  We optically assess Fresnel zone plates (FZPs) that are designed to guide
cold atoms. Imaging of various ring patterns produced by the FZPs gives an
average RMS error in the brightest part of the ring of 3% with respect to trap
depth. This residue will be due to the imaging system, incident beam shape and
FZP manufacturing tolerances. Axial propagation of the potentials is presented
experimentally and through numerical simulations, illustrating prospects for
atom guiding without requiring light sheets.
