Single electron and photon radio frequency timer

An apparatus for an RF Timer in a high vacuum system, comprising:

• a synchroscan operation mode for synchronizing the photons with the RF Timer;
• a photocathode to convert electrons to photons;
• an accelerating electrode to accelerate the photoelectrons to a particular number of electron volts;
• an electrostatic lens to focus the accelerated photoelectrons;
• a deflecting electrode for providing a trajectory deflection of the photoelectrons;
• a microchannel plate to multiply the deflected photoelectrons;
• and
• a position-sensitive detector to record the position of the photoelectrons on a position sensitive detector.

A method for an RF Timer in a high vacuum system, comprising:

• converting light pulses from a continuous stream of photons to photoelectrons;
• accelerating the photoelectrons to a particular number of electron volts;
• focusing the accelerated photoelectrons;
• deflecting the accelerated photoelectrons in a trajectory;
• receiving and multiplying the photoelectrons in microchannel plates;
• recording the position of the photoelectrons on a position sensitive detector.