  We present a laser beam shaping method using acousto-optic deflection of
light and discuss its application to dipole trapping of ultracold atoms. By
driving the acousto-optic deflector with multiple frequencies, we generate an
array of overlapping diffraction-limited beams that combine to form an
arbitrary-shaped smooth and continuous trapping potential. Confinement of atoms
in a flat-bottomed potential formed by a laser beam with uniform intensity over
its central region confers numerous advantages over the harmonic confinement
intrinsic to Gaussian beam dipole traps and many other trapping schemes.We
demonstrate the versatility of this beam shaping method by generating
potentials with large flat-topped regions as well as intensity patterns
compensating for residual external potentials to create a uniform background to
which the trapping potential of experimental interest can be added.
