Reconfigurable Optical Lattices for Ultracold Atoms

AOSense has successfully designed and fabricated numerous cold-atom-based sensors, including lasers, vacuum systems, optomechanics and control electronics. This SBIR topic is well-matched to our experience in developing systems for the manipulation of ultracold atoms. We propose to design and develop a novel optical trap for ultracold atom experiments that will be reconfigurable between a focused-beam trap, a stationary optical lattice, and/or a moving optical lattice. The system will switch between these operational modes at high bandwidth and with no moving parts. Our design will also incorporate a crossed-dipole optical trap for evaporative cooling. In addition to completing detailed system and component level designs, we will perform design validation studies to ensure that the trap will meet the target performance goals and will successfully implement a lattice-based cold atom accelerometer.