Cold atom guidance using a binary spatial light modulator

Opt Express. 2006 Feb 20;14(4):1368-75. doi: 10.1364/oe.14.001368.

Abstract

We have guided cold (85)Rb atoms in a blue-detuned, high-order hollow laser beam generated by a binary spatial light modulator. The binary holograms written to the modulator produce smooth hollow laser beams with steep intensity walls that can be updated with a 1.6 kHz refresh rate. We analyze the guiding laser beams numerically and experimentally, and show that the atoms are exposed to an average intensity that is ~2% of the maximum intensity of the guide at a laser detuning of 1 GHz and 2 mW of optical power.