Optical remediation of atmospheric gases

Abstract

In various embodiments, a computer configured by the disclosed systems and executing steps in the disclosed methods determines the values of attributes, e.g., energy, temporal, and spatial, of a laser pulse generating a laser filament which increases an objective function subject to one or more constraints, e.g., plasma density, gas concentration, and cost, leading to the decrease in production or concentration of a gas of interest, e.g., an atmospheric gas trapping heat like carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide. A laser modulates the selected attribute-values of a laser pulse to generate a laser filament leading to said decrease.

Description

Attorney Docket No. 55018-0002W01OPTICAL REMEDIATION OF ATMOSPHERIC GASESCROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 63 / 755,057, filed on February 6, 2025, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] This disclosure relates to atmospheric gases trapping heat and systems and methods for remediating said gases, including decreasing the emissions and concentrations of said gases.BACKGROUND

[0003] Methane (CH4) has a global warming potential (" GWP") greater than the GWP of carbon dioxide (CO2): 27.9 times over 100 years and 81.2 times over 20 years, according to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (" IPCC"). Many proposals to decrease CH4 emissions and concentration focus on anthropogenic sources, e.g., agriculture, oil and gas, and landfills. However, natural sources (~314 Tg CH4 yr1) account for almost as much emissions as anthropogenic sources (-349 Tg CH4 yr’1), according to the IPCC (Canadell et al.).

[0004] Wetlands and freshwaters are the primary natural sources of CH4 emissions. They are a net source of CH4 emissions primarily because water in its liquid state, H2O (1), saturates their soils. Atmospheric molecular oxygen (O2) diffuses slowly in H2O (1) and wetland sediment. Anaerobic conditions in the sediment lead microorganisms to reduce CO2 to CH4.

[0005] Jackson argued no technology exists to mitigate natural sources of CH4 emissions: " If tropical wetlands increase methane emissions or if the Arctic permafrost starts thawing we have no technology for addressing those additional emissions We can turn a wrench in an oil and gas field to reduce methane emissions. There's no wrench we can turn to slow emissions from the Amazon or permafrost. "SUMMARY

[0006] This disclosure features systems and methods for remediating atmospheric gases absorbing heat (" AHG") from natural and anthropogenic sources including: wetlands, marshes, bogs, estuaries, floodplains, lakes, rivers, rice fields, other aqueous sedimentary environments, meltingAttorney Docket No. 55018-0002W01permafrost, melting ice caps, landfills, oil & gas tGasScattering≈ λ-4cilities, natural gas fired power plants, agriculture, deforestation, and fossil fuel combustion. The disclosed systems and methods decrease emission and concentration of an AHG, e.g., CH4, CO2, and nitrous oxide (N2O). The disclosed systems and methods control the energy attributes, temporal attributes, spatial attributes, focusing attributes, propagation directions, repetition rates, frequency, wavelength, pulse energy, intensity, polarization, and other attributes of one or more laser pulses (singular defined as " Laser Pulse" and plural defined as " Laser Pulses") (individually, each attribute is a member of the class " Laser Pulse Attribute" and collectively, the " Laser Pulse Attributes") to generate one or more laser filaments (singular defined as " Laser Filament" and plural defined as " Laser Filaments") which includes tailored Laser Filaments that participate in a variety of photo-induced chemical reactions involving AHGs. For example, in some embodiments, a computer and laser configured by the disclosed systems and executing steps in the disclosed methods produce Laser Pulses to generate tailored Laser Filaments that, relative to Laser Filaments not generated by Laser Pulses not controlled by a computer and a laser not configured by the disclosed systems and not executing steps in the disclosed methods: (a) increase the amount of hydroxyl radical (*OH) to oxidize CH4; (b) absorb the produced CO2 and sequester the carbon (C) (which this disclosure defines at Step 904 in connection with Method 900 illustrated in FIG. 9); (c) photodissociate ambient or produced CO2; (d) decrease ambient or produced ozone (O3) (where any O3 produced from execution of the steps in the disclosed methods is " Incremental O3"); and (e) use less energy and non-energy resources. Where this disclosure describes Laser Filaments photodissociating and photoionizing a gas of interest, it also describes photodissociation and photoionization of said gas of interest directly by the Laser Pulses that generate said Laser Filaments or in cases where the Laser Pulses do not generate said Laser Filaments.

