Efficient and fast algorithms to generate holograms for optical tweezers

TL;DR

This paper compares three algorithms for generating holograms used in optical tweezers, focusing on their speed, efficiency, and accuracy for trapping particles, especially in quantum computing applications.

Contribution

It introduces and evaluates three optimized algorithms for hologram generation tailored for large optical tweezer arrays, considering different display devices.

Findings

Floyd-Steinberg error diffusion offers a good balance of speed and accuracy.

MRAF provides higher efficiency and phase variation accuracy.

DMDs enable faster frame rates, while PSLMs are more precise.

Abstract

We discuss and compare three algorithms for generating holograms: simple rounding, Floyd-Steinberg error diffusion dithering, and mixed region amplitude freedom (MRAF). The methods are optimised for producing large arrays of tightly focused optical tweezers for trapping particles. The algorithms are compared in terms of their speed, efficiency, and accuracy, for periodic arrangements of traps; an arrangement of particular interest in the field of quantum computing. We simulate the image formation using each of a binary amplitude modulating digital mirror device (DMD) and a phase modulating spatial light modulator (PSLM) as the display element. While a DMD allows for fast frame rates, the slower PSLM is more efficient and provides higher accuracy with a quasi-continuous variation of phase. We discuss the relative merits of each algorithm for use with both a DMD and a PSLM, allowing one to choose the ideal approach depending on the circumstances.