Generating arbitrary potentials for Bose-Einstein condensates with a digital micromirror device

Abstract

I detail the development and characterization of an experimental setup capable of generating arbitrary two-dimensional optical potentials using a Digital Micromirror Device illuminated with spatially incoherent light. Spatially incoherent illumination significantly reduces phase-related artifacts, thereby enhancing the quality of the optical potentials. Detailed analyses of the light source and imaging system were conducted to optimize the setup’s performance. The results show significant improvements in the homogeneity and sharpness of the potentials compared to those obtained with coherent light. This work lays the groundwork for the final setup, which will be used to trap potassium atoms in the study of the superfluid-to-supersolid transition of a spin-orbit coupled spin-1/2 Bose-Einstein condensate.