Extinguishing wildfires with light and other applications

Abstract

A directed energy firefighting device is disclosed to extinguish fires with light, comprising a structured light generator and a directed energy controller for detecting and extinguishing fires remotely and at the speed of light. The device employs structured directed light energy capable of inducing atmospheric avalanche breakdown, generating at least one of sound waves and shockwaves, and dynamically forming space-time acoustic arrays for precise fire suppression. The system may integrate one or more energy sources, including gyrotrons, traveling wave tubes, klystrons, free electron lasers, and others, to produce diffraction-resistant and dynamically structured beams that penetrate through the atmospheric and non-metalic solid physical obstructions. Key features also may include safety mechanisms and artificial intelligence for real-time optimization. Other applications include power beaming, environmental monitoring, medicine, disaster response, and orbital debris clearing are also discussed. A key feature is the ability for arbitrary manipulation of light over large areas.

Description

[0001] Extinguishing Wildfires With Lightand Other ApplicationsAttorney Docket No. LD3-046-RPAAttorney: Austin BondererFile Date: 2025 January 28File Build Time: 2025.01.27.12.59.35 Pacific Time USADESCRIPTION CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This invention claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Appli-cation No. 63 / 626,795, filed on January 30, 2024, titled PyrophotoelectrosonicSuppression of Fires Using Directed Light Energy.TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] This disclosure relates primarily to the structuring of electromag-netic (EM) energy into intense beams of Structured Light with tailored prop-erties that unlock groundbreaking capabilities to extinguishfires and to more gen-erally power, protect, and propel.In particular, structured light can exhibit di!raction-resistant, obscurant-penetrating, self-healing, particle-trapping, plasma-inducing, and curved-propagationtrajectories across the EM spectrum, ranging from visible to microwave bands andbeyond. These beams can take forms such as “accelerated” EM beams, vortexloops, and other spatial and temporal EM modal structures.This technology provides novel means to transmit energy, manipulate theatmosphere, transport water, penetratefires, modulate oxygen availability, coolfires, power remote systems, and transmit energy from distant sources, such assolar, geothermal, or modular nuclear reactors. These capabilities are particularlyimpactful for wildfire mitigation, which is the focus of this disclosure.While a significant portion of this disclosure focuses on wildfire suppressionusing light, i.e. photopyrokinesis, however, the underlying technology extends toa variety of applications beyond wildfires, further advancing the domains of energytransmission, environmental control, and propulsion.BACKGROUND OF THE PROBLEM

[0003] Modernfirefighting technology primarily relies on the application ofwater and chemicals to suppressfires by disrupting oxygen uptake and cooling fuelbelow its ignition temperature. This method has been in use for over 300,000 years,dating back to early hominids. While e!ective, it is resource-intensive, slow, andcostly. As wildfires increase in scale and intensity due to accelerating global warm-ing, there is a pressing need for non-chemical methods that reduce cost, accelerateresponse times, and provide broader area coverage.

[0004] Extreme Wildfire Events (EWEs) are on the rise and are havingplanetary-scale e!ects. In recent years, forestfires have accounted for about 20% ofthe annual 40,000 million metric tons of CO2 emissions globally. While only about3% of wildfires are classified as extreme, they contribute over 80% of the totalassociatedfire damage and greenhouse gas emissions. Current estimates indicatethat forestfires emit approximately 8,250 million metric tons of CO2 annually,equivalent to 2,250 million metric tons of carbon.

[0005] A 2015 paper in Nature Communications by Dr. W. Matt Jolly andcolleagues at the U.S. Forest Service concluded that global warming has signifi-cantly extendedfire seasons over the preceding 30 years. Fire seasons have length-ened across 25% of the Earth’s surface, doubling the global burnable area in thattime. This corresponds to a 2.3% compound annual growth rate (CAGR) in bothburn area and CO2 emissions. This growth rate suggests a continued increase inwildfire-driven CO2 emissions due to ecological overshoot and global warming.

[0006] If this trend persists, by 2100 the CO2 emissions from forestfirescould increase 5.5 times their current levels, surpassing today’s total global CO2emissions from fossil fuels. In the U.S. alone, the combined direct and indirectannual cost of forestfires is estimated between $500 billion and $1 trillion, accordingto the U.S. Congress Joint Economic Committee. This economic burden threatensproductivity and the resources available to combatfires e!ectively. This moneycould also be better used for other economic activity.

[0007] Dr. James Hansen, a prominent climate scientist and former directorof NASA’s Goddard Institute for Space Studies, has warned about the catastrophicconsequences of unchecked greenhouse gas emissions. In his 2023 paper, Globalwarming in the pipeline (Oxford Open Climate Change 3(1)), he predicts that evenif greenhouse gas levels were stabilized today, Earth would still experience a 10 °Cwarming above pre-industrial levels, rendering the planet uninhabitable. Moreover,reducing atmospheric aerosols from pollution could trigger a rapid warming of atleast 2 °C, compounding the e!ects of global warming.

[0008] Another study, Limits to economic growth by Thomas W. Murphy Jr.(Nature Physics, 2022), underscores the unsustainable nature of continued energyconsumption growth. He projects that at a growth rate of 2.3% per year, human-ity’s energy usage would reach levels that overwhelm Earth’s natural heat dissipa-tion capabilities within 400 years. Moreover, long before reaching this threshold,perhaps within 100-200 years, catastrophic environmental impacts of heat alonewould overwhelm humanity. Wildfires would play a significant part this catastro-phe.

[009] In simple words, even “clean” fusion energy pollutes with heat intothe biosphere. This is a result of the second law of thermodynamics and cannotbe avoided. Thus, the fundamental driver of global warming is a requirement foryear-on-year economic growth, instead of steady-state economic activity that ismatched to earth’s natural capacity to absorb the heat and CO2 emissions fromhuman economic activity.

[0010] Thesefindings highlight a critical tipping point: even eliminating fossilfuel emissions in the coming decades may not prevent the accelerating e!ects ofglobal warming if wildfire emissions continue to rise. The scale of this threatnecessitates rapid suppression methods to control wildfires and their emissions.

[0011] This disclosure demonstrates how directed energy and electronic war-fare technology can provide a revolutionary solution to extinguish wildfires bothquickly and remotely, potentially mitigating one of the most significant contribu-tors to global warming. This will not stop global warming, but it will help slow itdown so that humans can have a little more time to become more than just clever,and instead become wise and reduce the scale of economic activity to be in balancewith nature via a new steady-state and worldwide monetary policy.BACKGROUND OF ACOUSTIC FIREFIGHTING

[0012] With this context in mind, we now highlight a significant accidentaldiscovery that took place in 1913. A teenager named Myron Kinley observed thatan oil wellfire was extinguished when nearby dynamite accidentally exploded. Thisevent led to the widespread use of dynamite in suppressing oil wellfires. MyronKinley may be regarded as the inventor of impulsive acousticfirefighting.

[0013] A second accidental discovery occurred in 1926 when a naturalistnamed Charles Kellogg conducted multiple demonstrations in New York and Cal-ifornia, showcasing the e!ect of ”tonal vibration” onfire. Using tuning forks,Kellogg was able to extinguishfires with sound. This e!ort was reported in theGeraldton Guardian newspaper, as shown in Fig. 1, which is reproduced im-mediately below with enhanced clarity for the reader’s convenience:The Geraldton Guardian, February 6, 1926, LATEST FIRE FIGHTER,SOUND TONAL VIBRATION. Montreal. Feb. 2, 1926 — A messagefrom New York states that Charles Kellogg, a Californian scientist, gavefiremen a demonstration of extinguishing a gasflame two feet high by asound tonal vibration. Kellogg, passed a bow like a enlarged violin bow,swiftly across an aluminum tuning fork producing a screech like intenseradio static. Instantly the yellow [gas]flame [two feet high, leaping in-side a hollow glass tube], subsided to a height of six inches, and becamea spluttering blueflame. Another “bowing” completely extinguished it.Kellogg, claimed that future buildings would have a scientifically deter-mined pitch, with a screech for extinguishingfires. It would be tuned, infrom a centralfire house, where a much larger bow would be operated:He said that the General Electric Company were experimenting with theinvention.where the words in brackets [] were subsequently found in a footnote in the book“Autobiography of a Yogi,”first published in 1946 by Paramhansa Yogananda.

[0014] Thus, Charles Kellogg was putting outfires literally with song andlow-intensity sound in the early 20th century and he may be considered the inventorof continuous wave (not impulsive shock) acousticfire suppression in 1926.

[0015] It is interesting to note the circumstance of this discovery by CharlesKellogg. It turns out that he also wrote a book entitled ‘ ‘The Nature Singer,” andpublished it in a small California press in 1930. Therein, he describes an esotericskill: his talent for imitating bird songs using his voice. See Figs. 2 and 3.

[0016] Recently, one Ted Gioia, acting as an amateur historian recounts theamazing abilities of Charles Kellogg, in his blog on the Honest Broker in an articlecalled “The Man Who Put Out Fires with Music,” he writes:

[0017] “Kellogg’s skill at imitating bird songs was so accurate that itinspired disbelief. Rumors circulated that his vocal cords were di!er-ent from other human beings, or that he had some physiological defor-mity that allowed him to make sounds beyond normal musical capacities.Kellogg was brought to Benjamin Sharp, secretary of the Academy ofNatural Sciences in Philadelphia, who in turn enlisted the services ofRichard Zeckwer, a scientist and student of the famous physicist Her-mann von Helmholtz. A series of tests determined that Kellogg wassomehow capable of making bird songs up into a range inaudible to thehuman ear. While experimenting with the capacities of these higherfrequency sounds, Kellogg learned he could extinguish a smallflamemerely with the sound of his voice. Inspired by this success, he startedtesting the potential of tuning forks and other implements asfirefightingtools. He gave public demonstrations of this seemingly impossible skill,and even caught the attention of the scientists at General Electric, whoinvited him to their research center to display his techniques....On Au-gust 19, 1926, he undertook a test with the help of General Electric tosee whether he could put out aflame over long distance via radio broad-cast. Kellogg was sitting in a studio at the General Electric BroadcastingStudio in Oakland, California, and had instructed a friend forty milesaway in San Jose to set up a gas burner in front of a radio receiver. Ata signal from Kellogg, the friend ignited theflame and turned it up toits full extent, two feet high, then watched in amazement as the soundof Kellogg’s music-making over the radio extinguished thefire....Thisexperiment excited such skepticism that Kellogg was enlisted to repeat itfor a team of Berkeley scientists. The resulting public test on September6, broadcast live over KGO, is one of the most remarkable events in thehistory of radio. Kellogg sat in the studio, while a team of scientistsgathered at Berkeley’s LeComte Hall ten miles away with a two-footflame in front of their radio set. Kellogg proceeded to make theflamedance beforefinally putting it out.”

[0018] By the mid-1960s, another pioneer by the name of Red Adair wasagain innovating and successfully extinguished oil wellfires using shaped explosivecharges instead of just ad hoc undirected chemical explosives. This method provedto be highly e”cient, as it focused the energy of the explosives, e!ectively deprivingthefires of the oxygen and other conditions needed for sustain combustion.

[0019] Many decades later, in 2002, unaware of Charles Kellogg’s work, thecurrent author (Leo DiDomenico) independently conceived the idea of an acous-ticfire suppression system after observing a wildfire on television. This idea wasdocumented in his witnessed invention notebook. However, this concept was setaside as the current author concentrated on other inventions, most notably Op-tometaphoresis (OMP), a technology for controlling electromagnetic radiation.This work culminated in U.S. Patent No. 11,385,516, granted on July 12, 2022,titled “Agile Light Control by Means of Noise, Impulse, and Harmonic Signal-Induced Dielectrophoresis Plus Other Phoretic Forces to Control Optical ShockWaves, Scattering, and the Refractive Index of Colloids”, and Chinese Patent No.CN 110494771B, granted on January 18, 2022, titled “Light Steering and Focusingby Dielectrophoresis”. Additionally, U.S. Patent Application No. 20,210,208,469,filed on February 26, 2021, titled “Light Control by Means of Forced Translation,Rotation, Orientation, and Deformation of Particles Using Dielectrophoresis”, iscurrently pending. OMP can play a significant role in this disclosure, particularlyin the e”cient suppression of fires.

[0020] In 2015, researchers Viet Tran and Seth Robertson revisited the ideaof using sound to extinguishfires, discovering that very low-frequency sound coulde!ectively suppressflames. This discovery led to U.S. Patent No. 10,569,115,published on February 24, 2020, titled “Methods and Systems for Disrupting Phe-nomena with Waves.” Interestingly, the patent examiner appears to havebeen unaware of Charles Kellogg’s earlier discovery, which likely wouldhave precluded the granting of the patent for the general use of soundwaves to suppressfires.

[0021] What is particularly notable is that Kellogg used a combination ofhigh and low frequencies (due to his use of bird whistles and the long-bow excitationof a tuning fork), while Tran and Robertson primarily employed low-frequencysound. After experimenting with high-frequency sound, they observed some e!ecton thefire, though they concluded that low-frequency sound was more e!ective.

[0022] Another noteworthy contender for fire suppression is hypersonicsound, pioneered by Elwood (Woody) Norris. The physics of hypersonic soundinvolves ultrasonic waves, typically above the range of human hearing (greater than20 kHz). These ultrasonic waves are modulated to produce audible sound whenthey interact nonlinearly with the air, causing the air to vibrate and generatesound waves at lower frequencies. By precisely modulating and directing the ul-trasonic waves, this technology creates focused audio beams. The process relies onultrasonics, wave interference, and the nonlinear behavior of air. The key elementsinclude (1) the highly directional nature of ultrasonic frequencies due to their shortwavelengths, and (2) the interaction of amplitude, phase, or frequency-modulatedultrasonic waves with the nonlinear atmosphere to produce a beat frequency signalat audio frequencies, audible only along the narrow path of the ultrasonic beam.One of Norris’s many patents in thisfield is titled “Resonant Tuned UltrasonicElectrostatic Emitter,”filed on January 13, 1998.

[0023] A hypersonic sound device known as the Long Range AcousticDevice (LRAD) is a directed-energy sound cannon and an acoustic hailing de-vice, used for long-range communication and crowd control, among other dual-usemilitary applications. LRADs are widely employed by law enforcement, military,maritime security, and other organizations to broadcast loud, clear audio messagesover extended distances. Key features of LRADs include:• Directional Sound Projection: LRADs are designed to project sound in aspecific direction, allowing operators to target a particular area or audiencewithout broadcasting the message indiscriminately.• Long Range: As the name suggests, LRADs are capable of projecting soundover long distances, reaching one thousand meters or more. This makes themuseful for communicating with individuals or crowds at a distance.• Clear Communication: LRADs are capable of delivering intelligible and clearmessages even in noisy environments. The focused and directional nature ofthe sound projection helps in reducing interference.• Variable Frequency and Volume: Operators can adjust the frequency andvolume of the sound emitted by the LRAD, allowing forflexibility in commu-nication and ensuring that the message is audible without causing excessivediscomfort. •Non-lethal Deterrent: While LRADs are primarily used for communication,the loud and potentially disorienting nature of the sound they produce canserve as a non-lethal, and possibly a lethal, sound deterrent. In certainsituations, the use of an LRAD may discourage individuals from approachinga secured area.

[0024] Hypersonic sound relies on the nonlinear absorption of sound energyin air, particularly above approximately 80 dB. Furthermore, above about 20 kHz,the attenuation of sound becomes a nonlinear function of frequency. For example, a100 kHz ultrasonic frequency experiences around 800 dB of atmospheric absorptionper 100 feet (30 meters). As the energy from an LRAD spreads along the pathof the ultrasonic beam, it originates from billions of emitter planes, ensuring thatonly individuals within the beam can hear the audio.

[0025] When the narrow-beam ultrasonic signal s(t) is amplitude modulatedwith an audible signal, the ultrasonic wave interacts with the nonlinear atmosphere,producing acoustic mixing products. This interaction causes the down-convertedaudible signal to be generated at each ”sheet” of intense ultrasonic energy alongthe beam, which can then be heard by the human ear. Other modulation tech-niques, such as frequency and phase modulation, may also be employed, eitherindependently or in combination.

[0026] Thus, in principle, by modulating the appropriate acoustic signal froma narrow-beam ultrasonic transducer, it is theoretically possible to suppressfiresfrom a distance without using water or chemicalfire suppressants. However, theLRAD system loses significant energy along the propagation path, and that energywould be better utilized for extinguishingfires. As a result, while LRAD may bepossible, it is not anticipated to be e”cient and practical enough for combatingextreme wildfire events (EWEs) over large distances. Also, the lower frequencieswould require substantially larger LRAD devices than are currently available.

[0027] Therefore, new techniques and embodiments are needed to ensure ef-ficient, remote, and low-resource-usefire suppression.ACOUSTIC WAVES EXTINGUISH FIRES

[0028] This section is critical background about how acoustic shockwaves andsound-waves are highly e!ective tools for extinguishingfires due to their ability todisrupt the combustion process through multiple physical mechanisms.

[0029] When a shockwave propagates through the air, it creates rapid pres-surefluctuations, intense turbulence, and rarefaction zones that collectively sup-pressflames. The primary e!ect of a shockwave is the disruption of theflamestructure, which separates the fuel and oxygen required for combustion. Addition-ally, the rarefaction zones that follow shockwaves temporarily reduce the oxygenconcentration and lower the temperature in thefire zone, further inhibiting com-bustion. Repeated shockwaves amplify these e!ects by sustaining turbulence andpreventing re-ignition.

[0030] Historically, chemical explosives have been used to generate singleshockwaves forfire suppression, such as in oil-wellfires, but recent advancementsenable the generation of precisely controlled, electronically produced shockwavesystems. These systems o!er enhanced precision, scalability, and sustainability infirefighting applications, providing a modern and e”cient solution for managingfires across various scenarios. The electronics that can produce these shocks maybe based on light, sound, and other physical processes, even exotic e!ects such asionized radiation and others may be used.

[0031] In order of importance the following e!ects extinguish afire by acous-tic processes.

[0032] 1. Shock Wave Disruption: The electronically generated shockwaves act as the primary mechanism for extinguishing thefire. By deploying manyprecisely directed shock waves each second, built up from thousands to millions oftiny individual shockwaves, the system creates a coordinated disruption of theflamestructure, e!ectively separating fuel and oxidizer, and scattering hot combustiongases. This approach enhances the physical interruption of combustion far beyondthe capability of a single (historical) chemical explosive shock wave, enabling moretargeted and sustainedfire suppression.

[0033] 2. Ember Management: In high-wind conditions like Santa Anawinds, electronically generated shock waves neutralize and contain embers withina fire zone. Precisely timed shock waves create localized zones that disrupt em-bers, fragmenting and cooling them through adiabatic expansion and turbulentmixing. Overlapping shockwave patterns suppress ember updrafts and limit wind-driven spread by forming pressure barriers. Dynamic feedback systems with AIand atmospheric sensing adapt shockwave intensity and direction to wind changes,ensuring embers are controlled without exacerbatingfire spread. This precisioncontainment minimizes ember dispersal, enhancingfire control even under extremeconditions. Containment may need to be maintained for several minutes to neu-tralize the ember threat.

[0034] 3. Sequential Suppression and Control: Unlike chemical ex-plosives, electronically generated shock waves can be precisely timed and directedto focus suppression e!orts on specific areas of thefire. This allows for sustainedcontrol, targeted application, and adaptability, which are not achievable with tra-ditional explosive methods. This can be further enhanced with advanced artificialintelligence (AI) electronic warfare techniques directed against thefire.

[0035] 4. Rarefaction-Induced Oxygen Depletion: Each shock waveis followed by a rarefaction wave, which lowers the local air pressure and density.This creates temporary oxygen-deficient zones that prevent thefire from sustainingcombustion. In the electronically generated system, the cumulative rarefactione!ect from multiple shock waves amplifies this mechanism over a broader areacompared to a single explosive event.

[0036] 5. Cooling via Rarefaction: The rarefaction wave significantlyreduces the temperature in thefire zone through adiabatic expansion. Even moresimplistically the ideal gas law shows how lower pressure can can cause lower tem-perature PV = nRT . While the opposite (heating) is also true during the highpressure segment of a wave where a shockwave can form and disrupt thefire byother means. Thus, both the compressive and refractive components can disruptafire. With hundreds to millions of electronically generated shock waves per sec-ond, the cooling e!ect becomes highly distributed and more uniform, ensuring thesuppression of hotspots that could reignite afire. This mechanism synergies withoxygen depletion to enhancefire suppression.