[0007] A computer and laser configured by the disclosed systems and executing steps in the disclosed methods produce Laser Pulses to generate Laser Filaments achieving desired atmospheric chemistry outcomes in some embodiments through, inter alia, (a) preferentially photodissociating and photoionizing O2 over N2; (b) preferentially photodissociating and photoionizing O2 to yield one state, e.g., O(1D), over another state, e.g., O(3P); (c) photodissociating H2O (g) (this disclosure denotes water vapor as H2O or H2O (g), liquid water as H2O (1), and ice as H2O (s)) to produce 'OH; (d) photodissociating and photoionizing O2 and N2 in volumes of air with higher H2O (g) concentration than in volumes with lower H2O (g)Attorney Docket No. 55018-0002W01concentration; (e) photodissociating and photoionizing O2 and N2 in volumes of air with higher temperature than volumes with lower temperature; (f) photodissociating and photoionizing O2 and N2 in volumes of air with higher CH4 concentration relative to carbon monoxide (CO) concentration than in volumes with lower CH4 concentration relative to CO concentration; (g) preferentially photodissociating and photoionizing CH4 over N2; (h) modulating the timing of Laser Pulses to generate Laser Filaments to photodissociate more CH4 than otherwise; and (i) modulating the direction of Laser Pulses to generate Laser Filaments along a plurality of paths in a specified order.

[0008] A computer and laser configured by the disclosed systems and executing steps in the disclosed methods produce Laser Pulses to generate Laser Filaments which in the immediately preceding paragraph (a)-(c) produce 'OH and achieve desired atmospheric chemistry outcomes: (a) without increasing Incremental O3; or (b) with less Incremental O3 produced than photodissociation of O2 over N2, O('D) over O(3P), and H2O from Laser Filaments not generated by the disclosed systems and methods. A computer and laser configured by the disclosed systems and executing steps in the disclosed methods produce Laser Pulses to generate Laser Filaments achieving desired atmospheric chemistry outcomes using less energy and non-energy resources than Laser Filaments not generated by said systems and methods.

[0009] This disclosure achieves desired atmospheric chemistry outcomes by computing the set of Laser Pulse Attributes in one or more domains, e.g. energy, temporal, and spatial, which increase, up to and including a maximum of, an objective function by formulating and solving an optimization function subject to one or more equality constraints and inequality constraints reflecting the secondary effects of photodissociating and photoionizing a primary gas of interest. This disclosure describes how to formulate and solve said constrained optimization problem.

[0010] This disclosure describes hardware configured by the disclosed systems and executing steps in the disclosed methods including instructions implementing software and algorithms implementing artificial intelligence (" Al") and machine learning (" ML"). A computer and laser configured by the disclosed systems and executing steps in the disclosed methods use algorithms to improve the accuracy of predicting one or more outputs of decreasing emission and concentration of an AHG given a received input, adaptively adjust Laser Pulse Attributes to tGasScattering≈ λ-4cilitate remediation of AHGs, and increase or decrease production and concentration of other species. In one example, in some embodiments, a computer and laser configured by the disclosedAttorney Docket No. 55018-0002W01systems and executing steps in the disclosed methods can: decrease concentration of a first gas like CH4; not increase concentration of a second gas like O3; and use less energy and non-energy resources than otherwise.

[0011] This specification sets forth details, features, and advantages of one or more embodiments in the accompanying drawings, description, and claims below.DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0012] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an example system controlling production of Laser Pulses to generate Laser Filaments to decrease AHG emission and concentration.

[0013] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of another example system configuring a computer and laser to produce Laser Pulses to generate Laser Filaments to decrease AHG emission and concentration.

