Open AccessApplications of spatial light modulators in atom optics
Author(s) -
David McGloin,
Gabriel C. Spalding,
H. Melville,
W. Sibbett,
Kishan Dholakia
Publication year - 2003
Publication title -
optics express
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.394
H-Index - 271
ISSN - 1094-4087
DOI - 10.1364/oe.11.000158
Subject(s) - optics , interferometry , spatial light modulator , light beam , physics , dipole , atom interferometer , atom (system on chip) , atom optics , optoelectronics , astronomical interferometer , computer science , quantum mechanics , embedded system
We discuss the application of spatial light modulators (SLMs) to the field of atom optics. We show that SLMs may be used to generate a wide variety of optical potentials that are useful for the guiding and dipole trapping of atoms. This functionality is demonstrated by the production of a number of different light potentials using a single SLM device. These include Mach-Zender interferometer patterns and the generation of a bottle-beam. We also discuss the current limitations in SLM technology with regard to the generation of both static and dynamically deformed potentials and their use in atom optics.