[0037] 6. Turbulent Mixing and Dilution: The turbulence created bythe repeated electronic shock waves disperses theflame, mixes hot combustiongases with cooler ambient air, and dilutes fuel and oxygen concentrations. Unlikea single explosive shock wave, the repeated application of periodic and aperiodicshock waves ensures sustained turbulence, preventing re-ignition and achievingbetter control over thefire.

[0038] 7. Physical Displacement of Fuel: For certainfires, the repeatedshock waves can physically displace or scatter the fuel source, particularly if the fuelis loose, particulate, or liquid. This is less prominent than the direct disruption ofcombustion but can contribute to extinguishingfires where the fuel can be removedor isolated from theflame. Moreover, intense shockwaves can pulverize materialsand expose hidden parts of afire for further disruption.

[0039] 8. Repeated Pressure Oscillations: In the electronically gen-erated system, overlapping shock waves and rarefaction zones can create complexpressure oscillations that repeatedly disrupt theflame front. These oscillations ex-tend the suppression e!ect beyond the duration of a single shock wave, ensuringmore e!ective quenching of thefire.

[0040] 9. Ionization and Electromagnetic E!ects: The electronicallygenerated shock waves may interact with the electromagnetic environment to in-fluenceflame chemistry, especially in high-temperature plasmas created during theprocess. While not the primary suppression mechanism, these e!ects could con-tribute to localized disruption of combustion processes.

[0041] 10. Low-Intensity Acoustic Waves: The use of low-intensityacoustic waves, without the formation of shockwaves, can also extinguishfires byresonating with theflame and disrupting the combustion process. Even travelingsound waves can create oscillations in the air to interfere with theflame’s supply ofoxygen and destabilize theflame front. While this method may require precise tun-ing of the acoustic frequency and intensity, it has been demonstrated to e!ectivelysuppress smallflames, particularly under controlled conditions.

[0042] 11. Oxygen Depletion from Chemical Consumption (PriorArt): For traditional chemical explosives, the combustion of the explosive mate-rial consumes oxygen in the immediate vicinity, contributing tofire suppression.However, this mechanism may be absent in the electronically generated shock wavesystem, which typically achieves suppression without chemical reactions or oxygendepletion from combustion.

[0043] It is critical to appreciate that low intensity acoustic waves can becombined to form high-intensity focused sound waves that can subsequently exhibitlocalized shockwaves, and place the shock where it is needed (at the acoustic focus)without energy loss in propagation. Thus, in electronically controlledfirefighting itis often an objective to generate low-intensity acoustic waves as part of a shockwaveformation process, i.e. for the sake of power e”ciency.

[0044] Thus, electronic (and photonic etc...) generated shock wave disruptionis a significant and versatile mechanism, enabling precision, control, and scalabilityof fire suppression far beyond what chemical explosives can achieve. Rarefaction-induced oxygen depletion and cooling are enhanced with repeated shock waves, andember management, achieving a broader and more sustained suppression e!ect.Turbulent mixing and pressure oscillations are magnified by the system’s ability togenerate numerous, overlapping shock waves. Fuel displacement and electromag-netic e!ects play situational but secondary roles. The chemical oxygen depletionof explosives is noted only as prior art and is not applicable to the electronic sys-tem. While low-intensity acoustic waves alone are less e!ective for largefires, theycan be focused to create localized shockwaves, providing an energy-e”cient andtargeted approach tofire suppression.

[0045] Additionally, something more is going on withfire suppression usingjust low-intensity sound, as it clearly can put out afire, as many experiments haveshown. This can occur without a resonant container to cause standing waves. Asimple speaker can extinguish a smallfire with a modest 100 Hz tone. Or betteryet, a broad band of sound noise emitted from the speaker, again around 100 Hz to1000 Hz can even more e”ciently put out a smallfire. An noted Charles Kelloggshowed this around 1926 (roughly) with song and large tuning folks. Then againfiresuppression by sound was demonstrated by Seth Roberson and Viet Tran in 2015from George Mason University. The experiment has been repeated many times byothers. Also, there are interesting experiments shown wherein a speaker puts out afire and the airflow out of the speaker is measured with an anemometer. Then a fanis used to try to put out the samefire by providing the same or greater air velocityand thefire does not go out. It appears that there is something intrinsic about thesound, even at low intensity, that puts out thefire. Also, at least for smallfires,I have measured that directed sound from a speaker that is only 1%-10% of thepower output of theflam can put out theflame. So there is something more goingon here in the suppression of fire by sound, beyond just airflow or shockwaves.The historical and modern experiments I reference highlight intriguing physicalphenomena that are not yet fully understood at the time of the writing of thisdisclosure. Nonetheless, here’s an attempt to synthesize the evidence and proposepossible mechanisms:

[0046] 1. Flame Oscillations and Quenching: Sound waves induceoscillations in theflame that disrupt the steady combustion process. These oscil-lations could (1) displace theflame base to interrupt the connection between fueland oxidizer, and (2) stretch theflame increasing the heat loss from theflame toits surroundings, e!ectively cooling it below the ignition temperature.

[0047] 2. Enhanced Heat Loss via Convection: Acoustic waves canenhance localized convective heat transfer away from theflame without significantlyincreasing bulk airflow. This e!ect could explain why air-flow form a sound source,like a speaker, works better than a fan at the same air velocity.

[0048] 3. Pressure Modulation at the Flame Front: Sound wavescreate periodic pressure variations in the air, which may provide at least one of(1) altering theflame’s chemistry by modulating reaction rates and (2) interferingwith the di!usion of fuel and oxygen into the combustion zone.

[0049] Broadband Noise and Flame Instabilities: Broadband noisecould destabilize theflame by interacting with multipleflame instabilities, leadingto suppression across a wide range of flame behaviors.

[0050] Interaction with Chemical Reactions: Low-intensity sound maydirectly influence the combustion process at a molecular level by at least one of(1) modulating di!usion rates of reactants and (2) localizing turbulence that alterstheflame’s shape and reaction zone.

[0051] There is clearly “something more” happening when low-intensity soundextinguishesfires. The observed suppression e!ects likely involve complex inter-actions between acoustic waves, heat transfer, and combustion chemistry, beyondsimple airflow or shockwave mechanisms. Thus acousticfirefighting is an untappedmechanism that warrants further development as provided in this disclosure, espe-cially for applications infire control and energy-e”cientfirefighting.

[0052] That said, it is clear that both high-intensity and low-intensity acous-tic phenomena exist that are capable of extinguishing afire and this can be ex-ploited. However, the ability to use sound to extinguishfires is undermined byseveral practical issues. First, the size and weight of a physical speaker are toogreat for practical transport. Second, speakers are devices that are not capableof focusing acoustic energy as this requires large phased arrays. Thus, the energyof a speaker is dispersed so that even larger power sources are needed to achievethe desired outcome. Third, large speaker can catch onfire. Fourth, speaker sizeand power do not scale well with the size of afire, and this lack of simple scalingundermines practical implementation. Fifth, a large speaker can only be used forone application. However, what is needed is both economies of scale and scope sothat other applications can lower the cost of hardware and make the devices morefinancially accessible, which indirectly helps put out large scalefires because thehardware is readily available for use.

[0053] These shortcomings are addressed in this patent disclosure by meansof directed energy technologies that provide a new way to deliver the acoustic en-ergy to extinguish afire, for example by means of light. This takes a technologythat was developed as early as 1913 (chemical explosives used infire suppression)and low-level sound as early as about 1926, and reimagines its delivery and controlto extinguishfires from a great distance and at the speed of light to reduce oreliminate the need for water, chemical suppressants, ground assets, and air assetstofight wildfires.EXPERIMENTAL DEMONSTRATION

[0054] On 2024 January 28, the author of this patent disclosure (Leo DiDo-menico) conducted what is likely thefirst known demonstration of aflame extin-guished by a light source. As shown in Fig. 4, a sequence of four images illustratesa candleflame being extinguished via a pulsed light source.

[0055] The images, presented in inverse black and white for clarity, are sepa-rated by 10 ms intervals. A single pulse from a Q-switched Neodymium YAG laserwas used, emitting infrared light at a wavelength of 1064 nm, roughly focused atthe center of theflame. Operating at the edge of its capabilities for this application,the laser was underpowered, and not all pulses successfully extinguished theflame,though many did. Each pulse delivered 2 J of energy over a duration of 3.5 ns.It is estimated that 10 to 15 infrared photons were required for a Multi-PhotonIonization (MPI) process that generated a shockwave capable of extinguishingtheflame.

[0056] The observed growth inflame size is likely due to the expanding gasesfrom the detonation of the atmosphere and fuel. In the 20 ms frame, three distinctcomponents are visible above the candle: (1) the still-burning, upward-movingwick segment, separated from the candle by the detonation; (2) the hot gases ofthe originalflame, rapidly moving away from the candle; and (3) a spray of liquidfuel droplets, likely heated and ejected from the wick or from the pool of liquidwax below theflame.

[0057] This process is inherently complex, involving phenomena such as laser-induced plasmas, convective gasflows, radiative transfer, shock waves,fluid me-chanics, phase transformations, and possibly other interactions yet to be identified.Despite the experiment’s small scale and relative ine”ciency, it marks a significantparadigm shift infirefighting technology. Instead of relying on water, manual la-bor, or traditional mechanical tools, this experiment demonstrates the potential ofenergy (e.g. light) and eventually information (e.g. fromfire location to artificialintelligence strategy) as primary agents forfire suppression. These are the elementsof an electronic warfare system directed at wildfires and potentially other kinds offires. For example, the use of lasers for shaping of combustion and detonationproducts in rocket engines among other applications.

[0058] This patent disclosure builds on these humble early-stagefindings,detailing methods for extinguishingfires using directed light energy. The light canbe focused within theflame, as demonstrated here, or used to induce atmosphericdetonations outside theflame to create shockwaves or acoustic e!ects that suppresscombustion. These methods lay the groundwork for a new era infirefighting (andother applications), where precision and advanced energy systems replace tradi-tional techniques.SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0059] This disclosure presents the principles and embodiments of a photopy-rokineticfire suppression system designed to address wildfires and otherfire sce-narios. The system enables remote and rapidfire suppression at electronic speedsby utilizing directed energy signals, such as structured light pulse trains, preciselyconfigured in space and time. These signals create targeted regions of atmosphericelectrical breakdown and gas detonation within or around thefire to extinguishingit.

[060] The series of atmospheric detonations produces plasma and pulsetrains that generate intense acoustic energy, which is focused on thefire. Thisenergy disrupts thefire through multiple mechanisms, including cooling, disrupt-ing airflow to the combustion zone, and altering the chemical reactions that sustaincombustion. Additionally, the system may induce nonlinear atmospheric interac-tions, shock waves, and hypersonic sound waves to further suppress thefire.

[0061] By leveraging these advanced mechanisms, the system achieves e”-cient, remotefire suppression, even at significant distances, o!ering a transforma-tive approach to combating wildfires and other challengingfire scenarios.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0062] The foregoing discussion is only an introduction and other objects,features, aspects, advantages and applications will become apparent from the fol-lowing detailed description and drawings of physical principles given by way ofillustration. Note thatfigures are often drawn for improved clarity of the un-derlying physical principles, are not necessarily drawn to scale, and have certainidealizations introduced to show the essence of the method and embodiments tomake descriptions clear. Also note that drawings of embodiments have referencedesignations to point to specific features, while theoretical images that are used todevelop mathematical principles may have descriptions and mathematical variablesprinted directly thereon, to assist in clarity of presentation. Finally, some blackand white dot images are provided to document historically important background.FIG. 1 shows a 1926 news paper summary stating that putting outfires with soundis possible, as demonstrated by Charles Kellogg of California USA. This imagewas taken from an online Microfiche or Microfilm source taken from the newspaper archives.FIG. 2 shows an image of naturalist Charles Kellogg, the father of using continuouslow-intensity sound as a means to extinguishfire, circa 1926.FIG. 3 shows a record disk of sounds used by Charles Kellogg to extinguishfires.Note the accompanying label, circa 1926.FIG. 4 shows demonstration of photopyrokenesis by means of a sequence of fourphotos of a candleflame being extinguished using laser light. The image isshown in inverse black and white for clarity.FIG. 5 shows a stand of trees engulfed in a forestfire to show di!erent regions offire dynamics.FIG. 6 shows a cross section of an intense light beam detonating air to produce anacoustic wave over time.FIG. 7 shows a cross section of three example plasma structures that are used toconstruct more complex plasma structures to create acoustic sources in theatmosphere.FIG. 8 shows a cross section of several atmospheric detonations for afirst time-stepin a light-induced space-time acoustic array.FIG. 9 shows a cross section of several atmospheric detonations for a second time-step in a light-induced space-time acoustic array.FIG. 10 shows a cross section of several atmospheric detonations for a third time-step in a light-induced space-time acoustic array.FIG. 11 shows a cross section of several atmospheric detonations for a fourth time-step in a light-induced space-time acoustic array.FIG. 12 shows a cross section of a atmospheric detonation zone, comprising inputelectromagnetic radiation, avalanche breakdown of the atmosphere, and thegeneration of a focused beam of acoustic energy.FIG. 13 shows a plurality of accelerating directed energy beams that bend in theatmosphere so that a remote source of structured light can target afire somelarge distance away that is also on the ground to avoid the need for airbornefirefighting equipment such as manned aircraft and drones.FIG. 14 shows a rectangular cross-section structured light beam that can can bendthrough free-space without the need for refraction or reflection or any otherinteraction with matter for the curved trajectory.FIG. 15 shows magnitude and phase of the source excitation for a lightfield thatcan bend light without interacting with matter for refraction, reflection andother optical phenomena.FIG. 16 shows a plane wave with a discontinuity of ω radians in phase, whichcreates a false wavefront artifact in the r direction even though propagationis in the z-direction.FIG. 17 shows a Toroidal-Poloidal-Radial coordinate system used in developing acurved light beam solution to Maxwell’s equations.FIG. 18 shows a light beam moving around a nearly circular orbit and an associ-ated constant wavefront in the form of a spiral helicoid. In practice, only aportion of this beam is used to bridge from the source to the wildfire.FIG. 19 shows a light beam moving around a circular orbit and an associatedconstant wavefront in the form of a twisting sheet around the beam core. Inpractice, only a portion of this beam is used to bridge from the source to thewildfire.FIG. 20 shows a single section of a multi-plane mode converter used in controllingelectromagneticfields to ionize the atmosphere.FIG. 21 shows in perspective a multi-plane mode converter that converts one ver-sion of beamed energy into another by means of multiple phase screens.FIG. 22 shows a perspective schematic of a colloid with ellipsoidal nanoparticles,which is surrounded by a nearfield phased array antenna that is used tomanipulate the nanoparticles by dielectrophoretic forces and torques in astress-liquid to allow nanoparticle migration only after a threshold force ortorque is reached to change the optical phase shift provided by the colloidonly in one phase-screen pixel.FIG. 23 Shows components of colloid refractive index tensor as a function of theaspect ratio of particle aspect ratio. Thefigure assumes silicone oil calledPDMS, as the host liquid.FIG. 24 Typical bulk refractive index of the materials used to make a nanoparticlecolloid for a phase screen based on a multi-plane mode converter .FIG. 25 Specific Attenuation in units of dB / km. Attenuation cross electromag-netic spectrum, at sea level under various weather conditions for radiationthat is propagating parallel to the Earth. Rain at 4 mm / h, fog at 100 mvisibility, STD (Standard atmosphere) 7.5 g / m3 water vapor, and 2 x STD(Humid conditions) at 15 g / m3 water vapor.FIG. 26 Shows the elements of a wildfire suppression system based on photopy-rokinetics.

[0002] THE WRITTEN DESCRIPTIONBACKGROUND

[063] Large-scale forestfires, such as the one depicted in Fig. 5, can reachheights of over 100 meters, especially in forests with towering trees like redwoods.A groundfire 5a typically generates a radiated heat intensity of approximately 100kW / m2 within the combustion zone, with temperatures around 900°C (1,652°F).In contrast, a canopyfire 5b can access more oxygen, leading to a significantlyhigher radiated heat of up to 500 kW / m2 at 1,400°C (2,552°F).

[0064] For afirefighting method to be e!ective, it must penetrate deep intothefire and disrupt its physical processes at temperatures exceeding 1,500°C, whereradiant emittance surpasses 500 kW / m2. Additionally, the method must functionindependently of wind speeds, which can escalate to hurricane levels in mountainousareas or as thefire draws in oxygen from its surroundings. It should also remain un-a!ected by debris in the air, such as water mist, ash, embers, and dust. Moreover,firefighting personnel should be located far from thefire or eliminated altogetherwith an automatedfire suppression system that attacks thefire at electronic speeds.LIGHT-INDUCED ATMOSPHERIC DETONATION

[0065] In this disclosure, a powerful, focused, and e”cient Directed En-ergy (DE) light beam is introduced as a novel method for extinguishingfires.This system employs a groundbreaking technique termed photopyrokinesis [Pho-toPyroKinesis (PPK)], which refers to the control or suppression offire throughthe use of light. Derived from the Greek roots photo (light), pyro (fire), and kinesis(movement or control), the term encapsulates the concept of using electromagneticenergy, in the form of light, to influence, manipulate, and / or extinguishfire.

[0066] Photopyrokinesis leverages directed light energy from high power la-sers, millimeter-wave tubes, and other sources to generate structured light beamsthat interact with the atmosphere, inducing phenomena such as acoustic shock-waves and nonlinear e!ects. These interactions disrupt the combustion processby denying airflow, interfering with chemical reactions, or directly suppressing thefire. This innovative approach marks a significant advancement infire suppres-sion, harnessing the transformative power of light to control one of nature’s mostdestructive forces.

[0067] Other applications may use the same photopyrokinesis for enhancingfires by sculpting the region around thefire to more e!ectively control combustionand detonations.

[0068] To ensure linguistic clarity: photopyrokinesis is a noun; photopyroki-netic is its adjective form; photopyrokinesize is the verb; and photopyrokinesizingis its present participle / adjective form. These derivatives allow for precise descrip-tions of actions, characteristics, or processes, and may be used interchangeablywith the acronym PPK, depending on context. Standing alone, PPK refers tophotopyrokinesis as described.

[0069] Expanding the concept, photopyrokinesis (manipulatingfire withlight as the primary energy source) contrasts with acoustopyrokinesis (manipu-latingfire with sound as the primary energy source). This disclosure advances pho-topyrokinesis, i.e. beyond acoustopyrokinesis which is the purely acoustic methodsof prior art. Here we incorporate light and electromagneticfields intofire suppres-sion. This progression from acoustopyrokinesis to photopyrokinesis represents theevolution of fire suppression technologies using DE methods.

[0070] For the avoidance of doubt, photopyrokinesis removes the need fora material acoustic transducer, like a speaker or chemical explosives, to producesound directly in prior art disclosures, and replaces it with one or more light sources.

[0071] Furthermore, this disclosure defines photoaerokinesis [PhotoAero-Kinesis (PAK)] as the broader science of manipulating the atmosphere with lightfor applications that may be outside of firefighting. More generally still, aeroki-nesis encompasses atmospheric manipulation using arbitrary energy forms andkinds, such as but not limited to: sound, ionizing radiation, photonic quantumentanglement, and classical electromagneticfields.

[0072] Focusing specifically onfires, PPK alters thefire’s environment from aremote location, generating acoustic energy near thefire through spatially and tem-porally shaped electromagnetic (EM)fields. Thesefields are typically designedto move though the atmosphere andfire with minimal attenuation, delivering en-ergy precisely to where it is needed to extinguish thefire e”ciently and as safely aspossible. The shaped EM energy is focused into one or more specific space-time re-gions, inducing electrical breakdown and producing controlled electrical discharges.This produces a kind of opto-electronically formed lighting and thunder.

[0073] This process need not rely on simple Gaussian beams but can employa superposition of structured light modes, including but not limited to boomerangbeams, vortex beams (similar to smoke rings but for EMfields) and orthogonalLaguerre-Gaussian modes from multiple remote sources, as well as others developedin this disclsoure. These modes can form any desired spatial configuration viasuperposition. For example, structured boomerang light beams enable intense lightto traverse curved trajectories from one ground-based location to a remote region,thereby eliminating the need for aerial assets, such as aircraft, infire suppression.

