracy for ultracold atom trapping applications.

Findings

Reduced RMS error to a few percent in light distribution

Applicable to various target distributions in cold atomic physics

Demonstrated generality of the correction algorithm

Abstract

We show that a phase-only spatial light modulator can be used to generate non-trivial light distributions suitable for trapping ultracold atoms, when the hologram calculation is included within a simple and robust feedback loop that corrects for imperfect device response and optical aberrations. This correction reduces the discrepancy between target and experimental light distribution to the level of a few percent (RMS error). We prove the generality of this algorithm by applying it to a variety of target light distributions of relevance for cold atomic physics.