Three-dimensional imaging of trapped cold atoms with a light field microscope

Area of Science:

• Atomic Physics
• Optical Imaging
• Microscopy

Background:

• Atom interferometer accelerometers are crucial for precise measurements but face limitations in dynamic systems.
• Traditional imaging methods struggle with dynamic systems requiring 3D information without fixed focal planes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and evaluate a 3D imaging system for trapped atoms using light field microscopy.
• To assess the feasibility of this technique for applications like atom interferometer accelerometers.

Main Methods:

• A light field microscope was constructed using a Lytro Development Kit.
• Fluorescing rubidium atoms in a magneto-optical trap were imaged.
• Three-dimensional (3D) atom cloud volumes were reconstructed using a modeled point spread function (PSF), accounting for low magnification.

Main Results:

• The 3D reconstruction achieved 100 μm accuracy in measuring atom cloud separation over a 3 mm depth.
• An in-focus resolution of 16 μm was obtained within a 3.9 mm x 3.9 mm field of view.
• Optical axis spreading was observed and analyzed in the reconstructed 3D volumes.

Conclusions:

• Light field microscopy enables single-camera, single-image 3D atom cloud reconstruction.
• This technique is valuable for applications requiring 3D spatial information with limited optical access.
• The system shows promise for enhancing atom interferometer accelerometer development in dynamic conditions.