[0074] There are four possible mechanisms for the electromagneti-cally induced breakdown of air that are considered here:

[0075] 1. MULTI-PHOTON IONIZATION (MPI): Light in the ul-traviolet, visible, and near-infrared ranges can enable MPI, liberating electronsand forming an expanding plasma. This process generates a detonation shockwavewith overpressure, disrupting thefire’s environment. MPI is most e”cient whenphoton energies are high enough to interact directly with atmospheric atoms andmolecules. Herein, MPI means one or more photons.

[0076] 2. ELECTRON TUNNELING: When photon energy is insu”-cient for MPI, intense electromagneticfields can induce electron tunneling. Inthis quantum process, bound electrons tunnel to become free electrons. While elec-tron tunneling relies exclusively on the internal workings of atmospheric atoms andmolecules, it requires extremely high electromagneticfield intensities and may beless e”cient than multi-photon absorption.

[0077] The distinction between MPI and tunneling is described in the rigor-ous Keldysh Theory where the full quantum theory is developed. See for example,Ionization in thefield of a strong electromagnetic wave, Keldysh, L. V., Sov. Phys.JETP-Ussr 20, 1307–1314 (1965) AND Tunnel and multiphoton ionization of atomsand ions in a strong laserfield, Popov, V. S., (Keldysh Theory). Phys. -Usp. 47,855–885 (2004). A pivotal outcome of these works is the Keldysh parameter ε,which is developed to distinguish when ionization conditions favor MPI or tunnel-ing.

[078] 3. RELATIVISTIC RUNAWAY ELECTRON AVALANCHE(RREA): At lower photon energies, such as those in the microwave range, freeelectrons in the atmosphere can be accelerated to relativistic speeds (greater than10% of the speed of light) by intense electricfields. These high-energy electronsionize additional atoms in collisions, initiating a cascade of free electrons. Thisprocess, known as RREA, results in an exponential increase in electron densityand can sustain energies between 1–10 MeV in strongfields.

[0079] RREA leverages preexisting atmospheric free electrons from naturalsources like cosmic rays, ultraviolet radiation, and evenfire-generated ionization.The resulting air breakdown mimics an electrical discharge, similar to lightning,creating a conductive plasma that supports shockwave generation. The energygained in RREA exceeds collision losses, allowing continuous acceleration until theelectricfield diminishes in space or time.

[0080] 4. SATURATED ELECTRON AVALANCHE (SEA): SEAoperates similarly to RREA, but di!ers in that electron velocities remain non-relativistic. Energy gain is balanced by collision losses, preventing a runaway ef-fect. While less energetic, SEA still produces su”cient free electrons for plasmaformation and electrical discharge. See Table 1 for comparison of SEA and RREA.

[0081] An important consideration is the Free Electron Density in Com-bustion Environments. Under standard atmospheric conditions, free electrondensity is low, ranging from 102 to 104 electrons / cm3. In combustion zones,such as wildfires, electron density increases dramatically, reaching 1010 to 1014electrons / cm3, depending on fuel type,flame temperature, and additives. Firescreate localized plasmas, with gas densities reduced by 30%–50% due to thermalexpansion, providing favorable conditions for RREA. Note thatfire plasmas aresubstantially neutral with positive ion cores and negative electrons. However, theelectrons are low mass and can be separated from the ions cores with su”cientelectricfields.

[0082] In the RREA process forfire suppression, electrons gain su”cientenergy from the electricfield to accelerate far beyond the speed of the slower-moving positive ions, creating localized charge imbalances. These imbalancesgenerate strong Coulomb forces that drive rapid recombination, releasing energyand causing adiabatic expansion. The resulting temperature can exceed three tofive times the temperature at the surface of the sun, producing shockwaves capableof disrupting the combustion process. As the plasma temperature is so muchTable 1: Comparison of SEA and RREA ProcessesCharacteristic SEA RREAElectron Speeds Non-relativistic (low energies) Relativistic (high energies)Electric Field High but below RREA thresholds Extremely high (kV / mm)Energy Gain vs. Loss Balanced by collision losses Energy gain exceeds lossesPrimary Mechanism Electron impact ionization Runaway acceleration of e →Collision Frequency High (short mean free path (MFP) Low (longer MFP )Other Phenomena Electrical breakdown, plasma forms Plasma, gamma-rayflashesTypical Occurrence Laser-induced plasmas, discharges Intense Thunderstormsgreater than typical wildfires, therefore afire typically has no negative impact onthe formation of a plasma for PPKfire suppression.

[0083] Focused electromagnetic pulses at frequencies, for example, between100 Hz and 1000 Hz can repetitively induce RREA, generating acoustic shockwavesthat deny thefire airflow and other critical conditions for sustained burning. Thesepulses operate e!ectively within the elevated temperatures of wildfires, convertinglight energy into acoustic energy capable of extinguishing thefire.

[0084] KEY POINTS OF PHOTOPYROKINESIS:1. Mechanism: PPK leverages shaped electromagneticfields to induce at leastone of MPI, electron-tunneling, RREA and SEA, depending on the wave-length,field intensity, and atmospheric conditions.2. E!ciency: The natural ionization within afire lowers the threshold electricfield required for breakdown, enabling e”cient initiation of the suppressionprocess, especially for SEA and RREA. Thisfire ionization is only a secondorder e!ect for MPI, though mixed processes like SEA and MPI are possible.3. Outcome: Repeated light pulses generate space-time acoustic arrays in theatmosphere that focus intense acoustic waves to form shockwave waves at thefire, pulverizing burning fuel (e.g. wood) and disrupting thefire environment(e.g. airflow) and extinguishing combustion. The plasma space-time acousticarrays launch linear sound waves, but as the sound waves focus the densityof the air can become so high that sound waves move faster forming abruptshock wave edges. In extreme cases this can also ionize the air. Light inducedshock waves can extinguishfires, just like dynamite-formed shockwaves canextinguishfires.

[0085] Below is a commonly used model that relates the electricfield thresh-old, Ethreshold, to the gas density, ngas, in terms of the density at standard tem-perature and pressure (n 190), which is approximately 2.7 → 10 molecules per cubiccentimeter it also includes a reference free-charge-density that is in the range of106 to 108 electrons per cubic meter at standard atmospheric conditions, which isbased on the Saha Ionization Equation( ) ) where kB is Boltzmann’s constant and the absolute temperature T e!ects the ionconcentration so tofirst order() √ where ne,0 occurs at T = T0 ↓ 298 K, which is room temperature. Thereforewe find that the dielectric breakdown strength of air at standard conditions isapproximately E0 = 3 kV / mm. This is valid for RREA and SEA. In this waywe can account for the electricfield threshold at di!erent atmospheric conditions.Therefore, we can express the electricfield threshold for RREA as a function ofthe reduced air density, taking into account the lower density in thefire-a!ectedregion. Note that in afire, gas density is about 30% to 50% of the atmosphericdensity and wefind that Ethreshold is roughly 1 kV / mm. When there are convectivewinds the pressure can be even lower and Ethreshold might even be as low as roughly0.5 kV / mm.

[0086] For MPI there is a di!erent equivalent Eth. In what follows, a veryapproximate derivation is provided. Rigorous results requires the solution of atime-dependent quantum mechanics problem, which is more technical rigor than isnecessary here to demonstrate the essence of the underlying physics.In particular, the ionization energy of the atmosphere is the molar fractionweighted sum of the ionization energy of the constituent atmospheric gases and wefind the average ionization energy as Eion = 12.1 eV and slightly higher perhaps inhumid conditions where the water vapor has an ionization energy of about 12.6 eV.Therefore, the number of photons needed to ionize the atmosphere is given in termsof the ceiling function as⌈ ⌉ where Eph is the photon energy. Therefore, the power P of the electromagenticfieldthat is delivered to the molecule that is undergoing ionization is P = NEph / #t,where Eph is a photon’s energy, N is the number of photons, and #t is the capturetime of the molecule where the photons are “simultaneously” captured by themolecule to liberate an electron.

[0087] Thus, the quantity #t defines the idea of what it means for N photonsto be simultaneously captured by the molecule being ionized. However, by thequantum uncertainty principle #t#E ↔ ⊋ / 2. So, taking #E ↔ Eion we get where I have now ignored the ceiling function for large enough N with in an ap-proximate analysis.

[0088] Next, the intensity of the light beam (Watts / per unit area) is S =P / #A = P / (ω#r2) where #r is the photon’s spatial uncertainty (e.g., beam spotsize on molecule) and its overlap with the molecule. However, by the uncertaintyprinciple the radius is uncertain so that #r #p ↔ ⊋ / 2 where #p is the uncertaintyin momentum transfer to the molecule during the interaction with the photon.

[0089] However, momentum is #p = ⊋k = h / ϑ, so that on combining theexpression of S, P , and #r we get

[090] Next, we note that the threshold electricfield intensity Eth is alsogiven through S = E2thϖ0c / 2, so on equating the two expressions of S wefind that While this equation was derived for a single molecule it is easy to see that theaverage is a wighted sum over the constituents of the atmosphere, comprising about78% nitrogen, 21% oxygen, 1% argon, and then an addition of water from humidity,which is wether dependent. Nitrogen has an ionization energy of about 15.6 eV,oxygen has an ionization energy of about 12.1 eV, argon has an ionization energyof about 15.8 eV, and water vapor has an ionization energy of about 12.6 eV. Theaverage (dry) ionization energy is then about 12.1 eV, but e”cient ionization ofall the di!erent molecules would take about 15.8 eV. So it takes about 13 photonshaving a 1 micron wavelength to fully ionize air molecules. So Eq. 7 holds onaverage as well.

[0091] At elevated temperatures T relaive to a baseline at say T0 = 300 Kthen very approximately we heuristically expect tofirst order that( ) and at 1 micron wavelength and an ionization energy of 12.1 eV we have about8 kV / mm as the atmospheric ionizationfield strength threshold, which is withinthe range of roughly 1 kV / mm to 10 kV / mm reported in literature.FOCUSED DIRECTED ENERGY:

[0092] This section introduces the concept of synthesized spatial gain in thecontext of photopyrokineticfire suppression systems. In conventional electromag-netic (EM) systems, where the antenna aperture is on the order of the wavelengthor slightly larger, the term ”gain” refers to the angular concentration of electro-magnetic radiation into a specific solid angle, rather than allowing it to spreadover the entire 4ω steradians. However, when the aperture is significantly largerthan the wavelength—such as in the case of a lens or a large phased array—a moregeneralized concept of gain is required to account for focused energy rather thanangular divergence alone.

[0093] Using Gaussian optics, the minimum focus region can be described bythe radiusϑf w0= (8) ωDwhere ϑ is the free-space wavelength, f is the focal length, and D is the diameterof the circular aperture. At a significant distance from the source, the Poyntingvector’s magnitude at the focal point is given by where P represents the power of the EM signal. To account for engineeringflexi-bility, we define w = ϱw0, where ϱ ↘ 1 is a rescaling factor for the minimum radiusw0. This gives By substituting P = ω(D / 2)2S0, where S0 is the intensity at the source aperture,and combining with the Gaussian optics expression for w0, we derive() () whereby the optical gain is() () In addition to spatial gain, the system incorporates pulse compression gain, wherethe pulse duration is compressed from ς1 to ς2 without energy loss so thatP2ς2 and the pulse compression gain is where ς1 > ς2. A typical value is GP = 100. Combining these gains, the free-spacepower density can be expressed as where S0 = 377 ohms is the free-space impedance. Unlike conventionalmicrowave link equations, no distance-squared spreading loss is included becausethe beam comprises structured light (e.g., modified Bessel beams, vortex beams,or boomerang beams) that exhibit properties like di!raction resistance and self-healing.

[094] Additionally, as can be seen in Fig. 25, there is an atmospheric lossassociated with the beamed energy, typically specified in decibels per kilometer, sothere is a linear loss ofL = 10→L fkm / 10 (15)where f is typically the focal length in meters, fkm is the focal length converted tokm units, and L is the specific attention from Fig. 25 in units of dB / km. Therefore,S = S →L f0 GO GP 10 km / 10 . (16)Laser and mm-wave manufacturers often specify S1 = GPS0, so the equation sim-plifies to In terms of pulse energy Eε and duration ς , where P = Eε / ς , we obtain() [( ) ()] or equivalently() () However, the unit-less area rescaling factor ϱ2, is to be chosen with engineeringsafety margins in mind so that the intensity S is greater than what is needed foratmospheric detonation. A typical value is perhaps 3x greater than needed for theonset of atmospheric detonation. This ideally still allows the focus area to be largeenough so that the threshold electricfield is achieved to induce plasma formationin the atmosphere by at least one of quantum tunneling, MPI, RREA, and SEA.Therefore, () () so that approximately() () where Eth may range from about 1 kV / mm to 10 kV / mm for quantum tunneling,RREA, SEA, and MPA. The maximum detonation region area is tofirst order where Amin is the minimum area required for atmospheric detonation. This detona-tion area serves as a resource for constructing a space-time acoustic array, enablingfocused acoustic energy to create shockwaves at thefire location.

[0095] The area resource is the area ADET and it is only an approximation.So the idea is that we adjust the pulse energy Eε, pulse duration ς , focal length f ,wavelength ϑ, source diameter D, and area de-rating ϱ2 so that we can ensure thatEqs. 21-22 are true.

[0096] Shockwaves form due to nonlinear propagation, where high-intensitysound waves increase local air pressure, accelerating compression regions fasterthan rarefaction regions. This leads to a shockwave that extinguishes thefire ef-ficiently, minimizing energy dissipation during propagation. Linear sound wavestransport energy e”ciently to the focus region, where shockwaves form, makingthe photopyrokinetic process both targeted and energy-e”cient.TWO PRIMARY LIGHT BANDS:

[0097] Infrared light can be generated easily using commercial o!-the-shelfcomponents and is not subject to Federal Communications Commission (FCC),and similar international, regulations. While it penetrates smoke-filled environ-ments significantly better than visible light, it is less e!ective than millimeter-wave(mm-wave) light in penetrating rainy or smoke-filled regions. In contrast, mm-wavebeams excel in traversing water-laden skies and bypassing atmospheric debris fromfires, but their use is subject to FCC regulations. Moreover, mm-wave systemsare typically larger, more complex, and more expensive than laser-based infraredsystems. Consequently, an infrared system may be more practical for initial de-velopment due to its cost-e!ectiveness and ease of implementation with existingtechnology, even though it lacks the penetration capabilities of mm-wave systemsfor deeply embeddedfires.BEAM FORMING:

[0098] A significant aspect of PPK technology involves the creation of struc-tured light beams designed to perform specialized functions. These include bend-ing along curved trajectories as accelerated beams for ground-to-groundfirefighting,forming vortexfields, or transforming an initial light beam into a focused beam ata designated Atmospheric Detonation Zone (ADZ). Within this ADZ, atmo-spheric ionization generates shaped ”lightning” that subsequently produces focused”thunder,” propagating as linear sound waves. These sound waves are then focusedto create acoustic shock waves (non-linear waves) near or within thefire. The re-sulting shock waves disrupt thefire through multiple mechanisms, as previouslydescribed. Pulses, potentially from di!erent remote sources, may also converge sothe electricalfields add in the ADZ to produce an expanding plasma shockwave.Additionally, the ADZ may be outside or inside of afire.

[0099] At mm-wave bands, beam forming is often done with modules thathave phase and amplitude control. However, this can become cost prohibitive. Inanother approach, inspired by optical technologies, we can use the idea of modematching with spatial light modulators or their equivalent. In particular, a multi-plane mode converter (MPMC) can be employed to match the desired complexoutput modes in space and time with input modes that are easy to produce.HIDDEN SPACES & EMBERS:

[0100] The ability to extinguish a fire often requires an ability to accesshidden spaces where thefire exists. In trees this may be the inside of a hollowed outwooden structure. With su”cient energy it is possible to pulverize a tree to exposethe inside where thefire is protected from external processes to extinguish it. Thismay result in substantial discharge of embers that, if not managed property, couldstart newfires even as the originalfire is extinguished. To combat this possibilityadditional containment shockwaves can be deployed to provide forces that restrictembers from escaping into the external environment of thefire.

[0101] Additionally, the use of millimeter-wave technology, may allow manyburning structures to be extinguished because of the ability of millimeter-wave lightto pass through wood, rock and concrete. This allowsfirefighting to occur with-out disrupting and breaking apart the burning structures and liberating additionalembers. MISCELLANEOUS:

[102] Note that the light induced sound can be used as a “speaker” tocommunicate to people in the region that thefire suppression e!ort is about tocommence and warn them to leave the area or take shelter in a suitable way.The light can paint instructions in the sky and the sound can provide audibleinstructions.

[103] Also note that the atmospheric detonation can be used to startfiresfor controlled burns of the forest for woodland management and even to remotelycreatefire breaks. Other applications to power, protect, and propel also exist.REFERENCES: 1. Light Bends Itself into an Arc, Zhigang Chen, Department of Physics andAstronomy, San Francisco State University, San Francisco, CA 94132, USA,April 16, 2012, Physics 5, 44, http: / / link.aps.org / doi / 10.1103 / Physics.5.442. Nondi!racting Accelerating Wave Packets of Maxwell’s Equations, Ido Kaminer,et. al. PRL 108, 163901 (2012), and having a Digital Object Identifier ofhttps: / / doi.org / 10.1103 / PhysRevLett.108.163901 3. Optic large deflection cantilever beam (OLDCB) method, Journal of Optoelec-tronics and Advanced Materials, Vol. 23, No. 11-12, November – December2021, p. 538-5424. Observation of resilient propagation and free-space skyrmions in toroidal elec-tromagnetic pulses, ACS Photonics, Ren Wang, Pan-Yi Bao; Zhi-Qiang Hu;Shuai Shi, Bing-Zhong Wang, Nikolay I. Zheludev, Yijie Shen, Appl. Phys.Rev. 11, 031411 (2024); doi: 10.1063 / 5.0218207, 2 August 2024.5. High E”ciency Triple-Helix Solenoid Beam Generated by Dielectric Metasur-face, Maryam Setareh, Robert De Gille, Jasper Cadusch, Dandan Wen, Se-jeong Kim, and Kenneth B. Crozier, ACS Photonics Letter, doi: 10.1021 / ac-sphotonics.4c00874. 6. Observation of resilient propagation and free-space skyrmions in toroidal elec-tromagnetic pulses, Ren Wang, Pan-Yi Bao, Zhi-Qiang Hu, Shuai Shi, Bing-Zhong Wang, Nikolay I. Zheludev, Yijie Shen, Appl. Phys. Rev. 11, 031411(2024), doi: 10.1063 / 5.02182077. Optical atompilz: Propagation-invariant strongly longitudinally polarized toroidalpulses, Ren Wang, Ding-Tao Yang, Tao Xin; Shuai Shi, Bing-Zhong Wang,Yijie Shen, Appl. Phys. Lett. 125, 111101 (2024), doi: 10.1063 / 5.02186868. U.S. Patent No. 10,569,115, published on February 24, 2020, titled “Meth-ods and Systems for Disrupting Phenomena with Waves.” Interestingly, thepatent examiner appears to have been unaware of Charles Kellogg’s earlierdiscovery. 9. Ionization in thefield of a strong electromagnetic wave, Keldysh, L. V., Sov.Phys. JETP-Ussr 20, 1307–1314 (1965).10. Tunnel and multiphoton ionization of atoms and ions in a strong laserfield,Popov, V. S., (Keldysh Theory). Phys. -Usp. 47, 855–885 (2004)DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTIONPLASMA DETONATIONS:

[0104] Fig. 6 depicts a cross-sectional view of an idealized light-induced det-onation zone 6a. The zone is created by input light 6b, shown schematically alongwith its focused representation bounded by thefirst and second light boundaries6c and 6d. As the intense light propagates into the focus region, it interactswith atmospheric atoms and molecules, forming a plasma 6e through mechanismssuch as Multi-Photon Ionization (MPI), Electron Tunneling, Relativistic RunawayElectron Avalanche (RREA), or Saturated Electron Avalanche (SEA).

[0105] This plasma emits broadband light 6f , creating what can be describedas a synthesized “lightning.” The resulting detonation generates a shockwave, anal-ogous to “thunder,” comprising alternating acoustic low-pressure regions 6g andhigh-pressure regions 6h. The acoustic energy propagates outward from the ion-ization region, as indicated schematically by acoustic propagation arrows 6i.

[0106] The shape of the plasma 6e is determined by the structure of theinput light 6b, which typically originates from a pulsed electromagnetic beamgenerated by a laser or high-power millimeter-wave source. Although Fig. 6 presentsa two-dimensional cross-section, it should be noted that both the light and plasmadistributions are inherently three-dimensional structures.

