Case Study: Advancing Atomic Imaging with Custom Lens

Shanghai Optics embarked on a groundbreaking project in collaboration with a university’s Applied Physics department, tasked with crafting a specialized objective lens catering to the intricate demands of trapping and imaging single atoms. Leveraging our team’s profound expertise and cutting-edge technology, we embarked on a journey to develop a system capable of trapping and imaging atoms with unparalleled precision.

Manufacturing Specifications

The objective lens we devised boasts an array of specifications meticulously tailored to the nuances of atom manipulation:

Wavelength Range: 780 nm – 1064 nm
Working Distance: 15mm (air: 5mm,vacuum: 4mm)
Numerical Aperture (NA): 0.5
Focal Length: 10mm
Dimensions: Φ38mm x 80mm
Conjugate Distance: Infinity

Key Design Considerations

In crafting this objective lens, we prioritized several crucial factors essential for trapping and imaging single atoms:

Large Numerical Aperture: Essential for achieving high-resolution imaging and ensuring optimal energy reception at desired wavelengths.
Extended Working Distance: Facilitates the accommodation of two lasers at a 45-degree incident angle without compromising the mechanical diameter, thus enabling precise atom manipulation.
Diffraction-Limited Performance: Across all imaging wavelengths, maintaining sharp focus and minimizing chromatic aberrations.

Custom Objective Lens in Action

Our objective lens is tailored to trap atoms primarily at 780 nm and 852 nm wavelengths while delivering diffraction-limited performance across the spectrum from 780 nm to 1064 nm. The lens’s performance is graphically depicted through Modulation Transfer Function (MTF) plots showcasing its efficacy across all wavelengths.

Utilizing an active alignment method during manufacturing, we effectively mitigated optical fabrication errors, spherical aberrations, and coma, thereby elevating the lens’s optical prowess to unprecedented levels.

Testing and Validation

Rigorous testing protocols were employed to validate the lens’s performance. Our in-house developed testing equipment, depicted in the accompanying diagram, employed principles such as the Point Spread Function (PSF) diagram and energy cross-section positioning to ascertain resolution. Through meticulous calibration testing, the lens demonstrated a remarkable resolution of 1.45μm, closely aligning with the theoretical limit of 1.26μm. This validation solidifies the lens’s efficacy in atomic capture endeavors.

In conclusion, Shanghai Optics has engineered a bespoke objective lens that redefines the boundaries of atomic imaging. With its unparalleled numerical aperture, extended working distance, and diffraction-limited performance, our lens epitomizes precision and innovation in the realm of single atom trapping and imaging.

This feat stands as a testament to our unwavering commitment to excellence, pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in atomic capture endeavors. Shanghai Optics’ custom objective lens not only meets but exceeds the most stringent specifications, offering a glimpse into the future of atomic manipulation and imaging technologies.

Contact Shanghai Optics today! We’d be more than happy to discuss your projects and how to best bring them to fruition.