Computer generation of optimal holograms for optical trap arrays

We propose a new iterative algorithm for obtaining optimal holograms targeted to the generation of arbitrary three dimensional structures of optical traps. The algorithm basic idea and performance are discussed in conjunction to other available algorithms. We show that all algorithms lead to a phase distribution maximizing a specific performance quantifier, expressed as a function of the trap intensities. In this scheme we go a step further by introducing a new quantifier and the associated algorithm leading to unprecedented efficiency and uniformity in trap light distributions. The algorithms performances are investigated both numerically and experimentally. (c) 2006 Optical Society of America.