[0107] The intense plasma can generate either a shockwave or an impulsivesound wave. A single pulse of incident light produces a corresponding single pulseof acoustic energy. More precisely, a light-induced impulse in both space and timecreates a matching impulse response in space and time. When multiple laser pulsesare used, they result in a series of acoustic impulse responses that combine addi-tively, following the principles of convolution, as long as the system remains withinthe linear response range of the atmosphere. This linearity typically holds true atshort distances from the plasma initiation point, making it a reliable approximationfor the beam-forming process.

[0108] Fig. 7 illustrates cross-sectional views of typical idealized plasmashapes generated during the atmospheric ionization process. The simplest shapeis a disk 7a, which can result from three-dimensional structures such as spheres,rods, or ellipsoids. Another common shape is a long, thin rectangle 7b, derivedfrom three-dimensional rods or plates. Additionally, an annulus 7c represents thecross-section of a three-dimensional toroidal plasma. These shapes, and others, canbe combined in various ways to form complex plasma structures in space and time.Such configurations allow for the creation of advanced geometries that can be usedfor beam-forming of acoustic energy.

[0109] Thus, a single structured light pulse can generate an acoustic plasmasource in space and time within the atmosphere. The resulting acoustic energypropagates according to the wave equation: where r is the position vector, t represents time, v is the speed of sound in thehomogeneous medium (such as air), ↼ denotes the scalar pressure or density vari-ations in the air, and is the source function describing the over-pressure orover-density responsible for inducing acousticfluctuations in the atmosphere. Thislinear equation is particularly useful for modeling most acoustic interactions withinthe medium.

[0110] However, at the focus of acoustic energy, the density of air in com-pression can become very high, causing the wave velocity v to exceed the speedof sound typically observed in low-intensity acoustic interactions. Conversely, inregions of rarefaction, where the air density is reduced, the velocity of sound de-creases. This variation in wave velocity sets the stage for the transformation of alinear wave into a shock wave. In such cases, the wave velocity becomes a functionof the pressurefield,

[111] While this may seem counterintuitive, it is important to recall thatthe speed of sound increases with the density of the medium. At high pressuresand densities, the linear relationship between pressure and density—such as thatdescribed by the ideal gas law—no longer applies, leading to much more complexwave and shockwave behavior. Without going into the mathematics, the criticalpoint is that the locally high-density regions within a wave cause those parts of thewave to propagate faster, while lower-density regions slow down. This di!erentialpropagation speed ultimately results in the formation of a shock wave edge. Thisis especially useful near the focus of acoustic wavefronts as it allows shockwaves toengage afire just like the shockwaves of an explosive.

[0112] For linear acoustic waves formed by a single transient pulse, the pres-sure response, referred to as Green’s functions G (or impulse response), is deter-mined by the geometry of the plasma source. This can be expressed as:^ ↑t↑ ↑ r / v), Spherical t ↑ t↑ ↑ r / v), CylindricalHere, r represents the spherical or cylindrical radius depending on the source geom-etry, and ⇀ is the Dirac delta function for continuous systems or the Kronecker deltafunction for discrete systems. For repeated detonations, such as those producedby a laser pulse train with a constant pulse repetition frequency, the response inphasor space becomes:^ In these cases, the source is assumed to be at the origin of the correspondingcoordinate system. The formation of a space-time solution from such responses isachieved through convolution. For discrete plasma sources, this is given by:∑ whereas for continuous distributions of plasma, the solution is:ˆ ↼(r, t) = f(r↑, t↑)G(r ↑ r↑, t ↑ t↑) dr↑ dt↑. (27)These equations illustrate theflexibility inherent in forming space-time acousticarrays, enabling precise control over the resulting wave patterns. Those skilled inthe art will recognize that this paradigm allows for extensive modifications andextensions to accommodate specific acoustic energy requirements forfirefighting.

[0113] What makes this approach so unique is its departure from traditionalmethods. Unlike antennas or acoustic transducers, which arefixed in space andoften constrained to planar or horn-like configurations (such as a conventionalspeaker), this method leverages the entire three-dimensional space to synthesizeacousticfields over time. By using atmospheric detonations as sources, we candynamically control the acoustic energy distribution in ways that were previouslyimpossible. The key requirement is a four-dimensional space-time lightfield withsu”cient intensity to generate arbitrary plasma distributions in space and time.Once achieved, this capability allows for precise manipulation of the atmosphereand, ultimately, control over afire.

[0114] Fig. 8 illustrates how Eq. 26 can be applied in a simple cross-sectionalexample. Here, multiple light-induced atmospheric detonations generate a corre-sponding plurality of acoustic waves that combine in space. Both the light-inducedplasma and the resulting acoustic waves are shown in thefigure, despite the vastlydi!erent time scales involved. The plasma formation occurs on the order of nanosec-onds to femtoseconds, while the sound wave propagation operates on a microsecondto millisecond timescale.

[0115] What sets this approach apart is its ability to transcend the limitationsof traditional systems. Unlike conventional antennas or acoustic transducers, whicharefixed in space and constrained to specific configurations such as planar sourcesor horn-type designs (e.g., a typical speaker), this method utilizes the entire three-dimensional space to dynamically synthesize acousticfields over time.

[0116] The input light 8a (see right pointing arrow) ionizes the atmosphere,creating a detonation that results in a plasma ball 8b, which forms part of alinear array 8c. This process generates a local wavefront 8d of pressure, as wellas thefirst extended wavefront 8e of pressure propagating across the synthesizedarray. At time t = 0, the initial laser pulse is introduced, and the correspondingacoustic wavefront appears at time t = #t. The pressure wave at the leading edgeis depicted in a schematic over-pressure plot 8f , which illustrates the z-directionpropagation.

[117] Fig. 9 extends the process shown in Fig. 8 by incorporating anotherset of laser pulses and atmospheric detonations forming a second plasma array9a. At this stage, the second extended wavefront 9b forms as a superposition ofthe original wave (previously at t = #t) and the new wave, now both present att = 2#t. The second plasma array advances forward in the z-direction, enhanc-ing the acoustic wavefront and contributing additional energy. The leading-edgepressure wave is represented schematically in a second over-pressure plot 9c, whichshows increased overpressure compared to the initial pulse due to the convolutionof signals in space and time.

[0118] Fig. 10 and Fig. 11 illustrate subsequent steps in synthesizing anintense acoustic wavefront. New time and space locations for the acoustic energy,formed by light-induced ionization of the atmosphere are depicted.

[0119] The intensity and timing of each atmospheric detonation need notremain uniform. Variations in the strength of each detonation enable amplitudeand phase modulation within the array. For instance, tapering the amplitude froma high value at the array center to near zero at the edges can e!ectively controlside-lobe energy leakage. Additionally, implementing a roughly parabolic phaseadjustment across the laser pulses allows the acoustic wave to converge at a point-like region in space. At this focal region, nonlinear e!ects may dominate, whichwould then inducing the formation of a shock wave to extinguish afire near thefocus.

[120] Fig. 12 illustrates afire 12a that needs to be extinguished. Thefigure depicts multiple electromagnetic (EM) signals, labeled as EM signal-b 12b,EM signal-c 12c, and EM signal-d 12d. These signals schematically represent aplurality of input signals, potentially dozens, propagating toward thefire 12a.

[0121] A detonation zone 12e is created where thefields combine with suf-ficient intensity to trigger avalanche breakdown. The timing of atmospheric det-onations follows the direction of the time arrows 12f and 12g. Individual sub-detonations 12h are schematically shown as starbursts distributed throughout thedetonation zone 12e. These detonations generate an acoustic wave 12i, whichpropagates towards thefire 12a to extinguish it.

[0122] As shown in Figs. 8 through 12, these configurations are just twoexamples of the many possible arrangements that can achieve the desired outcome.These examples serve to illustrate the fundamental principles of the system andshould not be construed as limiting the scope of potential configurations.

[0123] Fig. 13 shows afire 13a that is being extinguished by a family ofcurved “accelerated” light beams 13b, which are made possible by recent exactsolutions to Maxwell’s equations. For example, one particular curved light beam13c has a curvature that matches to the distance of thefire 13a. All of the beamscome from a structured light source 13d that coverts easy-to-create EMfields withhard-to-create structured lightfields using advanced light control technologies. Inthe simplest case shown, the light beam moves down range 13e in a plane, however,di!erent modes may have non-planar trajectories.POLAR CURVED LIGHT BEAMS:

[0124] Although curved Directed Energy (DE) light beams are not neededto extinguish afire with light, they are helpful in extinguishing afire remotely byproviding a means to reach thefire without air assets, i.e. from a fire-engineor other ground-basedfire defense position. This is important for speed and forovercoming adverse weather conditions like intense winds that often fanflams andsuppress aircraftflying tofightfires. Therefore, let’s take a look at how suchcurved EM beams are possible without the need for any refraction, reflection, orany light-matter interactions once launched.

[0125] By way of example, let’s start with the scalar wave equation for atransverse electric (TE)field and let’s restrict the propagation trajectory in thexz-plane. This is not a requirement and transverse magnetic (TM) modes arealso possible. This TE example just happens to be slightly easier to analyze andis thus helpful to the reader. The wave equation for the TE mode requires thatE = Ey(x, z, t), which is y-polarized, and reduces to which is a Helmholtz equation where k = ⇁ / c. Next, the equations can be convertedinto polar coordinates by setting x = r cos θ and z = r sin θ while also takingU(r, θ) = R(r) ei ϱ ς, where α is a real number characterizing angular propagation.Taking these equations and plugging them into the Helmholtz equation in cartesiancoordinates gives( ) where R = R(r) and it has been assumed that ↽ς = 0 so that there is no changein beam profile as θ increases. Later the assumption of ↽ς = 0 may be relaxedto allow focusing of the beam even as it progresses over a curved trajectory. Fornow note that Eq. 30 is a version of Bessel’s di!erential equation with solutionsof Bessel functions of thefirst and second kind. However, Bessel functions of thesecond kind go to infinity at r = 0 and are not physically possible in this solutionso that R(r) = Jϱ(kr), and therefore Note that the Bessel functions Jϱ are well-defined for non-integer and even negativeα as the Bessel function of thefirst kind is defined by the relation where $ is the is the Gamma function, a generalization of the factorial function.For real, non-integer α, Jϱ(kr) is smooth and oscillatory, similar to the integer αcase. Non-Integer α are valid in free-space solutions of Maxwell’s equations withoutboundary constraints. The value of α can be determined by the initial conditionsof the beam (e.g., spatial phase distribution) or imposed constraints like beamcurvature. In principle, α can range over all real numbers in free-space. However,if the beam propagates around the circular trajectory then to avoid self-interferencethen α = m, which is an integer is reasonable.

[0126] It is also desired to convert back to cartesian coordinates becausethis will help with physical interpretation. The propagation of the beam (e.g.,bending in a circular trajectory or non-di!racting behavior) is often more intuitivelyunderstood in Cartesian coordinates, where the spatial structure and trajectory canbe visualized relative to a straight-line reference (e.g., z z-axis propagation). Inpractice, beam generation and manipulation typically occur in Cartesian setups(e.g., optical systems with x and z axes). Converting to Cartesian coordinateshelps bridge the theoretical model with experimental implementations. This willbe shown later in this disclosure with the development of a multi-plane modeconverter to implement the curved-trajectory solutions developed herein.

[0127] Additionally, the transformation into Cartesian coordinates facilitatesthe separation of forward- and backward-propagating components in Fourier space,which is crucial for understanding the beam’s properties (e.g., half-Bessel structureand propagation behavior). Also, while the polar solution is well-suited for circu-lar symmetry, Cartesian coordinates make it easier to understand exactly how togenerate the sourcefields to excite the desired beam-bending modes.

[0128] The forward-propagating wave satisfies the boundary condition of abeam launched at z = 0 and moving into positive z-space. Transforming to Carte-sian coordinates and decomposing the beam into Fourier components will revealthat the wave in the z > 0 direction is only part of the total solution. The re-maining part (corresponding to kz < 0 is incompatible with the physical setup andcan be discarded, leaving the forward-only “half-Bessel” structure. The apparentsymmetry in polar coordinates hides this underlying structure because polar so-lutions don’t directly di!erentiate between directions in Cartesian space. Thinkof launching a conventional laser beam along the z-axis. While mathematically,the full wave equation allows for propagation in both +z and ↑z directions, onlythe +z part aligns with the physical launch. The starting point in converting tocartesian coordinates is the polar solutionU(r, θ) = Jϱ(kr) eiϱς(33) ↗ Now observe that a Bessel function can be represented as a Fourier integral overangular coordinatesˆ where ▷ is the angular wavevector component in the xz-plane as measured fromthe x-axis towards the z-axis in a counter clockwise direction. Substituting thisinto the polar formˆ Next, let ▷↑ = ▷+θ, where θ = tan→1(x / z) is not a function of ▷ and can be treatedas a “constant.” Thenˆ Since the integration is over a full 2ω range, we can shift the bounds back to 0 to+2ω without changing the value of the integral, thus θ does not impact the integral,so θ = 0, whereby ˆ Also, r cos▷↑ = x cos▷↑ + z sin▷↑ so thatˆ ´´but this can be broken into and we see that thefirst integral is for theforward traveling waves launched at the z = 0 plane because the wave vectros areonly pointing into z ↘ 0 for 0 ⇐ ▷ ⇐ ω. So to only include forward traveling waveswe must only keep thefirst integral so thatˆ where E+y(x, z) is the y-polarized solution (TE Mode) of the electricfield that ispropagating into the z > 0 direction. The function kz) is the Half BesselFunction. There is an angular extent of “bending” of the EM beam to a maximumof θmax = ω / 2 radians as all the plane waves used to build up the solution are forwhen the wavevector is spread over angles 0 ⇐ ω.

[0129] The parameter α determines the angular momentum of the beam,which influences the position of the maximumfield strength along the radius.Therefore, the maximumfield strength corresponds to the primary lobe of theBessel function where r = x at z = 0. For Jϱ(kr), the position of thefirstmaximum depends on α and occurs approximately at rmax ↓ α / k when α is large.Therefore, on specifying a radius of curvature r0 and the wavevector magnitudek = 2ω / ϑ then we can pickα ↓ kr0 (42)

[0130] Let’s now talk about truncation of the EMfields. Thefields as cur-rently developed extends infinitely into the ±y-direction. Also, the beams extendinfinitely into the r-direction. If we truncate the r and y directions we are left witha rectangle shaped beam in cross section. This will not be a problem in practice asoften it will be possible to include thousands of oscillations of the Bessel function,which is decreasing in magnitude with increasing radius.

[0131] The Half Bessel Function should be a solution of the wave equationEq. 29. This is worth checking,ˆ where the relation = 1 was used in the last line to confirm that thesolution is an exact solution to Maxwell’s equations.

[0132] Note that if we scaled the solution so that we stretch the sourceaperture by saying that x ⇑ ax and y ⇑ ay and then we test the function kz), where z remains unscaled then wefind on checking (just like in theabove analysis) if it is a solution to the wave equation, wefind that ↑a2 + 1 ⇓= 0unless a = 1.

[0133] This means that it is not possible to scale the solution just in thesource aperture plane, which might be desired to lower the intensity to make sys-tems safer near the source. For example to not injure birds and other animalsnear the source. So instead an approach that uses multiple lower-intensity curvedbeams (e.g. all based on the Bessel beam) that converge at the focus region, i.e.the atmospheric detonation zone, is a better way to synthesize the needed outputforfirefighting and other applications and keep source intensities low for the sakeof safety. This approach also eliminates unintended atmospheric ionization whereit is not desired.

[0134] Before going into the details of the implementation it will prove usefulto connect the Half-Bessel Function to the conventional Bessel Function. Therefore,note thatˆ However, it is interesting to note that as α ↓ k r0 then dr0 ↓ dα / k. However,if we assume that α = 2m, an even integer, then the maximum change in theorder of the Bessel function is |dα| = 1 and the resulting range change associatedwith moving α to an even integer is very small. For example for an infrared signalhaving a one micron wavelength dr0 ↔ 1 µm. Such a tiny movement in the rangeof the detonation zone is inconsequential, so we can make this assumption withoutconcern. The reward for doing so is that J+ +2m(↑kr) = J2m(kr) and we can writeimmediately from the above analysis that the Half Bessel Function is just half ofthe Bessel Function . (48)Also, if α = (2m + 1), which is an odd integer, then ei (2m+1)ϑ = ↑1 and we alsonote that so that again wefind that So long as α is an integer we have the very convenient result which is much easier to appreciate using a commonly available function and is trueto its namesake as half the Bessel function.

[0135] Additionally, including a very modest parabolic phase taper to thebeam in the y- and r-directions enables gradual focusing while preserving the orig-inal solution’s properties so long as the phase taper is small for long-range focusing.This approach essentially modifies the beam to introduce controlled wavefront cur-vature, allowing the control of another degree of freedom in shaping the beamproperties and focus. This approach is provided here so that ↽ς ↓ 0 is retained,otherwise a full solution with ↽ς 0 is required. For this disclosure the approximateapproach is used to reduce the amount of mathematical required.

[0136] In particular, the original beam solution can be modified by multiply-ing it with a quadratic phase factor where ↼(r, y) introduces the phase taper where fr is the focal length for the r-directed aperture extent and fy is the focallength for the y-directed aperture extent. The parabolic phase taper acts like a lens,creating a focusing e!ect. The curvature introduced in r and y allows the beamto converge toward a focal point, modifying its propagation without significantlyaltering its initial structure. These focus distances fr and fy are along the curvedtrajectory and are therefore arc lengths. From Eq. 41 we have the next evolutionof the solution for focusing over large distances to afire, as[ { }] where is the rounding to the nearest integer of α function, #θ is the angularinterval over which the light travels from the source-plane, Jϱ is the Bessel Functionof thefirst kind, and the solution is valid approximately over the source aperture(r0 ↑ #r / 2) ⇐ x ⇐ (r0 + #r / 2) and ↑#y / 2 ⇐ y ⇐ +#y / 2.

[0137] In realistic setups, the beam is confined by an aperture or opticalsystem, e!ectively truncating thefields along y. This truncation creates afinitewidth, ymin ⇐ y ⇐ ymax, corresponding to the height of the rectangle in the beam’scross-section. Similarly, the beam is truncated radially to focus energy within afinite region, typically by limiting the aperture or introducing physical boundaries.Radial truncation to rmin ⇐ r0 ⇐ rmax defines the width of the rectangle in thecross-section and limits the beam’s propagation extent.

[0138] Note that other forms of structured light beams are possible and theBessel-defined beam is only one kind and should not limit the discussion. Thus, itrepresents a physical example to help the reader appreciate that such solutions toMaxwell’s equations do in fact exist and can bend light beams without the needfor interactions with the matter for refraction, reflection, or other phenomena thatbend a beam. The beam is self sustaining.

[0139] Fig. 14 shows an idealization of a structured-light beam 14a of theprior mathematical discussion. The beam trajectory is 14b. The beam is launchedfrom the launch plane 14c and travels through a physical angle θ. For thestructured light beam discussed above this angle has maximum extent of θmax =ω / 2 radians from the launch plane and terminates at the max-angle plane 14d. Itshould also be appreciated that in the space of wave vectors there are plane wavesused to build up the structured-light beam that cover the range 0 ⇐ ▷ ⇐ ω toform the Half Bessel Function. This somewhat overlaps the same angular regionas shown so that 0 ⇐ ▷ ⇐ ω and 0 ⇐ θ ⇐ ω / 2.

[0140] A practical structured light beam has afinite aperture of extent: ⇀yin the y-direction and ⇀x = ⇀r in the x-direction. For example, let’s say thatr = 1 km, ϑ = 1µm, and the launch aperture has an area of square profile witharea of A = ⇀y ⇀x = 1 mm2. Then k = 2ω / ϑ and α = kr0 ↓ 6, 283, 185, 307, whichwas rounded to the nearest integer as a connivance as already discussed. As theBessel function has asymptotic approximation that goes as cos we can see thatfor ⇀r = 1 mm the mode comprises no more than about 1000 complete oscillationsof the electricfield in the y-direction for the TE modes under discussion in thisexample. An example of the EM excitation at the source plane across ⇀r at z = 0is shown in Fig. 15.

