A programmable system-on-chip-based device for automated control of laser light for cold atom experiments

We have developed a programmable system-on-chip (PSoC) device shutter controller and arbitrary waveform generator for the control of laser light. This microcontroller-based device with configurable digital and analog blocks is readily reprogrammed using free software, allowing for easy customization for a variety of applications. Additional digital and analog outputs with arbitrary timings can be used to control a variety of devices, such as acousto-optical modulators, additional shutters, or camera trigger pulses, for complete control of optical switching and imaging of laser light. Utilizing TTL-level control signals, this device can be readily integrated into existing computer control and data acquisition systems for expanded hardware capabilities. We report on the performance of this device and its integration into cold atom experiments.