Quantum Optics Seminar: Leo Konzett

Array of optical bottle beams using a liquid-​crystal spatial light modulator

In this work, we compare different approaches to generate an array of optical bottle beams that enables to trap low-field seeking atoms. Laser beam-shaping into the desired light distribution is achieved by a liquid crystal spatial light modulator and we verify the results both in simulation and experiment. In particular, we present two different approaches to generate single bottle beams and compare them with regards to trap depth and trapping potential. We demonstrate that the generation of bottle beam arrays can be reduced to the calculation of spot arrays, and we show that the achievable maximum density is limited by the interference of neighbouring traps. To mitigate interference effects and obtain alternative bottle beam shapes, we explore various direct 3D beam shaping algorithms. In particular, we demonstrate that they are successful in suppressing interference, but achieve lower trap depths.