# Real-time trajectory control on a deterministic ion source

## TL;DR

This paper demonstrates a real-time feedback system for controlling the trajectory of individual ions in a deterministic ion source, significantly improving spatial precision for quantum and materials science applications.

## Contribution

It introduces a novel real-time feedback method using electron detection to steer ions, enabling deterministic patterning with high spatial accuracy.

## Key findings

- Achieved a 1000-fold improvement in ion spot area.
- Successfully demonstrated real-time trajectory control of individual ions.
- Applicable to various ion sources for enhanced beam optimization.

## Abstract

The major challenge to improve deterministic single ion sources is to control the position and momentum of each ion. Based on the extra information given by the electron created in a photoionization process, the trajectory of the correlated ion can be controlled using a fast real time feedback system. In this paper, we report on a proof-of-principle experiment that demonstrates the performances of this feedback control with individual cesium ions. The produced electron is detected with a time and position sensitive detector, whose information are used to quickly infer the position of the corresponding ion. Then the feedback system drives the ion trajectory through steering plates. Individual ion can thus be send to any dedicated location. This enables us to perform deterministic patterning and reach a factor 1000 improvement in spot area. The single ion feedback control is versatile and can be applied to different kind of ion sources. It provides a powerful tool to optimize the ion beam and offers new area for quantum systems and applications of materials science.