Spatially selective loading of an optical lattice by light-shift engineering using an auxiliary laser field

We report on a method of light-shift engineering where an auxiliary laser is used to tune the atomic transition frequency. We show that the technique provides enhanced loading of laser cooled 85Rb and 87Rb atoms into deep optical traps. Furthermore, by using a blue-detuned optical molasses, light-shift engineering offers remarkable spatial selectivity in the loading of an optical lattice.