[0014] FIG. 3 is a flow diagram of an example sequence of atmospheric chemical reactions leading to net O3 production following the production of Laser Pulses to generate Laser Filaments at the same wavelengths and other attributes as solar irradiance.

[0015] FIG. 4 is a flow diagram of an example sequence of atmospheric chemical reactions leading to lower Incremental O3 production following the production of Laser Pulses with attribute-values different from those of solar irradiance to photodissociate and photoionize O2, N2, and O3.

[0016] FIG. 5 is a flow diagram of an example method including steps executed by a computer and laser producing Laser Pulses to generate Laser Filaments to decrease emission and concentration of an AHG.

[0017] FIG. 6A is a block diagram of an example system configuring a computer and laser to measure along a given path the atmospheric composition and at least one of the concentration, position, and flux of one or more gases and aerosols of interest at a first set of angles of arrival at spectrometers.

[0018] FIG. 6B is a block diagram of an example system configuring a computer and laser to measure along a given path the atmospheric composition and at least one of the concentration, position, and flux of one or more gases and aerosols of interest at a second set of angles of arrival at spectrometers.

[0019] FIG. 7 is a flow diagram of an example method including steps executed by a computer and laser measuring along a given path the atmospheric composition and at least one of the concentration, position, and flux of one or more gases and aerosols of interest.Attorney Docket No. 55018-0002W01

[0020] FIG. 8 is a block diagram of an example system configuring a computer and laser to measure plant absorption of one or more AHGs and soil sequestration of carbon.

[0021] FIG. 9 is a flow diagram of an example method including steps executed by a computer and laser measuring plant absorption of one or more AHGs and soil sequestration of carbon.

[0022] FIG. 10 is a block diagram of an example system configuring a computer and laser to modulate attributes of Laser Pulses that generate Laser Filaments.

[0023] FIG. 11 is a flow diagram of an example method including steps executed by a computer and laser modulating attributes of Laser Pulses that generate Laser Filaments.

[0024] FIG. 12 is a block diagram of an example system configuring a computer and laser to produce Laser Pulses to generate concentric Laser Filaments to produce and photodissociate O3.

[0025] FIG. 13 is a flow diagram of an example method including steps executed by a computer and laser producing Laser Pulses to generate concentric Laser Filaments to produce and photodissociate O3.

[0026] FIG. 14 is a block diagram of an example system configuring a computer and laser to produce Laser Pulses to generate rotating Laser Filaments to produce and photodissociate O3.

[0027] FIG. 15 is a flow diagram of an example method including steps executed by a computer and laser producing Laser Pulses to generate rotating Laser Filaments to produce and photodissociate O3.

[0028] FIG. 16 is a block diagram of an example system configuring a computer and laser to produce Laser Pulses to generate Laser Filaments propagating to a terminal device.

[0029] FIG. 17 is a flow diagram of an example method including steps executed by a computer and laser producing Laser Pulses to generate Laser Filaments propagating to a terminal device.

[0030] FIG. 18 is a block diagram of an example system configuring a computer and laser to modulate attributes of Laser Pulses that generate Laser Filaments whose propagation depends on the atmospheric absorption / scattering.

[0031] FIG. 19 is a flow diagram of an example method including steps executed by a computer and laser modulating attribute-values of Laser Pulses that generate Laser Filaments whose propagation depends on the atmospheric absorption / scattering.

[0032] FIG. 20A is a schematic diagram of an example sequence of reactions that occur during photodissociation of O2 and N2 illustrated in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4.

[0033] FIG. 20B is a schematic diagram of a detail set of reactions in FIG. 20 A.Attorney Docket No. 55018-0002W01

[0034] FIG. 20C is a schematic diagram of a detail reaction in FIG. 20A.

[0035] FIG. 20D is a schematic diagram of another detail reaction in FIG. 20A.

[0036] FIG. 21 is a schematic diagram of the sequence of reactions depicted in FIG. 20A.

[0037] FIG. 22 is a diagram of the bond energy and ionization energy of O2 and N2.

[0038] FIG. 23 is a diagram of an example set of potential products from O2 photodissociation and photoionization.

