Optimization-based hologram design for fine optical tweezer arrays and extension of super-resolution criteria
Phys. Rev. A 113, 013119 – Published 23 January, 2026
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1103/xhb8-jlxh
Abstract
Aligning light spots into arbitrary shapes is a fundamental challenge in holography, leading to various applications across diverse fields in science and engineering. However, as the spot interval approaches the wavelength of light, interference effects among the spots become prominent, which complicates the generation of a distortion-free alignment. Herein, we introduce a hologram design method based on the optimization of a nonlinear cost function using a holographic phase pattern as the optimization parameter. We confirmed generation of a multispot pattern, in which each spot is separated clearly by a distance of , on the focal plane of a high-numerical-aperture (0.75) objective by observing the near-infrared (wavelength: 820 nm) holographic output light from a spatial light modulator device. This result breaks through the spot spacing of a few micrometers that is a typical value achieved so far under similar experimental conditions. Furthermore, we propose redefinition of the Rayleigh diffraction limit by taking account of the separation of spot as well as the spot spacing. The proposed method is expected to advance laser fabrication, scanning laser microscopy, and cold atom physics, among other fields.
