We use a phase-only spatial light modulator to generate light distributions in which the intensity decays as a power law from a central maximum with order ranging from 2 (parabolic) to 0.5. We suggest that a sequence of these can be used as a time-dependent optical dipole trap for all-optical production of Bose-Einstein condensates (BECs) in two stages: efficient evaporative cooling in a trap with adjustable strength and depth, followed by an adiabatic transformation of the trap order to cross the BEC transition in a reversible way. Realistic experimental parameters are used to verify the capability of this approach in producing larger BECs than by evaporative cooling alone.

• Received 23 September 2011

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevA.84.053410