[0141] Of course what is needed is a way to build a structured beam thatis 1 m2 to 10 m2 or more, not 1 mm2. To increase the size of the beam manyelementary solutions can be added together by the principle of superposition to givea slowly varying spatial function. This works because Bessel functions of di!erentorders are orthogonal over the interval [0, R], i.e. because the orthogonality relation^ provided k and R remainfixed. Moreover, a function f(r) defined on [0, R] can beexpanded as and then inverted to give the coe”cients Am by using the orthogonality relation,whereby ´ If the domain is infinite, the orthogonality for di!erent orders becomesˆ Thus, by exploiting the orthogonality of Jm(kr) and Jn(kr), it is possible to super-impose multiple modes of the same wavelength k to create tailored beam profiles The great advantage here is that if the function f(r) can be written as this sum ofBessel functions then it is also an exact solution of Maxwell’s equations and it maybe constructed with a slow varying envelope over the aperture of the electromag-netic source, which can be managed byfinite resolution spatial light modulators.The above analysis and discussion provides for rectangular aperture solutions ofTE modes that can be extended easily into TM modes.

[0142] At a deeper level the Bessel function is nothing more than a repre-sentation of a phased array excitation pattern!! The end of the pattern is highlyenergized and this magnitude, spacing, and phase, which alternates between 0 andω radians from element to element.

[0143] In Fig. 16 a plot of a segment of plane waves is shown leaving thesource plane at z = 0. The plane waves are moving in the z-direction. However,along the r-direction there is a Jϱ variation. This carries a ω radian phase shiftevery time the Bessel function goes from positive to negative along the transitionline 16a. This is visible here in this plot. Notice that even though the propagationis in the z-direction there is still a kind of phase front that has a normal in ther-direction due to the changing of the sign of the Bessel function. This is howevernot a propagating phase front, but rather an artifact.

[0144] It is important to appreciate what is going on here so that we canproperly interpret the physics. In particular, the solution to the wave equation inEq. 33 has phase% = αθ + Arg[Jϱ(kr)] (61)so it is tempting to write that direction of propagation is^ ^ ^ ^ ), 0,α (62) r where sq,ϱ is the sign of the slope at the qth zero of the Bessel function Jm and rq,ϱare the positions of the corresponding zeros. However, as in Fig. 16, the source ofthe r-component are the changing of the sign of the Bessel function and is not apropagating component of the wave. The correct wave direction is therefore^ ^ where α = kr0, so that near the beam≃% = ⇔0, 0, k↖ .

[145] This is very important so that we appreciate the di!erence betweenphase % and Transition-Free Phase &, which does not account for the variationsin the Bessel function, where& = αθ (65)which carries the direction of propagation information. This idea will be used againin the development of a toroidally curved EM beam.

[0146] Finally, it is clear that other trajectories may be possible, for examplethe conic sections, not just circular, simply by changing the magnitude, spacing,and phase from element-to-element. Changing the shape of the source excitationcan focus the beam. So there is a lot of flexibility in the structure of the beam,including simple circular beams.TOROIDAL CURVED LIGHT BEAMS:

[0147] The objective of this section is to expand on the prior section to solvethe Helmholtz equation for a Transverse Electric (TE) wave within a Toroidal-Poloidal-Radial (TPR) coordinate system. This setup is pivotal for applicationsin directed energy beam steering, where precise control over the wave’s propaga-tion path is essential. The solution involves defining an appropriate coordinatesystem, expressing the Helmholtz equation in these coordinates, and employingthe method of separation of variables tofind a separable solution that satisfiesthe given boundary conditions. This section further demonstrates practicality asthe new coordinate system may be better suited for large aperture beams forfirefighting.

[148] In particular, the TPR coordinate system is defined by three coordi-nates: radial distance r, poloidal angle θ, and toroidal angle ▷. The relationshipbetween the Cartesian coordinates (x, y, z) and the TPR coordinates (r, θ,▷) isshown in Fig. 17, where the toroid 17a defines the coordinate point 17b so thatx = (r0 + r cos θ) cos▷,y = (r0 + r cos θ) sin▷,(66) z= ◁ςr sin θ,where •r0 is the major radius (distance from the symmetry axis to the center ofthe circular cross-section),• r is the radial distance from the center of the toroidal cross-section,• θ is the poloidal angle (angle around the cross-section),• ▷ is the toroidal angle (angle around the symmetry axis),• ◁ς = ±1 determines the handedness (orientation) of the coordinate system.The line element ds in the TPR coordinate system quantifies the infinitesimaldistance and is expressed as From the line element, we identify the scale factors (Lamé coe”cients) for eachcoordinate hr = 1, hς = r, hφ = r0 + r cos θ. (68)These scale factors are essential for expressing di!erential operators, such as theLaplacian, in curvilinear coordinates. However, the Laplacian operator ≃2 inan orthogonal curvilinear coordinate system with scale factors h1, h2, h3 is givenby: [ ( ) ( ) ( )] where u1 = r, u2 = θ, and u3 = ▷. On substituting the scale factors we obtain[ ( ) This expression incorporates the orthogonality of TPR via the absence of crossterms in the metric, aligning with the provided line element.

[0149] Next, we can solve the Helmholtz equation in the context of a TEwave, and≃2U + k2U = 0, (71)where U(r, θ,▷) is the scalar electricfield and k is the wave number. Assuming aseparable solution ansatz of the formU(r, θ,▷) = R(r)’(θ)%(▷), (72)where R(r) is the radial component, ’(θ) is the poloidal component, and %(▷)is the toroidal component. Substituting the separable solution into the Helmholtzequation, expanding the Laplacian into the TPR coordinates, and dividing throughby R’% to facilitate separation yields ( ) To achieve separation of variables, each term must depend solely on its respectivecoordinate. This is accomplished by enforcing periodic boundary conditionson the angular components, leading to the quantization of mode numbers m andn. The periodic boundary condition in the toroidal angle ▷ is%(▷ + 2ω) = %(▷). This condition implies that %(▷) must be a periodic function with period 2ω andmust be a solution tod2% d▷2+ n2% = 0, (75)which is%(▷) = einφ, (76)where n is an integer (n ↙ Z) to satisfy periodicity. Similarly, the periodic boundarycondition in the poloidal angle θ is’(θ + 2ω) = ’(θ). (77)This leads to the di!erential equation with the general solution’(θ) = eimς, (79)where m is an integer (m ↙ Z) to ensure periodicity.

[0150] With the angular components determined, the Helmholtz equationreduces to an ordinary di!erential equation (ODE) for the radial component R(r).Substituting % into the separated equation, we obtain( ) (2) 1 d dRm + 2r(r + r c 2 nRr(r + r co 0 os θ)+ k↑0 s θ)dr drr(r0 + r cos θ) To facilitate separation of variables, we assume that the dependence on r and θcan be decoupled through approximations. Given the complexity introduced by the(r0 + r cos θ) factor, we adopt the Slender Toroid Approximation, assuming thatr0. This simplification allows us to approximater0 + r cos θ ↓ r0. (81)This is particularly useful for directed energy applications where the beam may be1 m to 10 m in diameter and the radius r0 might be 100 m to 10,000 m. Underthis approximation, the radial equation becomes:[ ( ) ] Taking and expanding the total wavenumber ask2 = k2 2 2r+ kς+ kφ (84)and further defining the wavenumber perpendicular to the wave propagation tra-jectory ask2= k2+ 2↗rkς (85)then the solution is in terms of the Bessel function of thefirst and second kind and we can reject the Bessel function of the second kind as it has an un acceptablesingularity at r = 0. Therefore,^^^ The general separable solution to the Helmholtz equation in TPR coordinates isgiven by a double summation over the poloidal mode number m and the toroidalmode number n:^^ ^ where m,n = 1, 2, 3, ... are non-negative integers representing the poloidal andtoroidal mode numbers, respectively, M is the maximum poloidal mode numberconsidered, N1 and N2 define the range of toroidal mode numbers contributing tothe solution, Cm,n are complex coe”cients determined by boundary conditions andbeam shaping requirements, Jm is the Bessel function of thefirst kind of order m,and where orthogonality of the Bessel function, such as Eq. 59, can be used toexplicitly determine the beam intensity profile.

[0151] Finally, note, that if we were to set n = 0 then Eq. 87 takes the sameform as the previous solution of Eq. 31, but the interpretation is di!erent due tothe geometry of the beams being so di!erent. In Eq. 31 the coordinate r is globaland the geometry of the Bessel function intensity pattern is asymmetric and similarto that of a linear phased-array. In Eq. 87 the coordinate r is local to the beamand the geometry of the Bessel function intensity pattern is radially symmetric.

[0152] The phase is then% = Arg[Jm(k↗r)] + mθ + n▷ (89)which carries more information than desired to determine the direction of propa-gation. So we again define the transition-free phase as& = mθ + n▷ (90)and we can use the gradient operator in the TPR coordinate system to determinethe direction of the light propagation as^ ^ ≃& So clearly there are di!erent modes of light that can travel around the torus.Figs. 18-19 show both a constant transition-free wavefront and a circulating raythat is perpendicular to the wavefront. In particular, a poloidal helicoid wavefront18a supports toroidal rays 18b substantially along the toroidal ▷ direction. Also,a toroidal helicoid wavefront 19a supports poloidal rays 18b substantially aroundthe poloidal θ direction. There are an infinite number of possible modes that aresupported and these are just two extreme cases tor the reader’s consideration.LIGHT BEAM SYNTHESIS:

[0153] It should be evident that achieving precise control of EMfields in spaceand time is fundamental for creating the atmospheric e!ects necessary to extinguishfires and address a range of other critical applications—such as to power, protect,or propel. The ability to shape and direct arbitrary ”blobs” of light in both spaceand time, along with precise polarization control, is a cornerstone of this e!ort.

[0154] However, the technological requirements for such control present ex-traordinary challenges. In the regimes of interest, we must address the following:1. Ultra-short EM pulses that demand bandwidths stretching into terahertz oroptical frequencies, often requiring femtosecond-scale precision. This extendsinto the millimeter-wave domain as well.2. Extremely high-power EM pulses that push the limits of material damagethresholds, thermal management, and system stability.3. Highly complex structured light modes that go beyond simple Gaussian beams,including Bessel beams, vortex beams, and other advanced spatial modes,some of which have been demonstrated in this disclosure.4. Extremely large apertures, often on the scale of meters, to ensure su”cientlylow power density at the source and high power density at the focus for theintended application.

[0155] These requirements expose the severe limitations of today’s conven-tional phased array technologies, whether in optical, infrared, or microwave sys-tems. Current approaches lack the necessary scalability in size, bandwidth, andcost to meet these demands. For instance, it has historically been nearly inconceiv-able to deploy a 10-meter diameter source aperture capable of delivering 1-petawattpulses with femtosecond durations using current technology.

[0156] Furthermore, traditional phased array systems su!er from inherenttrade-o!s in beam-forming accuracy, speed, and computational complexity. Theseconstraints become exponentially more severe as we attempt to scale systems forultra-high power, wide spectral bandwidth, and arbitrary mode generation. Evenstate-of-the-art optical phased arrays struggle to generate the kind of structuredlight needed to induce atmospheric control, particularly over large distances or inhighly dynamic environments. Moreover the dollar costs for conventional phasedarray systems with phase, amplitude, and polarization control is substantial.

[0157] In many EM systems, the standard approach involves analyzing anarray of EM radiators to determine the resultingfield pattern. This is referredto as the forward or analysis problem. However, there are situations where theinverse scenario arises: given specific input and output EMfields, the challenge isto determine a practical means of transforming the input into the desired output.This is known as the inverse or synthesis problem.

[0158] Consider, for example, an artificial intelligence (AI)-powered elec-tronic warfare processor, designed using advanced deep learning algorithms, thatmaps the spatial and temporal extent of afire. Such a system could propose atargeted acousticfield to extinguish thefire. For each localized patch offire, at theprecise projected time of engagement, the system would generate a correspondingintense designed “blob” of EM energy. This blob, a spatially and temporally con-strained collection of photons, is characterized by specific properties such as, itsduration, modal structure, linear photonic momentum, spin angular momentum,and orbital angular momentum, all of which contribute to its ability to “acceler-ate” and bend and focus along a curved trajectory towards the detonation zone toextinguish afire.

[0159] To achieve this, what is required is a transducer at a remote sourcethat is capable of converting easy-to-generate, high-power EM modes into the hard-to-generate structured light modes necessary forfirefighting operations. Thesestructured light beams must propagate to a “combat zone,” a defined space-timevolume where energy is deployed to counter thefire. This combat zone is associatedwith many detailed parameters about thefire’s properties and the time-sequence ofcountermeasures devised by the AI system. In essence, light energy and informationare to be combined and directed by an AI system (or other types of controllers) tocombat thefire at electronic speeds.

[0160] Realizing this requires solving an inverse problem to determine theoptimal configuration of a light transducer. This solution must enable a seamlesschain of energy and information transformations, ensuring that the structured EMfields generated at the source translate into e!ectivefire suppression measures inthefire zone. Such a capability would embody the convergence of AI-directedinformation, high-power EM energy, and precision engineering to combatfires withunparalleled speed, range, and e”ciency.

[0161] What is required is a fundamentally new approach—a system that canspatially and temporally sculpt light with unprecedented precision and e”ciency.Such a system must bridge the gap between the needs of structured light generationand the realities of ultra-high power and ultra-short pulse technology. This leads usto the use of a multi-plane mode converter (MPMC), as an innovative solutiondesigned to address these constraints when paired with new forms of large areaspatial light modulators.

[0162] The MPMC is capable of generating highly structured and control-lable light beams by leveraging a series of carefully designed optical transformationsacross multiple spatial planes. This approach provides theflexibility to create arbi-trary light distributions, control polarization states, and accommodate the extremeconditions of modern high-power systems. The following discussion will detail thedesign, operation, and advantages of the MPMC in enabling practical and scalablesolutions to these otherwise insurmountable challenges.

[0163] Before providing a detailed discussion of how a MPMC works, it willprove helpful to appreciate one single segment of the MPLC as shown in Fig. 20.In particular, an EM mode converter segment 20a comprising a phase screen 20bwith a plurality of phase shift pixels 20c of width ⇀x in the x-direction and ⇀y inthe y-direction. The phase screen 20b has thickness ⇀z.

[0164] Additionally, the phase screen is situated between a mathematicalinput plane 20d located at z = zi and a mathematical output plane 20e locatedat z = zo. The distance between the input plane at z = zi and the input edge ofthe phase screen is #z ↑ ⇀z / 2. The distance between the output edge of the phasescreen and the output plane is also #z↑⇀z / 2. It is usually the case that #z >> ⇀zand we can set ⇀z ↓ 0 when added or subtractwed from #z to simplify analysis,though this is not necessary.

[0165] At the input plane 20d there is located the source EM wave 20f S,which has source wavefronts 20g. At the output plane 20e there is located thetarget EM wave 20h T , which has target wavefronts 20i. Waves may be arbitrarilycomplex and even include abrupt phase shits 20j.

[0166] The input EM wave, usually represented by its electricfield intensity,has afirst forward direction 20k. The output EM wave, usually represented by itselectricfield intensity, has a second forward direction 20l. Comparisons of wavesat a plane, such as the output plane at z = zo, are done with a forward movingwave and a backward moving wave having a backward propagation direction 20m.The details of how this is done are now discussed.

[0167] We begin analysis with a simple case of harmonic plane waves propa-gating in the z-direction. If the forward traveling Source wave (an electricfield) isrepresented as S = ei kz z and the forward traveling Target wave (and electricfield),which is the output of a mode converter and represented as T = ei kzz, then we cansee by inspection of the equations that they are the same.

[0168] A slightly more physics-based approach is to compare the source waveS with a backwards traveling target wave T ↘. This is easily done by multiplicationof the complexfields so that |UV ↘|2 = 1, which shows 100% comparison e”ciency.This e”ciency we will call mode-matching e”ciency.

[0169] We can do this calculation over each di!erential chunk dx of a wave-front to compare source and target waves. Thus, the overlap between the sourceand targetfields at a specific output plane z = zo can be evaluated by the integral^ˆ^ For example, if the target wave was instead T = ei (kxx+kz z) then wefind:^ ()^ where sinc(q) = sin(q) / q. If the electricfields had been normalized such that thesource was S = ei kz z / L and the target was T = ei (kxx+kz z) / L, then φ represents thee”ciency of the transformation and is bounded by 0 ⇐ φ ⇐ 1. For this example,the e”ciency is given by:^=^()^φ^^sinc ) This demonstrates that the coupling e”ciency can be poor when kx ⇓= 0, in whichcase 0 ⇐ φ < 1. We can therefore generalize this approach and write the couplinge”ciency as^ˆ ˆ^ where z = zo is the output plane where we measure coupling e”ciency and thelight is assumed to move substantially along the z-direction.

[0170] For a discrete MPMC we can choose any plane we like and undermode-matched conditions the forward and backward waves will have good couplinge”ciency. For example, we can rewrite this e”ciency equation for one of manyphase-screen between an input port and an output port as follows^^ where S(x, y, zo) is the source wave at the output plane z = zo a distance #z afterthe phase screen, which is at z = zp. Moreover, T (x, is also a target waveat the output plane z = zo, which is a distance #z after the phase screen and is the source wave at the input plane z = zi a distance #z before thephase screen. Additionally, A = A(x, y, z) = e→ik!z is the atmospheric phase lag asthe wave propagates a distance #z before and after the phase screen. The phasescreen itself is G(x, y, zp) at the phase screen plane z = zp, which is sandwichedbetween the input plane z = zi and the output plane z = zo.

[0171] Physics: At each stage of a MPMC the forward propagating sourcewave and the backward propagating target waves must have a high coupling ef-ficiency φ ↓ 1 for good coupling from the input to the output EM modes. Thisis because Maxwell’s equations exhibit time-reversal symmetry, and if you run aprocess backwards it will replay backwards exactly. So when a source wave is wellmatched to a target wave there will be a smooth transitions from the input to theoutput and vice versa. In this way each stage of a MPMC, comprising just onephase screen, has its own coupling e”ciency φm and then for the entire systemwe have that φ1φ2 · · · φM ↓ 1 is the desired outcome of the entire MPMC beamline, where each stage transforms the source wave a little more towards the desiredtarget wave output mode and it also transforms the target wave a little towardsthe source when the waves are run backwards through the system.

[0172] Next, observe that =[AG(x, y, zp)A]0 [1 ↑ i k ⇀n(x, y, zp)⇀z] (97)where ⇀z is the thickness of the phase screen, #z is the thickness of the air regionbefore or after the phase screens, nref is a reference refractive index, n(x, y) is theideal refractive index distribution (i.e. the desired solution) that is provided by thephase screen such as a spatial light modulator, and ⇀n(x, y, zp) is the error refractiveindex that is currently undermining 100% coupling e”ciency in a transmissionbased phase screen. Note that the factorH(x, y, zp) = [AG(x, y, zp)A]0is the ideal phase factor to drive coupling e”ciency to 100%. Therefore,^ˆ ˆ^ where we anticipate that φ↑ = φ +#φ and φ is the best possible coupling e”ciencypossible for the given phase screen configuration with a specific number of phaseplanes with a specific resolution used in a MPMC. We can now expand this integralas φ↑ = |I + ⇀I|2 , (100)where ˆˆ Therefore, on expanding Eq. 100 we get =φ +↗ φ(↑2iik ⇀z) Im[Q]= φ +↗ φ(2k ⇀z) Im[Q] (103)Where Im is the imaginary part function so thatˆ ˆ Next, let’s deploy an ansatz, which is an assumption about the form of an un-known function which is made in order to facilitate the solution of a mathe-matical problem and is tested after the solution is formed. However, recall thatH(x, y, zp) = [AG(x, y, zp)A]0 so that[ ] where C is an arbitrary real constant so we can choose⇀n = C0 sin[’S ↑ ’T ] , that correc-tions at the phase screen plane z = zp are determined by a comparison of phasesat the output plane z = zo. Notice that amplitude comparisons are never directlymade. This can be rewritten in terms of phase by observing that the phase screenhas a well defined thickness ⇀z so that ⇀▷ = ⇀n k ⇀z so that we can again leveragethe arbitrary nature of C0 and write⇀▷ = C1 sin[’S ↑ ’T ] , (107)where C1 is chosen to ensure convergence of an iterative process for mode matchingsource S to target T electricfield modes. Moreover we have thatˆ ˆ The scaling constant C0 governs the size of the updates to ⇀n. If C0 is chosen appro-priately, the system will avoid overshooting and oscillations, ensuring stability inthe iterative optimization process. Small, controlled updates help the optimizationscheme converge to a solution without introducing instability. Of course we canchose C0 to be any constant that is convenient so that we can for example writeˆ ˆ or in terms of the spatial average over the (x, y) plane we have the importantintermediate results:^ ^ #’(x, y, z ) = ’ (x, y, z ) ↑ ’ (x, y, z ↘o S o T o) = Arg [S(x, y, zo)T (x, y, zo)] (112)Equation 110 says that as the average phase di!erence between source and targetEM modes decreases towards zero the coupling e”ciency φ↑ approaches the idealcoupling e”ciency φ at the plane z = zo.