[0039] FIG. 24 is a diagram of an example set of potential products from N2 photodissociation and photoionization.

[0040] FIG. 25 is a table listing the dissociation and ionization thresholds for different N2 species.

[0041] FIG. 26 is a molecular orbital diagram of O2.

[0042] FIG. 27 is a molecular orbital diagram of N2.

[0043] FIG. 28 is a table listing for example wavelengths of Laser Pulse their associated effective nonlinear order of ionization.

[0044] FIG. 29 is a chart illustrating example relationships between: (a) photodissociation and photoionization absorption cross sections of O2 and N2; and (b) wavelength of radiation.

[0045] FIG. 30 is a chart illustrating example selected photodissociation and photoionization absorption cross sections of O2 and N2 as a function of radiation wavelength.

[0046] FIG. 31 is a table listing example values in an illustrated solution of an objective function a function of two variables, A and I.

[0047] FIG. 32 is a chart illustrating example relationships in an illustrated solution between: (a) z and Z; and (b) an objective function.

[0048] FIG. 33A is a surtGasScattering≈ λ-4ce chart illustrating example relationships in an illustrated solution between (a) and I and (b) an objective function, subject to a plasma density constraint.

[0049] FIG. 33B is a column chart illustrating example relationships in an illustrated solution between (a) and I and (b) an objective function, subject to a plasma density constraint.

[0050] FIG. 34 is a flow diagram of an example method including steps executed by a computer determining a constraint of producing sufficient pulse energy to support an energy reservoir.

[0051] FIG. 35 is a flow diagram of an example method including steps executed by a computer determining a constraint of producing no more than a specified amount of a gas of interest.Attorney Docket No. 55018-0002W01

[0052] FIG. 36 is a flow diagram of an example method including steps executed by a computer determining a constraint of incurring no more than a specified threshold of costs of producing Laser Pulses.

[0053] FIG. 37 is a flow diagram of an example method including steps executed by a computer to formulate and solve a constrained optimization problem using a Lagrange multiplier.

[0054] FIG. 38 is a flow diagram of an example method including steps executed by a computer to formulate and solve a constrained optimization problem using a Lagrange multiplier satisfying Karush-Kuhn-Tucker conditions.

[0055] FIG. 39 is a flow diagram of an example method including steps executed by a computer to formulate and solve a constrained optimization problem using a Lagrange multiplier in a dual problem formulation.

[0056] FIG. 40 is a flow diagram of an example method including steps executed by a computer to formulate and solve a constrained optimization problem using a derivative computation.

[0057] FIG. 41 is a flow diagram of an example method including steps executed by a computer to formulate and solve a constrained optimization problem using an evolutionary algorithm.

[0058] FIG. 42 is a flow diagram of an example method including steps executed by a computer to formulate and solve a constrained optimization problem yielding O(3P) production from O2 photodi s soci ati on.

[0059] FIG. 43 is a flow diagram of an example method including steps executed by a computer to formulate and solve a constrained optimization problem yielding O('D) production from O2 photodi s soci ati on.

[0060] FIG. 44 is a flow diagram of an example method including steps executed by a computer to formulate and solve a constrained optimization problem yielding ’OH production from H2O photodi s soci ati on.

[0061] FIG. 45 is a flow diagram of an example method including steps executed by a computer to formulate and solve a constrained optimization problem yielding CH4 oxidation depending on H2O concentration.

[0062] FIG. 46 is a flow diagram of an example method including steps executed by a computer to formulate and solve a constrained optimization problem yielding CH4 oxidation depending on temperature.Attorney Docket No. 55018-0002W01

[0063] FIG. 47 is a flow diagram of an example method including steps executed by a computer to formulate and solve a constrained optimization problem yielding CH4 oxidation depending on CO concentration.

[0064] FIG. 48 is a flow diagram of an example method including steps executed by a computer to formulate and solve a constrained optimization problem photodissociating CH4.

[0065] FIG. 49 is a flow diagram of an example method including steps executed by a computer to formulate and solve a constrained optimization problem photodissociating CO2 and limiting O3 production.

