Long working distance objective lenses for single atom trapping and imaging

TL;DR

This paper introduces two cost-effective, optimized objective lenses with long working distances suitable for single atom trapping and imaging, achieving diffraction-limited performance at specific wavelengths with standard lens components.

Contribution

The paper presents novel, simple, and affordable long working distance objective lenses optimized for atom trapping and imaging, using standard catalog lenses for diffraction-limited performance.

Findings

Objective 1 achieves NA=0.175 with 3 μm resolution.

Objective 2 achieves NA=0.29 with 1.8 μm resolution.

Designs are adaptable for shorter wavelengths by re-optimizing lens separations.

Abstract

We present a pair of optimized objective lenses with long working distances of 117~mm and 65~mm respectively that offer diffraction limited performance for both Cs and Rb wavelengths when imaging through standard vacuum windows. The designs utilise standard catalog lens elements to provide a simple and cost-effective solution. Objective 1 provides $\mathrm{NA}=0.175$ offering 3~$\mu$m resolution whilst objective 2 is optimized for high collection efficiency with $\mathrm{NA}=0.29$ and 1.8~$\mu$m resolution. This flexible design can be further extended for use at shorter wavelengths by simply re-optimising the lens separations.