Atom optics with time-averaged optical potentials using a rapidly scanning laser beam

Summary form only given. A rapidly scanning far-detuned laser beam can generate a time-averaged optical dipole potential provided that the scan speed is much faster then any characteristic atomic motional time scale. The slow motional time scales of ultra cold atoms enables the use of even tightly focused scanning beams with readily attainable scan speeds of few hundred kHz. This concept offers the possibility to form nearly arbitrary effective optical potentials and also to change them in real time. It was recently used for adiabatic compression of rubidium atoms in a single-beam dark optical trap up to densities of 5/spl times/10/sup 13/ cm/sup -3/. Here we report on three new atom-optics applications based on rapidly scanning beams.