[0173] Then Eq. 111 says that at each point of the output plane of the phasescreen device at z = which has thickness we canfind the phase update fromthe source and target waves at the plane z = zo by taking take their phase di!erenceto provide an update at plane z = from point-to-point (x, y, zp). Another wayof saying this is that we are comparing the forward propagating source EMfield Sand the backward propagating target EMfield T ↘ at the output plane z = zo.

[0174] So these last three equations taken together provide an iterative syn-thesis method that evolves towards the ideal phase screen and will converge to aconstant distribution of phase-only adjustments at the phase screen as a functionof position (x, y, zp). When the distribution zp) stops changing very muchfrom iteration-to-iteration then the iterative process can stop. Take special notethat the phase screen updates at z = zp are obtained from comparing the forwardand backward propagating source and target waves at z = zo, which can be a sig-nificant distance #z away: zo = zp + #z and that the input to the phase screenis even further away at zi = zp ↑ #z. Each separate section of a MPMC has itsown input plane, output plane, and phase screen plane. Phase screen have beenshown to be transmission mode here, but they could just as easily be reflectionmode where micro mirrors change position to given di!erent phase shifts on thephase screen. In reflection mode the beam can bounce back and forth instead ofbeing a long linear beam line.

[0175] Therefore, a MPMC uses a plurality of phase screens to provide loss-less transformation from source EM modes to target EM modes. The more phasescreens that are used the greater the number of degrees of freedom to accomplishthe mode conversion. In the limit of an infinite number of planes we have a vol-ume where the phase corrections are applied. The above mentioned calculationsare done and then applied to the MPMC to take a simple EM source and make itavailable to bend and focus into a beam to disrupt afire, or any other applicationof Directed Energy. Here are the steps in more detail:

[0176] Step-1: Define the input port and the output port and subdividethe space between into sections of length 2#z and at the center of each sectionplace a thin physical phase screen with thickness ⇀z. This can be as simple ascommercial spatial light modulator (SLM) or a more sophisticated SLMs suchas one based on Optometaphoresis (OMP), which can be meters in diameter.Note that both transmission type and reflection type SLM can be used, howeverfor reflection type SLM the planes of the SLM are not linearly arranged and thebeam will typically reflect over a trajectory that is not on a straight line, but rathernon-collinear line segments. While minor adjustments to the theory are needed forbeams not perpendicular to the SLM the same essential results are still applicablewith suitable adjustments to the atmospheric delay A, which would become afunction of transverse coordinates (x, y).

[0177] Step-2: During the start of the computational synthesis initialize allthe SLMs to have the same constant phase at every (x, y) location.

[0178] Step-3: Clearly define the input sourcefield S at the input port andthe output targetfield T at the output port. Thesefields should be valid solutionsto Maxwell’s equations. Initially, the source is typically an easy-to-generatefielddistribution and the target is a complexfield of a structured light that is hardto generate by conventional means, such as a plurality of Bessel distributions, asalready discussed. This will allow for some amazing properties to be included intothe EMfields. Initially we shall discuss scalar EMfields that have the same linearpolarization, however it is possible to have two beam lines that synthesize modesfor di!erent orthogonal polarizations so that on combining these two beam linesthe resultingfields are also controlled in polarization. Additionally, we will assumethat the source and targetfields are pulses, while this means that we are not dealingwith strictly harmonicfields, it is often quitefine to use these pulses as long asthere are enough full oscillations involved that the pulse acts substantially like aharmonic signal. Typically 10 to 100 full oscillations are needed in a pulse so thatthe phase screens will interact properly. Thus, substantial space-time-polarizationcontrol is possible.

[0179] Step-4: Back propagate the targetfield T to the output plane of thefirst phase screen. This back propagation is through the intervening phase screens.Then compare it to the sourcefield S at the same output plane using Eq. 111and update the phase of thefirst phase screen point-to-point. Using this updatedphase screen send the forward wave through thefirst phase screen and calculatethe performance of the updated phase screen using Eq. 95 and keep track of thisparameter over each evolution to see when the performance saturates, therebyindicating that further evolutions may not be needed. Using this new forwardpropagating source-wave proceed to the next phase screen and repeat the process.Keep doing this until at the last phase screen. Note that propagation throughthe phase screens is done using pixels with a certain resolution and di!ractione!ects may need to be included. There is someflexibility in this step, as it is alsopossible to simply calculate the updated phase screen and not modify the forwardpropagatingfields until the next iteration of phase comparisons. This may impactconvergence to a stable solution.

[0180] Step-5: Recall that in thefirst pass we took the desired targetfieldT and back propagated it to thefirst phase screen. Now, that the corrections havebeen made to the phase screens moving forward we again take the defining sourceS and target T fields, and pass the sourcefields through all of the phase screensand then compare to the target and make corrections to the phase screens, just asbefore, but in the reverse direction.

[0181] Step-6: Repeat the forward phase screen and backward phase screencorrections over and over until the output port mode conversion e”ciency φ ↓ 1and is not changing much from iteration-to-iteration. This will work because themath shows that on each pass a convergence toward the optimum conversion frominput to output, limited by the resolution of the SLMs used.

[0182] Fig. 21 shows an example of a MPMC comprising a phase screenstack 21a having at least one phase screen 21b, which further has a pluralityof phase pixels 21c. The input port 21d typically passes the energy of the EMradiation, but keeps out external materials and moisture. Similarly the outputport 21e, which typically passes the energy of the EM radiation but keeps outexternal materials and moisture. EM modal specifications at the input and outputports define the EM transformation. It is possible to have more than one beamline for polarization control with the outputs combined — this is not shown inFig. 21. Additionally, the MPMC typically has electrical signals that control thephase delays in each phase pixel 21c — again this is not shown here to reduceclutter. The purpose of the MPMC is to allows easy-to-generate EM signals to betransformed into hard-to-generate EM signals in a compact and cost e!ective wayover typically large apertures. Note that while the emphasis here is on MPMCfor EM signals, it is also possible to use a MPMC with acoustic signals to provideunique propagation properties.

[0183] The above discussion is only meant to provide one example of howto form the desiredfields for the use of EMfields to detonate the atmosphere toextinguish afire using directed and beamed energy. Other methods, such as phasedarrays may also be used.PHASE SCREEN DESIGN:

[0184] A large-aperture structured-light source can be achieved with a plural-ity of stacked programmable phase screens based on Optometaphoresis (OMP).This approach uses a liquid metafilm comprising coin- or rod-shaped silicon or dia-mond nanoparticles (meta-atoms) approximately 25 nm in diameter, optimized forhigh refractive index and anisotropy across the infrared, and larger particle sizesare possible for millimeter-wave wavelengths. Such screens dynamically structurelight to suppress wildfires through precise phase control in a MPMC, as alreadydescribed.

[185] Metasurfaces, thin layers of structured nanoparticles, manipulate lightat sub-wavelength scales and are widely used for compact, multifunctional opticaldevices. However, their static nature, di!raction limitations, and small apertures(<1 cm) make them unsuitable for large-scale, high-power applications like wildfiresuppression.

[186] To overcome these limitations, metafilms extend metasurface princi-ples into a 3D anisotropic optical colloid. A colloid of high-refractive-index meta-atoms (↔100 µm thick) suspended in a low refractive index (RI) yield-stress sili-cone liquid (e.g., enhanced PDMS) enables real-time programmability, broadbandoperation, and scalability to meter-sized apertures. By controlling meta-atom ori-entation with Near Field Phased Array (NFPA) antennas, OMP dynamicallyadjusts the optical phase of light passing through the metafilm.Hysteresis and Yield-Stress Properties for Pixelation: The inclusion of ayield-stress liquid introduces threshold behavior critical for pixelated phase control.Below a specificfield-induced torque, the meta-atoms remain stationary due to thefluid’s inherent yield stress, preventing inadvertent activation of pixels. This keepsthe optical phase shift of a pixel constant. The hysteresis ensures that pixels areonly activated when the combined electricfields from two orthogonal NFPA an-tennas exceed the threshold torque. The use of anisotropic nanoparticles enhancesthis mechanism, as their aspect ratio and high polarizability generate significanttorques under su”ciently strong electricfields. This hysteresis-driven approachprevents pixel crosstalk, stabilizes nanoparticle orientation, and enables robust re-configurability.

[187] The electricfield-induced torque on each nanoparticle (TDEP) is pro-portional to the square of the local electricfield magnitude (|E|2), as: where: •ϖm: Permittivity of the medium,• V : Volume of the nanoparticle,• #ϖ: Dielectric mismatch between the particle and the medium,• |E|2: Time-averaged electricfield strength, and• θ: Orientation angle of the nanoparticle relative to the appliedfield.For pixel activation, the combinedfield from the top and bottom NFPA wiresmust exceed a threshold |E |2 2 total > |Eth| to overcome thefluid’s yield stress (ςy), where where ▷ is the phase di!erence between the signals applied to the top and bottomNFPA antennas.NFPA-Controlled Metafilms: The metafilm is sandwiched between two NFPAantenna arrays (see Fig. 22), which generate oscillating electricfields to orientmeta-atoms via dielectrophoresis. Each NFPA wire is energized with voltagesvA, vB, etc., creating elliptically polarized internalfields that induce nanoparticletorques. By tuning these voltages, phase shifts in transmitted light are achievedwith minimal nanoparticle rotation.

[0188] NFPA antennas also enable precise pixelated control of the metafilmfor mode conversion from simple-to-generate EM modes to di”cult-to-generate EMmodes. This allows for bending and focusing of light beams. In one embodiment,NFPA antennas consist of parallel resistive wires embedded in transparent sub-strates, supporting both static charges and oscillating currents. This configurationensures orthogonal electricfields, critical for nanoparticle alignment.Optical Properties of Metafilms: Metafilms leverage birefringence induced byanisotropic meta-atoms. The refractive indices for ordinary (no) and extraordinary(ne) axes depend on meta-atom shape and volume fractioncolloids: no = nL + (nP ↑ nL)0Pfo(φ) , ne = nL + (nP ↑ nL)0Pfe(φ) , (116) and fe(φ) are nanoparticle shape-dependent factors, and φ is the meta-atom aspect ratio. Increasing 0P enhances birefringence (⇀n = ne ↑ no), allowingbetter light control with lower voltages. See Figs. 23-24.

[0189] For spherical particles (φ = 1), anisotropy vanishes, requiring highervoltages (↔1000 V) for phase control via particle translation. Non-spherical shapes(e.g., coins, rods) achieve the same phase shifts with much lower voltages (↔10 V),making them ideal for OMP.Applications Across Wavelengths: Meter-scale metafilms, programmable andadaptable, are ideal for high-power beam steering in extreme environments (e.g.,space or wildfire suppression). The yield-stress liquid medium stabilizes nanopar-ticle orientation while supporting broadband transparency across multiple wave-length bands, including visible, infrared, and millimeter waves. Materials like sili-con and diamond o!er high refractive indices and anisotropy, enabling precise phasecontrol over a wide range of electromagnetic frequencies. This versatility supportsapplications in directed energy systems, telecommunications, and adaptive optics.Embodiment: The dielectrophoresis-based phase screen integrates NFPA anten-nas and anisotropic metafilms, enabling programmable, large-aperture structuredlight sources for a variety of uses. By combining broadband operation, scalability,and dynamic reconfigurability, this approach represents a transformative advancein directed energy systems. The following provides detailed references to the ele-ments depicted in Fig. 22:

[0190] [ First NFPA Antenna (22a): Thefirst Near Field Phased Array(NFPA) antenna is located above the metafilm layer. It comprises a series ofresistive wire antenna elements, which generate elliptically polarized electricfieldsin the colloid that induce nanoparticle torques within the metafilm. These torquesalign the meta-atoms in specific orientations, enabling precise optical phase control.

[0191] Second NFPA Antenna (22b): The second NFPA antenna, positionedbelow the metafilm and orthogonal to thefirst NFPA, operates independently fromthefirst. Its distinct excitation frequencies contribute to creating a two-degree-of-freedom (2-DOF) phase control system. The combined operation of thefirst andsecond NFPA antennas ensures precise manipulation of external light’s phase andpolarization. Note that the First and Second NFPA antennas are orthogonal toallow a pixel to be selected by means of selecting specific wires to carry signals.

[0192] Colloid Metafilm (22c): Sandwiched between the two NFPA anten-nas, the metafilm comprises a colloid of anisotropic meta-atoms suspended in atransparent, low-refractive-index liquid. This layer enables broadband light con-trol through a combination of birefringence and nanoparticle orientation.

[0193] Wire Antenna Elements (22d, 22e): Each NFPA antenna consists ofmultiple parallel resistive wire elements. These wires are harmonically energized atboth ends , vC, vD) to generate oscillating electricfields within the metafilm.Thesefields are responsible for nanoparticle alignment via dielectrophoresis.

[0194] To control the resistive wire antenna elements (22d and 22e), voltagesare applied at both ends of each wire. For thefirst NFPA antenna, the voltagesare defined as: ↗where i = ↑1, VA and VB are magnitudes, and ↼A and ↼B are phase angles. Thecorresponding time-domain expressions are: The voltage across the wire is (va ↑ (↑vb)) sin ⇁̃t, generating a current of vb) / R] sin ⇁̃t through the wire, where R is the wire’s resistance. Importantly, theaverage voltage on the wire and the current through it are in phase quadrature,producing orthogonal electricfields (E≃ and E↗) within the colloid.

[0195] The important points include: (1) when both sides of a resistive wireoscillate at the same amplitude, frequency and phase, then the wire is chargedharmonically and this causes electricfields that are perpendicular to the wires.(2) when both sides of a resistive wire oscillate at the same amplitude, frequencyand ω radians of relative phase, then the resistive wire carries a current harmon-ically and this causes electricfields that are parallel to the wire. With a relativephase between the parallel and perpendicular electricfields of ω / 2 we have phase-quadrature electricfields to drive elliptical polarization of the radio-frequency lightin the metafilm. This induced light excites torques on nanoparticles. The torqueshave the property that they come with a built-in steady-state nanoparticle orien-tation where torques go to zero to set the steady-state optical (or millimeter wave)pixel phase shift. (3) Only when the x-directed and the y-directed NFPA antennawires cross to select a phase-screen pixel is the optical phase shift selected for thatpixel, because only then is thefield strength for dielectrophoresis su”cient to over-come the yield-stress properties of the liquid host medium of the colloid forming themetafilm. Thus, we have a programmable, large-area, high-power, environmentallyrobust, phase screen that can be stacked to form a MPMC.FIRE INDUCED DOPPLER BROADENING:

[0196] Wildfire detection can be based on Doppler broadening of an EMsignal, which occurs because the thermal motion of light scattering particles (atomsor molecules) causes a spread in the observed frequencies of emitted light. TheDoppler e!ect relates the observed frequency 0 to the velocity v of the emittingparticle along the observer’s line of sight( ) where 00 is the rest-frame frequency of the emitted light, v is the particle velocityalong the line of sight, and c is the speed of light. For thermal motion, the velocitiesv follow the Maxwell-Boltzmann distribution. The probability density functionP (v) for the velocity of a particle along one direction is√ ( ) where •m is the mass of the particle,• k →23B is the Boltzmann constant (1.3806 → 10 J / K),• T is the absolute temperature of the gas (in kelvin).The velocity v corresponds to a frequency shift #0 = 0 ↑ 00, related by The frequency distribution P (0) is derived from P (v) using the relationship P (0)d0 =P (v)dv, where Substituting ( )2Replacing P (v) and v2 =c!⇀ ⇀0: √ ^^ Simplifying √ ( ) This describes a Gaussian distribution for the frequency shifts caused by theDoppler e!ect.

[0197] The width of the Gaussian at half its maximum value is the Full Widthat Half Maximum (FWHM), #0D. For a Gaussian function of the form^ ^ the FWHM is given by√ From the frequency distribution, the coe”cient B is Substituting B into the FWHM formula√ Simplify √

[198] Next, let’s calculate the molecular mass m for the atmosphere in awildfire. The atmosphere near a wildfire is composed primarily of nitrogen (N2),oxygen (O2), water vapor (H2O), and carbon dioxide (CO2). The average molec-ular mass of dry air is approximately Mair = 28.97 g / mol, based on the relativeabundances of its major componentsMair = (0.78 · 28.01) + (0.21 · 32.00) + (0.0093 · 39.95) = 28.97 g / mol. (133)For wildfire conditions, we approximate Mair as representative of the molecularmass, accounting for minor contributions from combustion products such as watervapor and carbon dioxide. To convert Mair to the mass per molecule m, we divideby Avogadro’s number N 23 →1A = 6.022 → 10 mol :Mair 28.97 → 10→3m == N6.022 → 1 23 = 4.81 → 10→26 kg. (134)A 0This value is used as m in the Doppler broadening formula for the atmospherein a wildfire. The Doppler broadening of light from afire at a specific maximumtemperature T is therefore,√ where• 00 is the central frequency of the emitted light,• T is the temperature of thefire,• m = 4.81 → 10→26 kg is the average molecular mass of air,• kB = 1.3806 → 10→23 J / K,• c = 2.998 → 108 m / s.The Doppler broadening #0D derived in the formula represents the full widthat half maximum (FWHM) of the spectral line, which corresponds to the totalbroadening on both sides of the central frequency 00. The broadening is symmetricaround 00, meaning that the line profile extends equally from 00 ↑ #0D / 2 to 00 +#0D / 2. If only single-sided broadening is of interest, such as the shift from 00 toone edge of the broadened line, it is given by #0D / 2. This double-sided symmetryresults in a Gaussian line shape centered at 00, which accurately reflects the thermalmotion of the emitting particles.

[0199] Numerical examples for Doppler broadening of light for a 1000 °Cfireillustrate the impact of temperature and wavelength on the spectral line width.For afire at this temperature, corresponding to 1273 K, and assuming an averagemolecular mass of m = 4.81 → 10→26 kg for the atmospheric gases, the Dopplerbroadening for a 1 µm carrier wavelength 14 = 3 → 10 Hz) is approximately#0D ↓ 2.98GHz. For a 1 mm carrier wavelength 11 = 3 → 10 Hz), the Dopplerbroadening is significantly smaller, approximately #0D ↓ 2.98MHz. These valuesdemonstrate how the Doppler broadening is directly proportional to the centralfrequency 00, with shorter wavelengths experiencing broader spectral lines. Thissensitivity to wavelength emphasizes the importance of carefully selecting the car-rier band for applications infire detection and assessment using entangled photons.ENTANGLED PHOTON FIRE DETECTION:

[0200] In a system utilizing frequency-entangled photons, the interaction ofthe probe photons with thefire environment results in observable statistical changesin the idler photons due to the preserved quantum correlations between the two.When the probe photons elastically scatter o! the heated gases and particulates inthefire plume, the Doppler broadening experienced by the probe photons due to therandom thermal motion and bulk dynamics of the gas molecules is directly trans-ferred to the idler photons that remain in thefire detection processor. This occursbecause the frequency entanglement ensures that any change in the probe photons’frequency spectrum is reflected in the idler photons’ quantum statistics. Elasticscattering is critical to maintaining this correlation, as it avoids wavefunction col-lapse and preserves the entangled state. By using frequency entangled photons thereis no physical return channel and hardware. For example, there is no need for acirculator to separate transmit and receive electronics. Also, all the losses in thereturn path go away, leading to a more sensitivefire detection.

[0201] The Doppler broadening observed in the idler photons correlates withthe temperature and velocity distribution of thefire environment. This broadeningis proportional to the square root of the temperature and inversely proportional tothe square root of the molecular mass of the atmospheric components, as shownin the Doppler broadening formula derived earlier. By analyzing the broadenedspectrum of the idler photons, detailed information about thefire, such as itsintensity, the velocity distribution of the heated gases, and the turbulent dynamicswithin thefire plume, can be inferred without requiring the return path of theprobe photons.

