Focus and depth of field tunable detection system for compact quantum sensors

Authored by

Kai Frye-Arndt, Arne Wacker, Patrick Brunssen, Til Dralle, Holger Ahlers, Waldemar Herr, Ernst Rasel, Christian Schubert

Abstract

Absorption imaging is a well-established method for determining both the atom number and spatial distribution of atomic ensembles, traditionally limited to a single focal plane and a fixed depth of field. However, as atom optics experiments grow more complex, atomic clouds can exceed the depth of field or leave the focal plane, as seen in large atomic arrays or bubble Bose-Einstein condensates (BECs). Here, we present an absorption imaging system that allows for tuning the object distance of 88.9 mm by ±5 mm and the depth of field from 26 µm to 203 µm. We determine performance metrics relevant for atomic experiments, such as the resolution and the optical distortion.

Details

Organisation(s)
Quantum Sensing
QuantumFrontiers
Institute of Quantum Optics
External Organisation(s)
DLR-Institute for Satellite Geodesy and Inertial Sensing
Type
Article
Journal
Optics express
Volume
34
Pages
3691-3701
No. of pages
11
ISSN
1094-4087
Publication date
26.01.2026
Publication status
Published
Peer reviewed
Yes
ASJC Scopus subject areas
Atomic and Molecular Physics, and Optics
Electronic version(s)
https://doi.org/10.1364/oe.582238 (Access: Open )

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