Science

Creation and Manipulation of Three-Dimensional Optically Trapped Structures

Michael P. MacDonald, Lynn Paterson, Karen P. Volke-Sepúlveda, Jochen Arlt, W. Sibbett, Kishan Dholakia

Published May 10, 2002• 504 citations

Abstract

An interferometric pattern between two annular laser beams is used to construct three-dimensional (3D) trapped structures within an optical tweezers setup. In addition to being fully translatable in three dimensions, the trapped structure can be rotated controllably and continuously by introducing a frequency difference between the two laser beams. These interference patterns could play an important role in the creation of extended 3D crystalline structures.

DOI: 10.1126/science.1069571

Related papers

Optical tweezers for manipulating single atoms

Lukas Brandt, Cecilia Muldoon, Edouard Brainis +1 more

Our goal is to realize a scalable cluster of entangled atoms trapped in fully controllable arrays of optical tweezers. The optical-tweezers array we are currently implementing consists of a freely configurable two-dimensional array of dipole-force traps, which we obtain by imaging the intensity pattern from a spatial-light modulator (SLM) into our apparatus. In every dipole trap, the intensity gradient gives rise to a force that confines the atom to an effective potential well.

Conference on Lasers and Electro-Optics Europe & European Quantum Electronics Conference (CLEO/Europe-EQEC)Jun 1, 20091 citation

The Simulation of Direct Phase Addition for 3D optical tweezers

Piyawat Chatchaichompu, S Sungthong, Nithiwadee Thaicharoen +1 more

Abstract One of the essential requirements for atom-based technology is controlling the position and characterizing interactions between atoms and their environment. Optical tweezers are crucial for positioning atoms precisely. Typically, quantum technology research utilizes two-dimensional optical tweezers planar arrays, which are limited in manipulating atoms at different depths of field. To address this issue, three-dimensional optical tweezers can be simulated using a modulated phase mask of a Gaussian laser beam. The phase mask is computed using the direct phase addition (DPA) method with a weight factor, and the angular spectrum method (ASM) is employed to propagate a 2D intensity pattern transversely through the beam, layer by layer. Our results showed that the position of each trap can be adjusted to desire positions in 3D with a global weight factor. Furthermore, our analysis demonstrates that increasing resolution improves measurement precision. Utilizing 3D atom arrays enhances quantum simulation capabilities, providing better insights into complex phenomena. The results of this investigation will be applied to a spatial light modulator in a real setup for an ultra-cold atom trapping experiment.

Journal of Physics Conference SeriesJan 1, 20250 citations

Tweezers in Three Dimensions

Michael Schirber

Tweezers in Three DimensionsA new kind of 3D optical lattice traps atoms using focused laser spots replicated in multiple planes and could eventually serve as a quantum computing platform.

PhysicsMay 5, 20230 citations

A compact setup for 87Rb optical tweezer arrays

Xue Zhao, Xiao Wang, Wentao Yang +6 more

We describe a simple and compact experimental setup for optical tweezer arrays of 87Rb atoms. This setup includes a compact vacuum system, a single cooling laser, a simple tweezer laser, and a flexible control system. The small vacuum system with only 40 cm length takes advantage of the high atomic flux two-dimensional magneto-optical trap (2D MOT) while maintaining a low background pressure in the 3D MOT chamber ensuring sufficient lifetime of the trapped atoms. Atom number of the laser cooled sample of 2e7 and temperature of 92 uK is achieved. The flexible control system with real-time waveform generator modules (RWG) provides precise control of all the RF devices, and enables real-time feedback control of both the global and individual beams in optical tweezer arrays. An optical tweezer array with 25x25 homogeneous traps is demonstrated. This simple and compact demo setup makes it more accessible to experimental quantum physics.

arXiv:2604.12204Apr 14, 20260 citations

Optical Tweezing Near and Far from Resonance

Brooke C. Hester, Rani B. Kishore, Kristian Helmerson +2 more

We study the effects of optical tweezing near and far from the optical resonance of the trapped object. Single particles are manipulated and studied using a single-focus optical trap with variable wavelength.

Frontiers in OpticsJan 1, 20090 citations

Bimodal distribution of laser-cooled atoms in optical lattices

Claude M. Dion, Peder Sjölund, S. Jonsell +1 more

In this thesis, detailed experimental studies and numerical simulations are presented of laser cooling mechanisms in dissipative optical lattices and results of the first realized three dimensional Brownian motor in optical lattices. A dissipative optical lattice is a periodic light shift potential, created in the interference patterns of laser beams. In this, atoms can be both cooled and trapped, and the most important relaxation mechanism is generally considered to be “Sisyphus cooling”. However, careful experimental and theoretical investigations indicate the presence of other cooling processes as well. This is studied by varying different parameters such as irradiance and frequency of the lattice light. The time evolution of atoms in optical lattices show strong evidence of a bimodal velocity distribution, where a population transfer between one mode containing “hot” atoms and one mode containing “cold” atoms is evident. The normal diffusion of atoms in optical lattices is characterized by isotrop random fluctuations and exhibit the nature of Brownian motion. We have realized a technique where this motion is rectified and controlled. This is done in a three dimensional double optical lattice. This Brownian motor has control properties for both its speed and its direction in three dimensions. Our three dimensional double optical lattice is created by using laser light, exploiting two transitions, in the D2 line of cesium. Two three dimensional optical lattices are spatially overlapped; each optical lattice traps atoms in one of two hyperfine ground states. The controllability comes about by inducing phase shifts in the lattice laser beams, which displace the lattices relative to each other. This type of highly controlled Brownian motor is of fundamental interest since Brownian motion is present in almost all systems and for the role they play in protein motors and the function of living cells, and for the potential applications in nanotechnology. Brownian motors of this kind also open the way to possible studies of quantum Brownian motors and quantum resonances that are predicted for atomic ratchets. Optical lattices, and especially double optical lattices, have also been suggested as a platform for quantum state manipulations due to the good isolation from environment and ambient effects. Most of the work in this thesis is a first step towards the implementation of quantum manipulation schemes in a double optical lattice.

Jan 1, 20070 citations