Systems and methods relate to arranging atoms into 1D and/or 2D arrays; exciting the atoms into Rydberg states and evolving the array of atoms, for example, using laser manipulation techniques and high-fidelity laser systems described herein; and observing the resulting final state. In addition, refinements can be made, such as providing high fidelity and coherent control of the assembled array of atoms. Exemplary problems can be solved using the systems and methods for arrangement and control of atoms.

Systems and methods relate to arranging atoms into 1D and/or 2D arrays; exciting the atoms into Rydberg states and evolving the array of atoms, for example, using laser manipulation techniques and high-fidelity laser systems described herein; and observing the resulting final state. In addition, refinements can be made, such as providing high fidelity and coherent control of the assembled array of atoms. Exemplary problems can be solved using the systems and methods for arrangement and control of atoms.

According to one embodiment, an optical deflection element includes a substrate and three or more electrodes. The substrate has an incidence plane which the laser light enters and an emission plane from which the laser light exits. The three or more electrodes are arranged on the substrate at first intervals in a first direction. Electrodes allow a surface acoustic wave having a first wavelength to be generated in the substrate by applying a voltage thereto. Wiring is provided such that a voltage is selectively applied to the electrodes at an interval between at least two electrodes. The electrodes allow a surface acoustic wave having a second wavelength to be generated in the substrate by applying a voltage selectively at second intervals.

According to one embodiment, an optical deflection element includes a substrate and three or more electrodes. The substrate has an incidence plane which the laser light enters and an emission plane from which the laser light exits. The three or more electrodes are arranged on the substrate at first intervals in a first direction. Electrodes allow a surface acoustic wave having a first wavelength to be generated in the substrate by applying a voltage thereto. Wiring is provided such that a voltage is selectively applied to the electrodes at an interval between at least two electrodes. The electrodes allow a surface acoustic wave having a second wavelength to be generated in the substrate by applying a voltage selectively at second intervals.

An acousto-optic device may include an acousto-optic component carried by a chassis, and a fastener assembly for removably securing a cover to the chassis. The fastener assembly may include a base sleeve having an enlarged head, and a tubular body and extending through a cover passageway. The fastener assembly may include a retainer sleeve having a threaded interior secured to the threaded exterior of the base sleeve to define an anchor member, the anchor member having a threaded interior. The fastener assembly may further include a fastener, a shaft having a threaded exterior opposite the enlarged head and to be threaded through the threaded interior of the anchor member to capture the fastener to the cover and movable through the chassis passageway for removably securing the cover to the chassis.

A beam positioner can be broadly characterized as including a first acousto-optic (AO) deflector (AOD) operative to diffract an incident beam of linearly polarized laser light, wherein the first AOD has a first diffraction axis and wherein the first AOD is oriented such that the first diffraction axis has a predetermined spatial relationship with the plane of polarization of the linearly polarized laser light. The beam positioner can include at least one phase-shifting reflector arranged within a beam path along which light is propagatable from the first AOD. The at least one phase-shifting reflector can be configured and oriented to rotate the plane of polarization of light diffracted by the first AOD.

A beam positioner can be broadly characterized as including a first acousto-optic (AO) deflector (AOD) operative to diffract an incident beam of linearly polarized laser light, wherein the first AOD has a first diffraction axis and wherein the first AOD is oriented such that the first diffraction axis has a predetermined spatial relationship with the plane of polarization of the linearly polarized laser light. The beam positioner can include at least one phase-shifting reflector arranged within a beam path along which light is propagatable from the first AOD. The at least one phase-shifting reflector can be configured and oriented to rotate the plane of polarization of light diffracted by the first AOD.

A device, a computer program, a computer readable medium and a method for controlling focus of a laser beam during a micro sweep are disclosed. The laser beam is received to an acousto-optic deflector, and acoustic waves are provided to the acousto-optic deflector. The acoustic waves are varied in frequency over time to vary a deflection angle of the laser beam over time thereby achieving the micro sweep of the laser beam. Furthermore, a rate of variation in frequency of the acoustic waves is adapted over a time of the micro sweep in such a way that differences in frequencies over the time of the micro sweep of the acoustic waves are caused in the acousto-optic deflector over a width of the laser beam in a direction parallel to the micro sweep when passing through the acousto-optic deflector, where the differences in frequencies over the time of the micro sweep are such that they cause a desired focus of the laser beam in a direction parallel with the micro sweep over the micro sweep.

A device, a computer program, a computer readable medium and a method for controlling focus of a laser beam during a micro sweep are disclosed. The laser beam is received to an acousto-optic deflector, and acoustic waves are provided to the acousto-optic deflector. The acoustic waves are varied in frequency over time to vary a deflection angle of the laser beam over time thereby achieving the micro sweep of the laser beam. Furthermore, a rate of variation in frequency of the acoustic waves is adapted over a time of the micro sweep in such a way that differences in frequencies over the time of the micro sweep of the acoustic waves are caused in the acousto-optic deflector over a width of the laser beam in a direction parallel to the micro sweep when passing through the acousto-optic deflector, where the differences in frequencies over the time of the micro sweep are such that they cause a desired focus of the laser beam in a direction parallel with the micro sweep over the micro sweep.

The invention generally relates to systems and methods for controlling molecules. In certain aspects, the invention provides a system for controlling molecules, the system comprising: a first light source; a second light source; an acousto-optic modulator (AOM) coupled to the second light source; and control circuitry. In certain embodiments, the control circuitry may be configured to: receive a signal from the first light source that is interrogating a location in a sample that may contain a target molecule; compare the signal received from the first light source to a preset signal; and in the event that the signal received from the first light source meets or exceeds the preset signal, then the target molecule is present at the location in the sample and the control circuitry causes the AOM to activate the second light source to transmit light onto the location in the sample that contains the target molecule.