Rotating single atoms in a ring lattice generated by a spatial light modulator

Abstract:
“We demonstrated trapping single neutral Rb atoms in micro traps of an optical ring lattice formed by superposing the ±l components of the Laguerre-Gaussian mode, and generated by reflecting a single laser beam from a computer controlled spatial light modulator. A single atom in one trap or two atoms with one each in two traps were identified by observing the fluorescence. The trap array loaded with single atoms was rotated by dynamically displaying the hologram animation movie on the modulator. The modulation period in the fluorescence indicates the rotation of one or two single atoms in the lattice.”