[0202] To maximize the dominance of elastic scattering while minimizing ab-sorption, the choice of wavelength is critical. The 1 mm millimeter-wave and 1 µmnear-infrared bands are both e!ective for such applications, albeit with distinct ad-vantages and limitations. Millimeter waves (1 mm) experience very low absorptionin thefire environment, including in the presence of water vapor and combustionbyproducts such as CO2. Additionally, millimeter waves exhibit Mie scattering,which is elastic and ensures the preservation of the quantum correlations. Theyalso penetrate dense smoke and aerosols e!ectively, making them highly suitable forlarge-scale wildfire detection where robust signal transmission through obstructedenvironments is critical. However, their longer wavelength limits spatial resolutioncompared to shorter wavelengths.

[0203] Near-infrared light (1 µm) o!ers higher spatial resolution due to itsshorter wavelength and interacts strongly with smaller particles in thefire plume viaRayleigh scattering, which is also elastic. This allows for precise mapping of small-scalefire dynamics. However, near-infrared light is more susceptible to absorptionby water vapor and CO2, both of which are abundant in wildfire environments,and its penetration through smoke and aerosols is limited compared to millimeterwaves. Careful wavelength selection within the near-infrared band can mitigatesome of these absorption e!ects, but this requires detailed knowledge of thefire’satmospheric composition.

[0204] In both bands, the preservation of elastic scattering ensures thatthe entangled state is maintained, allowing the Doppler broadening and otherfrequency-related phenomena experienced by the probe photons to be encodedinto the idler photons. This transfer of spectral information through quantum cor-relations provides a powerful mechanism for non-invasivefire detection and assess-ment. Millimeter waves are particularly advantageous for large-scale wildfires dueto their superior penetration capabilities and low absorption, while near-infraredlight may be preferred for detailed spatial analysis in less obstructed environments.Together, these wavelength bands demonstrate the versatility of entangled photonsystems in addressing the diverse challenges of wildfire monitoring and suppression.SYSTEM DESIGN:

[0205] The minimum light-based photopyrokineticfire suppressionsystem comprises: (1) a light source and (2) a light mode controller.

[0206] The light source must be intense enough to detonate the atmosphereat the focus region of the light. This light source can be in any electromagneticband, but is typically in infrared or millimeter-wave bands. Infrared is easierto generated, but less capable at penetrating water and smoke than millimeter-waves. Moreover, millimeter-waves can even penetrate non-conducting solids likewood and concrete. Infrared is also more likely to allow multi-photon ionization,which may be easier to use to detonate the atmosphere, for generation of acousticshockwaves, than a RREA or SEA process. The light source will also have manyother characteristics that are of importance, including pulse energy, pulse repetitionfrequency, pulse width, polarization, wavelength, bandwidth, and initial modalstructure. The light source also contains all of the things needed for the light sourceto work, such as a power supply, and mechanical supports, and safety systems.The light source may also provide the signals forfire detection, although at a muchreduced intensity can can scan the environment continually without interference toother electronics or to biological life.

[0207] The mode controller can be as simple as static lens to focus the lightat afixed focal length, however it is more typically envisioned as adjustable to allowa variable focal length to adjust where thefire suppression occurs in space. Moreelaborate mode controllers convert simple modes, like plane waves, into acceleratedlightfields that send light along trajectories that are similar to water from afirehose. This allows ground assets to attack afire from great distances, instead ofneeding air assets. This is critical in high-wind conditions where air assets maybe grounded for safety reasons. Two approaches to a mode controller are phasedarrays and MPMC. The MPMC has the advantage of typically being compatiblewith intense high-power pulses of EM energy.

[0208] A mode controller may also include a means to make decisions, such asusing, but not limited to, an artificial intelligence. The decisions needed include theform of the atmospheric detonation to engage a particularfire configuration withacoustic shock waves for optimumfire suppression. This in turn requires specificEM fields to exist at a particular region of space and time, which further specifiesthe source EM energy to ensure the directed light energy can traverse a trajectoryto the location of thefire. This requires dynamically changing mode conversions,perhaps via a MPMC, to create complex accelerated modes to reach thefire zoneremotely. Operations may includefire suppression, ember containment,fire start-ing (to remotely createfire breaks), and even making remote audible and visualannouncements in the atmosphere to warn people of impendingfire suppressionoperations.

[209] A mode controller may also include a sensing function to allow afeedback loop so that EM modes are constantly changing to match the dynamicand stochastic nature of afire in a complex evolving environment. Moreover,the ability to quicklyfind afire in a large area of trees is a critical function.This is because, wildfires that are found quickly, in under roughlyfive minutesfrom ignition, have a much better chance of being suppressed quickly and withoutsubstantial damage. It is clearly best if large areafires never come into being, evenwith an e!ective photopyrokineticfirefighting system largerfires will require moreresources to suppress and that will cost a lot more money. E!ectivefirefighting isbest if it is fast so it is cost e!ective.

[0210] There are many potential sensor systems that can optionally be in-cluded into the mode controller. One particular sensor system is a quantum vi-brometer. An optical vibrometer can play a critical role infire detection byutilizing the Doppler e!ect to analyze the motion of heated gases produced by afire. The random thermal motion of gas molecules causes Doppler broadening of thereflected light spectrum, where the extent of broadening correlates directly with thetemperature and velocity distribution of the gases. By measuring this broadening,the intensity of thefire can be determined, providing real-time data on its strengthand behavior and distinguishing it from non-threats like a well-contained campfire. Additionally, the rotational Doppler e!ect, particularly when measured usinglight with orbital angular momentum (OAM), can reveal details about the swirlingor turbulent motion of fire-generated gases, further enhancing the system’s abil-ity to characterize afire’s dynamics. Coupling optical millimeter wave vibrometrywith AI-driven data analysis opens the possibility of detecting wildfires at an earlystage by identifying the distinct vibrational and gas-flow signatures associated withcombustion. This integration could enable rapid, automated wildfire detection andtracking, providing a powerful tool forfire management and prevention.

[0211] A quantum vibrometer represents a groundbreaking innovation infire detection by leveraging entangled photons to examine the Earth’s surface atthe quantum level. The system would work by sending probe photons to each“Earth pixel,” where their interaction with the environment determines whether afire is present. As long as the molecules in the observed region do not absorb thephotons—essentially avoiding wavefunction collapse—elastic scattering will occur.This scattering results in Doppler shifts corresponding to the motion of heatedgases, and these shifts create measurable changes in the quantum statistics of theentangled idler photons that remain at the source. This mechanism enablesfiredetection without requiring a return path for the scattered photons, which is thecritical advantage of using quantum entanglement. By eliminating the need fora full transceiver and the cumbersome isolation of circulators, the system reducescomplexity and increases sensitivity, making it ideal for detecting low-levelfiresignals. Furthermore, the use of entanglement enhances signalfidelity, as any envi-ronmental interference a!ecting the probe photons would also a!ect the entangledidler photons, allowing for robust signal extraction. Such a quantum vibrometercould revolutionizefire monitoring, enabling highly sensitive, remote detection ofwildfires without the traditional limitations of classical optical systems.

[0212] By combining low-power entangled probe photons with curved electro-magnetic (EM) light beams generated by a multiplayer mode converter (MPMC),a ground-basedfirefighting system could achieve the dual functionality of fire de-tection and suppression within a single, unified platform. The entangled photonswould be deployed to scan the area forfire signatures, utilizing their quantum-enhanced sensitivity to detect Doppler shifts and other scattering phenomena as-sociated with heated gases. Upon confirming the presence of afire, the same MPMCsystem could switch modes to generate high-power, curved EM beams optimizedforfirefighting. These beams, shaped and directed with precision by the MPMC,could induce localized atmospheric ionizations with an intense plasmas, and an as-sociated set of acoustic shockwaves that combine to suppress thefire by disruptingthe combustion process. This integrated approach leverages the advanced capabil-ities of entangled photon sensing and structured light shaping, enabling a seamlesstransition between detection and action. Such a system not only simplifies the ar-chitecture by using a single MPMC unit for both tasks but also enhances e”ciencyand response time, making it an ideal solution for combating wildfires and otherlarge-scalefire emergencies.

[0213] In one embodiment, the vibrometer operates as a form of ghost spec-trometer, leveraging quantum correlations to detect Doppler shifts and scatteringphenomena associated with dynamic systems such as heated gases infire detec-tion. As a transitional step toward a fully entanglement-based receiver, thesystem can employ a squeezed-light state receiver to enhance detection sensi-tivity. Squeezed light reduces quantum noise in specific observables, such as phaseor amplitude, thereby enabling the detection of low-levelfire signals with improvedprecision and reliability. This approach provides a practical and robust solutionwhile high-flux entangled photon sources remain under development. The squeezed-light configuration allows for enhanced performance in detecting the subtle Dopplerbroadening caused by thermal and translational motion in heated gases, laying thegroundwork for the eventual adoption of entangled photon receivers. Once high-fluxentangled photon sources become widely available, the vibrometer can transitionto a fully entangled-photon-based detection architecture, eliminating the need for areturn path entirely and enabling even greater sensitivity and scalability in remotesensing applications. This evolutionary design pathway ensures that the vibrometerremains at the cutting edge of quantum sensing technologies while accommodatingcurrent practical limitations.

[0214] The fully quantum entanglement-based receiver for the vibrometerleverages advanced properties of entangled photon states to detect and analyzeDoppler shifts and scattering phenomena with unparalleled sensitivity. Central tothis implementation are NOON states, which are quantum superpositions of Nphotons in one mode and zero photons in another. These states, represented inbra-ket notation as^ ^ exhibit maximal quantum interference and phase sensitivity. This makes them par-ticularly valuable for measuring the small phase shifts caused by Doppler broaden-ing or elastic scattering in heated gases, enabling precise detection of fire-relatedgas dynamics.

[0215] In addition to NOON states, other forms of entangled states provideunique advantages depending on the sensing requirements. GHZ states, expressedas are suitable for multipartite entanglement scenarios where multiple spatial or spec-tral modes are analyzed simultaneously. EPR states, or Bell pairs, representedas enable robust two-mode entanglement, which can be exploited for direct correlation-based measurements between the probe and idler photons. Squeezed entangledstates, which combine squeezing with entanglement, o!er a balance between noiseresilience and measurement precision. These states are particularly e!ective innoisy environments such as atmosphericfire detection, where decoherence andlosses are significant concerns.

[0216] The entanglement receiver also benefits from exploring di!erent typesof entanglement tailored to specific applications. Frequency entanglement, forexample, correlates the frequencies of entangled photons, enabling precise spec-tral measurements that are particularly relevant for analyzing Doppler broadeningcaused by thermal motion in heated gases. Energy-time entanglement, on theother hand, uses temporal correlations between photons to enhance sensitivity totime-dependent changes in the scattering medium. Polarization entanglement, rep-resented as is useful for analyzing birefringence or other polarization-dependent e!ects in thescattering region. Path entanglement, where correlations exist between the spa-tial paths of photons, enables multi-path interference and is highly advantageousfor spatially resolved measurements. Orbital angular momentum (OAM) entangle-ment, expressed as^ ^ provides access to rotational Doppler e!ects, allowing the detection of swirling orturbulent motions in the gases. Finally, quantization entanglement, based on dis-crete photon number correlations, enables precise measurement of photon statisticsand quantum noise.

[0217] The choice of the optimal quantum state for the entanglement re-ceiver depends on environmental factors, photonflux, and the desired sensitivity.While NOON states maximize phase precision, they are fragile under decoher-ence and may not perform well in lossy environments. Hybrid states, such assqueezed NOON states, could provide enhanced sensitivity while maintaining re-silience against noise. Dynamically tunable entangled states, which adapt to en-vironmental changes, may also be advantageous for real-world applications. Bytailoring the quantum state to match specific requirements, the entanglement re-ceiver achieves maximum performance, paving the way for scalable, high-precisionquantum vibrometry infire detection and other dynamic sensing scenarios.

[0218] In Fig. 25 the specific attenuation of the atmosphere under di!erentconditions is plotted against EM frequency, wavelength, and photon energy inelectron volts. It is clear that an RF band of 30 mm to 3 mm is a low loss region ofthe EM spectrum under all environmental conditions. A second best choice is in theinfrared around 1 µm to 3 µm window, which is relatively transparent when thereis no rain. As rain tends to extinguish or at least impede the progress of wildfiresthe infrared band is also of some use, perhaps in closer infire suppression. The RFband has the advantage of penetrating power through the atmospherefilled withrain, mist, smoke, embers, trees, and non-conducting building materials, but it isin a highly congested region of the EM spectrum and governed by FCC regulationsin the US and similar regulatory bodies in other countries. The infrared band isnot as capable of penetrating the atmosphere or overcoming smoke and embers,but it is easier to work with to generate atmospheric detonations needed for thegeneration of acoustic shockwaves.

[0219] Afire detection and suppression system can sense the environmentby launching phase (or amplitude) coded Boomerang Light Beams BLBs, e.g.Bipolar Phase Shift Keyed (BPSK) encoded curved light beams, fromfixed Re-mote Forest Sentry (RFS) locations on the ground, which are located on aroughly 20 km grid in the forest. With each RFS protecting about 400 square kmof forest with afire detection resolution (earth pixel) of about 10 m x 10 m at themaximum range (halfway between RFS systems) from a roughly 10 m diameteraperture that is configuredflat on the earth at the RFS location and under a low-cost cover to protect the asset and have it blend into surroundings with the naturalsurroundings with camouflage. The above sizing parameters are only meant toprovide a rough estimate.

[0220] Each of these earth-pixels is scanned at electronic speeds. For ex-ample, a full scan of 10 million earth-pixels could be done every 50 seconds, ata BLB reposition rate of 200 kHz. Each separate stable dwell of the BLB im-prints a location-tagged pulse-modulated transmission code into the Doppler shiftsof heated gases, which are released in significant amounts in a forestfire. Pulsecoding helps with code-locking the low-level backscatter at the receiver, which maybe a well-known ghost spectrometer using quantum squeezed and / or entangledlight for enhanced detection. The pulse coding also helps to resolve ambiguous sig-nals between RFS stations. The temperature of thefire is encoded in the spectralbroadening of hot gases to help withfire identification and ensuring human andenvironmental safety before autonomous AI algorithms authorizes an engagementby fully automated Electronic Warfare (EW) and directed energy photopyroki-netic techniques, which detonate the atmosphere in and around the forestfire byintense light-fields that induce avalanche breakdown (a kind of localized lighting)to induce pulsed acoustic shock waves (a kind of localized thunder) to disrupt thefire by non-chemical means.

[0221] Thus, a photopyrokineticfire suppression system can be made fullyautonomous to suppressfires quickly over large areas. By keeping the system onthe ground and using light to suppressfires, the system becomes robust againstweather as well as the availability of water, personnel, air vehicle assets, and landvehicle assets. By using multiple spectral frequencies and spectral broadening toidentify the existence of afire and its temperature we provide a measure of safeautonomous operations.

[0222] A single RFS can also be stationed near high-value assets, such ascommunities that are near forested areas. If afire breaks out near the communitiesthe automated defense grid activates under the direction of a fast acting artificialintelligence and the local asset, with detailed maps of streets and structures, comeson-line forfire defense acting at the speed of light.

[0223] Fig 26 shows a high level diagram of a light-based photopyrokineticfire suppression system comprising: a light mode controller 26a and a light source26b, which taken together control at least one light beam 26c, which can scan agird of “earth pixels” 26d sequentially for a wildfire 26e. Once detected the modecontroller changes the character of the light source and the resulting light beamto extinguish thefire. This can include ember control modes andfire suppressionmodes. OTHER APPLICATIONS:Wildfire Suppression and Environmental Control: The main emphasis ofthis disclosure has been wildfire suppression using electronic warfare techniques, butthe underlying technology has numerous additional applications across a variety ofdomains. The system could start controlled wildfires to createfire breaks in areasat high risk of wildfire spread. These applications highlight the broad potential ofthe system to transform wildfire management and environmental control.Beamed Power Networks and Aerospace Applications: The system couldbe used to develop static and mobile beamed power networks, enabling wirelessenergy transfer for remote infrastructure or vehicles. Furthermore, the systemcould be harnessed for powering aircraft or even trans-atmospheric spacecraft, us-ing beamed energy to achieve continuous propulsion without relying on onboardfuel. Directed energy beams could also serve as propulsion systems for spacecraft,enabling e”cient interplanetary travel by eliminating the need for onboard fuel.It also allows for orbital debris clearing by ablation-based propulsion of targetedorbiting debris, which is a growing problem to orbital activities.Battlefield Applications and Defense: On the battlefield, the system couldfunction as a variable lethality howitzer, electronically generating shockwaves forarea denial or precision-targeted e!ects. It could also be adapted for remotelydetonating land mines to clear hazardous areas e”ciently and safely. The technol-ogy shows potential for anti-drone and anti-aircraft systems, where directed energyand shockwaves could neutralize aerial threats with precision. Additionally, missiledefense could benefit from the creation of intense acoustic shockwaves to disruptincoming projectiles, leveraging mechanical forces rather than relying on heat orlight beam interception.Underwater Applications: Extending the concept to underwater environments,the system could generate underwater shockwaves for use in anti-torpedo defense,marine exploration, or as a means to clear underwater mines. These shockwavescould also support applications in environmental remediation, such as breakingdown pollutants like oil spills, or seeding underwater ecosystems with controlledenergy inputs.Shaped Explosions and Manufacturing: In industrial and military contexts,the technology might replace shaped chemical explosives with electronically formedshaped explosions, allowing for precise control over blast geometry. Advanced man-ufacturing processes could also benefit from the system’s ability to enable precisematerial shaping, bonding, or deposition through controlled energy delivery. Forexample, directed shockwaves might weld dissimilar materials, or energy beamscould create ultrafine patterns for semiconductor fabrication or advanced electron-ics.Medical Technology: The system could enable non-invasive medical treatmentsby precisely generating localized shockwaves or controlled bursts of energy. Appli-cations include lithotripsy, where focused acoustic shockwaves break down kidneystones or gallstones, and targeted cancer therapy, where controlled pulses dis-rupt tumor growth while sparing surrounding tissue. High-intensity plasma couldalso inspire advancements in sterilization techniques, deactivating pathogens onmedical instruments. Additionally, shockwaves could accelerate wound healingby stimulating cellular repair processes, and directed acoustic energy might be usedfor non-invasive brain stimulation, aiding in conditions like Parkinson’s disease ordepression. The ability to use a MPMC to pre-distort EM energy to pass throughscattering tissues for focused attack on tumors, bone spurs, kidney stones, etc..ispossible.Agriculture: In agriculture, the system could revolutionize tasks such as non-contact fruit picking, where controlled acoustic waves gently detach ripe fruitwithout damage. It could also enable precision seed planting, embedding seedsinto soil at optimal depths while minimizing disturbance. Controlled shockwavescould loosen compacted soil, enhancing aeration and water absorption. For pestand disease management, the system could deliver localized pulses to disruptpests or pathogens without relying on chemical pesticides, o!ering an eco-friendlyalternative. Low-intensity acoustic waves could also aid crop pollination, partic-ularly in areas with declining bee populations.Entertainment: The technology could create dynamic, large-scale displays oflight, sound, and interactive elements for entertainment. By precisely controllingdirected energy and acoustic shockwaves, the system could producefirework-likevisual displays without explosives, o!ering a safer, reusable alternative. It couldalso project giant, interactive avatars in the sky, using structured light tocreate holographic images that can move, “speak,” or “sing.” Furthermore, itcould generate large-area soundscapes, synchronizing sound for outdoor eventsover vast areas without traditional speaker arrays.3D Printing of Homes and Space Habitats: The system could transform3D printing of homes and space habitats by leveraging its precision to compactconstruction materials like concrete or regolith layer by layer. For space habitats,the system could sinter or fuse layers of material using localized plasma bursts,eliminating the need for binders. It could also align layers and correct defects duringprinting, ensuring high-precision structures suitable for extreme environments. Inmicrogravity, directed energy could position and assemble materials, makingit invaluable for constructing modular habitats in orbit or on planetary surfaces.Private and Covert Communication: The system could enable private andcovert communication by directing energy along curved paths, such as struc-tured light beams or confined acoustic waves. This minimizes dispersion and re-duces interception risk. Structured beams like Bessel or Airy beams could followpredefined trajectories, bending around obstacles to “hide” signals within unusedregions of the spectrum. Shockwave-based communication o!ers another layer ofsecurity, transmitting encoded information through air or water in environmentsunsuitable for electromagnetic waves.Wireless Computer Interconnections: Structured light beams could revo-lutionize wireless computer interconnections by providing high-speed, low-latencydata transmission. Techniques like orbital angular momentum (OAM) encod-ing allow multiple data streams on a single beam, greatly increasing bandwidth.These beams reduce crosstalk, enable dynamic reconfiguration, and improve se-curity by confining signals to precise trajectories. Applications include replacingfiber-optic links in data centers, interconnecting chips in high-performance com-puting, and optimizing distributed computing networks.Atmospheric and Environmental Applications: The system could remotelydetect poison gases by analyzing Doppler shifts, scattering patterns, or absorptionsignatures, enabling identification even at low concentrations. Structured lightcould sense turbulence ahead of aircraft by detecting changes in the refractiveindex of air, improving aviation safety. For weather monitoring, directed beamscould map hurricanes and tornadoes, providing high-resolution data on atmosphericdynamics. The system could also seed the atmosphere with aerosols or ionizedparticles to promote condensation and create rainfall, o!ering solutions for droughtmitigation and weather pattern management.Optical Conveyor for Particulate Materials: The technology could be ad-apted to move vast quantities of particulate materials, such as water mist, drillinge(uent, or other microscopic particles, by utilizing structured light beams as anelectromagnetic conveyor belt. This concept builds on the principles of opticaltweezers, where light’s momentum and intensity gradients exert forces on particles,allowing them to be manipulated and transported. Unlike traditional optical tweez-ers, which typically handle a few particles at a time, structured light beams in thissystem could act on millions, billions, or even trillions of particles simultaneously,creating a scalable method for bulk material transport. For instance, during elec-tromagnetic (EM) ablative drilling into the Earth, e(uent particles generated bythe process could be directed away from the drilling site by light beams, minimizingcontamination and improving e”ciency. Similarly, water mist or aerosolized par-ticles could be collected and moved over large distances without physical contact,leveraging the precision and adaptability of structured light. By dynamically shap-ing and steering these beams, the system could selectively target specific particletypes based on size, material, or refractive properties, enabling advanced sort-ing and transport in both industrial and environmental applications. This opticalconveyor belt approach represents a significant advancement in material handlingtechnology, combining the precision of light with the scalability required for bulkoperations.Beam Bots for Deep Geothermal Energy Extraction: Extending the con-cept of power beaming, the technology could enable the deployment of beam bots,advanced devices capable of traveling deep into the Earth’s crust to capture energydirectly from geothermal sources. These beam bots would eliminate the need fortraditional steam-based energy extraction, which often requires large, ine”cient in-frastructure. Instead, the bots would utilize directed energy to extract and convertgeothermal heat into electromagnetic energy, which could then be beamed back tothe surface. This approach not only reduces the size and complexity of geothermalenergy systems but also allows for energy extraction in compact and previouslyinaccessible geothermal sites.

