A three-dimensional steerable optical tweezer system for ultracold atoms

TL;DR

This paper introduces a 3D steerable optical tweezer system utilizing acousto-optic deflectors and digital synthesis, enabling dynamic control and array formation of ultracold atomic clouds in three dimensions.

Contribution

The work presents a novel 3D optical tweezer setup with rapid steering and array capabilities for ultracold atoms, advancing manipulation techniques in quantum experiments.

Findings

Successful creation of ultracold atomic arrays in 3D

Demonstration of rapid, precise tweezer steering

Validation of three-dimensional control through atomic cloud arrangements

Abstract

We present a three-dimensional steerable optical tweezer system based on two pairs of acousto-optic deflectors. Radio frequencies used to steer the optical tweezers are generated by direct digital synthesis and multiple cross beam dipole traps can be produced through rapid frequency toggling and time averaging. We demonstrate production of arrays of ultracold atomic clouds in both horizontal and vertical planes and use this as an indicator for the three-dimensional nature of this optical tweezer system.