  We present a numerical and experimental study of feedback control of unstable
cellular patterns in directional solidification (DS). The sample, a dilute
binary alloy, solidifies in a 2D geometry under a control scheme which applies
local heating close to the cell tips which protrude ahead of the other. For the
experiments, we use a real-time image processing algorithm to track cell tips,
coupled with a movable laser spot array device, to heat locally. We show,
numerically and experimentally, that spacings well below the threshold for a
period-doubling instability can be stabilized. As predicted by the numerical
calculations, cellular arrays become stable, and the spacing becomes uniform
through feedback control which is maintained with minimal heating.