[0224] In addition to energy extraction, the beam bots could integrate ad-vanced capabilities for drilling, leveraging electromagnetic ablative techniques tocreate boreholes while simultaneously handling and removing tiny particulate ef-fluent through optical conveyor systems. These bots could potentially navigatecurved boreholes, enabling access to geothermal reservoirs that are not verticallyaligned, thereby increasing theflexibility and reach of geothermal energy projects.By combining drilling, e(uent management, and energy extraction into a singlesystem, beam bots could revolutionize geothermal energy, o!ering a highly e”cient,compact, and scalable solution for sustainable power generation.Critical Tech: The key to unlocking many of these applications is large-area,high-power, structured-light beams, where the modal properties of light are care-fully controlled. This can be accomplished with large-area MPMC technology thatis implemented with metafilm optics that is based on stress-yieldfluids.SPECIFICATION END NOTES:

[0225] First, while the above descriptions in each of the sections containsmany specific details. These details should not be construed as limiting the scopeof the invention, but merely providing illustrations of some of the possible methods,physical embodiments and applications. In particular, the present invention is thusnot limited to the above modeling and physical embodiments, but can be changedor modified in various ways on the basis of the general principles of the invention.

[0226] Second, every e!ort was made to provide accurate analysis of thephysics as part of teaching the disclosure. Nonetheless, typographical and othererrors in equations sometimes make it through reviews. This should not be consid-ered disqualifying in any way. Therefore, derivations, individual equations, texturaldescriptions, andfigures should be taken together so that clarity of meaning is as-certained from a body of information even in the case of unintended theoreticaland / or typographical errors. Also, note that many of thefigures in the disclosureare not to scale, but are instead provided to maximize understanding of the under-lying concepts. So again the totality of the disclosure is important to consider.

[0227] Third, the theoretical discussion provided in this disclosure may reusedsome mathematical symbols to mean di!erent things in di!erent locations of thetext for historical and pragmatic reasons. The meaning is readily discernible bythose skilled in the art when taken in context of the associated descriptions.

[0228] Fourth, many potential end-use applications follow from a few phys-ical principles and a few generic embodiments. There are more potential specificapplications than can reasonably be discussed and shown in detail withfigures.For example, remote power beaming from one point on the planet to another pointon the planet, even over the horizon, is possible with variations of this technology.This allows, for example, application like orbital debris clearing.

[0229] Fifth, the scope of the invention should in general be determined bythe appended claims and their equivalents jointly with the examples, embodiments,and theoretical analysis provided.INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY:

[0230] The directed energyfirefighting device has broad industrial applica-bility in mitigating large-scale wildfires, providing a rapid and e!ective alternativeto conventionalfirefighting methods. Beyondfirefighting, the system can be ap-plied to power beaming for various applications of remote power delivery such asorbital debris clearing. Its modular and multi-modal design makes it adaptable fordiverse industries, including energy, aerospace, and medicine, agriculture, whereprecise manipulation of light energy for controlled delivery is critical.

[0003] REFERENCE SIGNS LIST5a Ground 14c Launch Plane5b Canopy Fire 14d Max Angle Plane6a Detonation Zone 16a Transition Line6b Input Light 17a Toroid6c First Light Boundary 17b Coordinate6d Second Light Boundary 18a Poloidal Helicoid Wavefront6e Plasma 18b Toridal Rays6f Broadband Light 19a Toroidal Helicoid Wavefront6g Low Pressure Region 18b Poloidal Rays6h High Pressure Region 20a Mode Converter Segment6i Acoustic Propagation Arrow 20b Phase Screen7a Disk 20c Phase Shift Pixel7b Rectangle 20d Input Plane7c Annulus 20e Output Plane8a Input Light 20f Source Wave8b Plasma Ball 20g Source Wavefronts8c Array 20h Target Wave8d Local Wavefront 20i Source Wavefronts8e 1st Extended Wavefront 20j Abrupt Phase Shift8f Over-Pressure Plot 20k First Forward Direction9a 2nd Plasma Array 20l Second Forward Direction9b 2nd Extended Wavefront 20m Backward Propagation Direction9c 2nd Over-Pressure Plot 21a Phase Screen Stack12a Fire 21b Phase Screen12b EM Signal b 21c Phase Pixel12c EM Signal c 21d Input Port12d EM Signal d 21e Output Port12e Detonation Zone 22a First NFPA Antenna12f Time Arrow-1 22b Second NFPA Antenna12g Time Arrow-2 22c Colloid Metafilm12h Sub-Detonations 22d Wire Antenna Element12i Acoustic Wave 22e Wire Antenna Element12a Fire 26a Light Mode Controller13b Curved Light Beams 26b Light Source13c Range Ideal Light Beam 26c Light Beam13d Light Source 26d Earth Pixels13e Range 26e Wildfire14a Structured-Light Beam14b Beam Trajectory

Claims

CLAIMS What is claimed:

1. An apparatus, the apparatus comprising:A directed energy system comprising:A structured light generator configured to produce an elec-tromagnetic beam; andA directed energy controller operatively connected to thestructured light generator; wherein the directed energy controlleris configured to dynamically moderate properties of the electromag-netic beam, and the properties comprise trajectory, intensity, phase,polarization, orbital angular momentum, frequency, quantum entan-glement, or a combination thereof;wherein the electromagnetic beam is capable of inducing atmospherice!ects by electromagnetic energy transformation and deposition.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the electromagnetic beam is capable ofinducing ionization of air, atmospheric detonation, emission of sound waves, emission of shockwaves, or a combination thereof.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the directed energy system is configuredto direct the electromagnetic beam to multiple space-time locations to createa space-time acoustic array configured to focus sound to a region over time.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the directed energy system is configuredto induce a plurality of shockwaves.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the electromagnetic beam is capable ofpulverizing trees.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the electromagnetic beam is capable oftransporting liquid particles, solid nanoparticles, or a combination thereof toa desired space-time location.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the directed energy controller comprisesa directed energy source, a receiver, or both.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the electromagnetic beam comprises lightenergy from one or more wavelengths.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the directed energy system is capable ofdirecting the electromagnetic beam along a curved trajectory without refrac-tion.

10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the directed energy system is capable ofcausing the formation of vortex rings, vortex loops, or both.

11. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the electromagnetic beam is di!raction-resistant.

12. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the electromagnetic beam can penetrateclouds, water mist, airborne debris, trees, housing structures, embers, or acombination thereof.

13. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the directed energy system further com-prises a multi-plane mode converter configured to structure the trajectory,focal length, polarization, phase o!set, power level, intensity, entanglementstate, orbital angular momentum, particle trapping capacity, temporal ex-tent, or a combination thereof, of the electromagnetic beam.

14. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the directed energy system further com-prises a multi-plane mode converter, the multi-plane mode converter com-prises yield-stress liquids and nanoparticles in a colloid metafilm configuredto introduce a threshold to nanoparticle rotation until a threshold torque isreached, thereby allowing pixel activation based on electricfield strength.

15. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the directed energy system further com-prises a multi-plane mode converter, and the multi-plane mode converterfurther comprises nearfield phased array antennas.

16. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the directed energy system is configuredto detectfires, extinghishfires, or a combination thereof.

17. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the directed energy system is configured touse quantum entanglement, Doppler vibrometry, sampling of ground pixelsin a dense grid, or a combination thereof, to detectfire,fire suppression, ora combination thereof.

18. The apparatus of claim 1, where in the electromagnetic beam can be directedalong substantially curved trajectories.

19. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the electromagnetic beam is pulsed.

20. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the directed energy system employs or-thogonal electromagnetic modes to produce the electromagnetic beam.

21. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the electromagnetic beam is produced byaccelerated light beams that are non-paraxial solutions of Maxwell’s equa-tions.

22. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the directed energy system is configuredto adjust the electromagnetic beam characteristics based on atmospheric con-ditions.

23. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the electromagnetic beam comprises struc-tured light capable of trapping water, and transporting the water, and releas-ing the water.

24. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the directed energy system comprises anaperture.

25. The apparatus of claim 24, wherein the aperture is about 0.1 m to about10 m in diameter.

26. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the directed energy controller is configuredto communicate and collaborate with other directed energy system.

27. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the structured light generator comprisesa large-area spatial light modulator.

28. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the electromagnetic beam is configuredto induce atmospheric detonation in space and time to synthesize intensehypersonic sound waves.

29. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the structured light generator comprises asource, and the source comprises Gyrotrons, Traveling Wave Tubes, Klystrons,Magnetrons, Backward Wave Oscillators, Free Electron Lasers, Crossed-FieldAmplifiers, Relativistic Magnetrons, Vircators (Virtual Cathode Oscillators),Plasma-Based Microwave Generators, Cherenkov Devices, Gyro-BWO (Back-ward Wave Oscillator), Orbitrons, Smith-Purcell Radiation Sources, Dielec-tric Wakefield Accelerators, Parametric Amplifiers, Reentrant Cavities, He-licon Wave Sources, Metamaterial-Based Sources, Photonic Crystal Oscil-lators, Superradiant Sources, Quantum Cascade Lasers, or a combinationthereof.

30. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the electromagnetic beam comprises struc-tured light beams.

31. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the directed energy system is configuredto detect and utilizes quantum entanglement or Doppler vibrometry.

32. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the atmospheric e!ects comprise acousticsound waves, shockwaves, or a combination thereof.

33. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the atmospheric e!ects are capable ofdisrupting combustion processes.

34. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the directed energy system is configuredto use doppler-based sensing and vibrometry.

35. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the directed energy system is configuredto transfer power by the electromagnetic beam.

36. The system of claim 1, wherein said directed energy system is configured as aplatform technology capable of integrating multiple functionalities, includingwildfire suppression, power transmission, and environmental monitoring.

37. A method, the method comprising:Providing a directed energy system, wherein the directed energysystem comprises: a structured light generator configured to producean electromagnetic beam; and a directed energy controller operativelyconnected to the structured light generator;inducing atmospheric e!ects by the electromagnetic beam;38. The method of claim 37, further comprising focusing the electromagneticbeam to a region of the atmosphere.

39. The method of claim 37, wherein the atmosphere e!ects comprises ionization,local heating, atmospheric detonation, the emission of intense sound waves,or a combination thereof.

40. The method of claim 37, wherein the inducing comprises directing the elec-tromagnetic beam to multiple atmospheric locations to create a space-timeacoustic array that focuses sound waves to thefire.

41. The method of claim 37, wherein the inducing comprises creating a sequenceof shockwaves in rapid succession.

42. The method of claim 37, further comprising pulverizing fuel for thefire.

43. The method of claim 37, wherein the inducing comprises transporting waterfrom location to another with the electromagnetic beam.

44. The method of claim 37, wherein the electromagnetic beam comprises light,sound or both.

45. The method of claim 37, wherein the inducing comprises forming vortexrings, vortex loops, or both.

46. The method of claim 37, wherein the electromagnetic beam is directed throughclouds, water mist, and airborne debris to thefire.

47. The method of claim 37, further comprising forming the electromagneticbeam, wherein forming the electromagnetic beam comprises determining astructure light, trajectories, focal lengths, polarizations, phase o!sets, powerlevels, intensities, entanglement state, orbital angular momentum, particletrapping capacity, or a combination thereof.

48. The method of claim 37, further comprising forming the electromagneticbeam, wherein forming the electromagnetic beam comprises yield-stress liq-uids to introduce a threshold to nanoparticle rotation until a threshold torqueis reached, thereby allowing pixel activation based on electricfield strength.

49. The method of claim 37, further comprises multi-plane mode converter hav-ing Near Field Phased Array antennas to control phase over large areas.

50. The method of claim 37, further comprising detecting, wherein the detectingcomprises transmitting energy for detection, receive energy forfire detection,or both.

51. The method of claim 37, further comprising detecting, wherein the detect-ing comprises using quantum entanglement, Doppler vibrometry, sequentialsampling of ground pixels in a dense grid, or a combination thereof.

52. The method of claim 37, further comprising creating control burns, firebreaks, or a combination thereof.

53. The method of claim 37, wherein the electromagnetic beam is pulsed.

54. The method of claim 37, further comprising selecting modes, wherein themodes are orthogonal.

55. The method of claim 37, further comprising accelerating light beams thatare non-paraxial solutions of Maxwell’s equations.

56. The method of claim 37, converting the electromagnetic beam to electricity.

57. The method of claim 37, adjusting the electromagnetic beam based on at-mospheric conditions, temperature, humidity, wind speed, or a combinationthereof.

58. The method of claim 37, further comprising forming the electromagneticbeam, wherein the forming the electromagnetic beam comprises formingstructured light.

59. The method of claim 58, wherein the structured light comprises helicalbeams.

60. The method of claim 58, trapping particles with the structured light, trans-porting the particles, and releasing the particles.

61. The method of 58, wherein the forming the electromagnetic beam com-prises large-area spatial light modulator, spatial light modulator based onoptometaphoresis, or both.

62. The method of claim 37, further comprising cooperating with other directedenergy system.

63. The method of claim 37, wherein the suppressing thefire comprises usingmultiple directed energy modalities.

64. The method of claim 37, wherein the electromagnetic beam is a form of lightthat induces atmospheric detonation in space and time to synthesize intensehypersonic sound waves .

65. The method of claim 37, further comprises pulverizing a fuel source by usingthe electromagnetic beam to create a detonation zone.

66. The method of claim 37, creating the electromagnetic beam based on source,and the source comprises Gyrotrons, Traveling Wave Tubes, Klystrons, Mag-netrons, Backward Wave Oscillators, Free Electron Lasers, Crossed-FieldAmplifiers, Relativistic Magnetrons, Vircators (Virtual Cathode Oscillators),Plasma-Based Microwave Generators, Cherenkov Devices, Gyro-BWO (Back-ward Wave Oscillator), Orbitrons, Smith-Purcell Radiation Sources, Dielec-tric Wakefield Accelerators, Parametric Amplifiers, Reentrant Cavities, He-licon Wave Sources, Metamaterial-Based Sources, Photonic Crystal Oscil-lators, Superradiant Sources, Quantum Cascade Lasers, or a combinationthereof.

67. The method of claim 37, wherein the electromagnetic beam comprises lightbeams, Bessel beams, Laguerre-Gaussian modes, Airy beams, or a combina-tion thereof.

68. The method of claim 37, further comprising generating acoustic shockwaves,using the electromagnetic beam.

69. The method of claim 37, further comprising adapting properties of the elec-tromagnetic beam dynamically based on atmospheric conditions, humidity,temperature, wind speed, and combinations thereof.

70. The method of claim 37, further comprising transmitting power remotelyusing the electromagnetic beam.

71. The method of claim 37, further comprising detecting using quantum entan-glement Doppler vibromentry, or a combination thereof.

72. The method of claim 37, further comprising propulsion by hearing regions ofair or space plasma using the electromagnetic beam.

73. The method of claim 37, further comprising generating shockwaves in waterusing the electromagnetic beam.

74. The method of claim 37, further comprising seeding the clouds with theelectromagnetic beam.

75. The method of claim 37, further comprising manipulating particulate matterusing the electromagnetic beam.

76. An apparatus, wherein the apparatus is configured to create anelectromagnetic beam;the electromagnetic beam is characterized by a helical phase struc-ture comprising orbital angular momentum, defined by poloidal andtoroidal mode numbers m and n, respectively, wherein the phase struc-ture spirals along a curved trajectory of the electromagnetic beam;the electromagnetic beam exhibits an aperiodic and oscillating in-tensity structure in the direction perpendicular to propagation, whereinthe separation of intensity peaks and zero crossings defines a structuredelectromagnetic beam’s spatial trajectory, cross-sectional confinement,and focusing capability; andthe electromagnetic beam comprises a modal structure comprisingtransverse electric modes, transverse magnetic modes, or combinationsthereof.

77. The apparatus of claim 76, wherein the electromagnetic beam has a curvedtrajectory and a spiraling phase configured to enable precise energy depositionin a defined spatial region.

78. The apparatus of claim 76, wherein the electromagnetic beam is generatedusing a multi-plane mode converter comprising programmable phase screensconfigured to iteratively transform input electromagnetic modes into struc-tured electromagnetic beam modes.

79. The apparatus of claim 76, wherein the aperiodic and oscillating intensitystructure is substantially described by a Bessel function of thefirst kind.

80. The apparatus of claim 76, wherein the electromagnetic beam is formed bysuperimposing basic electromagnetic modes to create superposition modes.

81. A method, the method comprises:generating an electromagnetic beam, wherein the electromagneticbeam is characterized by a helical phase structure comprising orbitalangular momentum, defined by poloidal and toroidal mode numbers mand n, respectively, wherein the phase structure spirals along a curvedtrajectory of the beam; the electromagnetic beam exhibits an aperi-odic and oscillating intensity structure in the direction perpendicularto propagation trajectory, wherein a separation of intensity peaks andzero crossings defines a structured electromagnetic beam’s spatial trajec-tory, cross-sectional confinement, and focusing capability; and the elec-tromagnetic beam comprises a modal structure comprising transverseelectric modes, transverse magnetic modes, or combinations thereof.

82. The method of claim 81, wherein the electromagnetic beam has a curvedtrajectory without the need for interacting mater by refraction, reflection, ordi!raction, and a spiraling phase that enables precise energy deposition in adefined spatial region for directed energy applications.

83. The apparatus of claim 81, wherein the generating further comprises usinga Multi-Plane Mode Converter comprising programmable phase screens con-figured to iteratively transform input electromagnetic modes into structuredelectromagnetic beam modes.

84. The apparatus of claim 81, wherein the aperiodic and oscillating intensitystructure is substantially described by a Bessel function of thefirst kind.

85. The apparatus of claim 81, wherein the generating further comprises formingthe electromagnetic beam by superimposing basic electromagnetic modes tocreate superposition modes.

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