[0066] FIG. 50 is a flow diagram of an example method including steps executed by a computer to formulate and solve a constrained optimization problem photodissociating CO2 and oxidizing CH4.

[0067] FIG. 51 is a flow diagram of an example method including steps executed by a computer to formulate and solve a constrained optimization problem photodissociating N2O.

[0068] FIG. 52 is a block diagram of an example system configuring a computer and laser to produce Laser Pulses to generate Laser Filaments increasing an objective function in the temporal domain.

[0069] FIG. 53 is a flow diagram of an example method including steps executed by a computer to formulate and solve a constrained optimization problem in the temporal domain.

[0070] FIG. 54 is a block diagram of an example system configuring a computer and laser to produce Laser Pulses to generate Laser Filaments increasing an objective function in the spatial domain.

[0071] FIG. 55 is a flow diagram of an example method including steps executed by a computer to formulate and solve a constrained optimization problem in the spatial domain.

[0072] FIG. 56 is a block diagram of an example system configuring a computer and laser to formulate and solve a constrained optimization problem in the energy, temporal, and spatial domains.

[0073] FIG. 57 is a flow diagram of an example method including steps executed by a computer to formulate and solve a constrained optimization problem in the energy, temporal, and spatial domains.

[0074] FIG. 58 is a block diagram of an example machine learning system configured to modulate attributes of Laser Pulses to generate adaptively Laser Filaments.Attorney Docket No. 55018-0002W01

[0075] FIG. 59 is a flow diagram of an example machine learning method modulating attributes of Laser Pulses to generate adaptively Laser Filaments.

[0076] Like reference symbols in the various drawings indicate like elements.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0077] While existing proposals use optical techniques to control Laser Pulses or photodissociate AHGs, they do not address the complex atmospheric chemical environment of which AHGs are a part and do not account for secondary effects arising from generating new chemical species via photodissociation, photoionization, and chemical reactions. For example, photodissociating O3 in an environment with H2O and CH4 could - without intervention - lead to a positive loop of increasing O3 concentration. Specifically, each O3 molecule photodissociated yields products (including the ‘OH oxidizing CH4) and reactions that in some embodiments lead to the production of a plurality of new O3 molecules (" O3 Positive Feedback Loop"). Moreover, some attempts to decrease concentration of one AHG can unintentionally increase concentration of another AHG. ‘OH is highly reactive and the primary gas oxidizing CH4. Yet decreasing fossil fuel combustion and CO2 emission can ironically lead to higher concentration of CH4 (Peng et al.). Less fossil fuel combustion will lead to less emissions of NO2, which in nature and in the troposphere is a principal precursor molecule leading to production of O3. Less tropospheric O3 in turn will lead to less ‘OH available to oxidize CH4, especially CH4 emitting from natural sources like wetlands and freshwaters. At the same time, ‘OH oxidation of CH4 in the presence of NOXleads to the production of Incremental O3 which at ground level can harm humans, animals, and plants.

[0078] This disclosure features systems and methods in some embodiments decreasing concentration of AHGs, e.g., CH4 and CO2, while, inter alia, interfering with the O3 Positive Feedback Loop. Instead of producing ‘OH through solar irradiance photodissociating NO2 as occurs in nature, the disclosed systems configure a computer and laser to execute steps in the disclosed methods that in some embodiments produce ‘OH through preferential photodissociation and photoionization of O2 over N2, preferential photodissociation of O2 to yield O(1D) over O(3P), and photodissociation of H2O, while producing less Incremental O3. The disclosed systems configure a computer and laser to execute steps in the disclosed methods that produce more ‘OH to oxidize CH4 while producing less Incremental O3 than would be produced otherwise by, inter alia, (a) producing Laser Pulses at wavelengths and peak intensity to generate Laser FilamentsAttorney Docket No. 55018-0002W01more likely to photodissociate and photoionize O2 instead of N2; (b) producing Laser Pulses at wavelengths and peak intensity to generate Laser Filaments less likely to photodissociate and photoionize N2 leading to N+production which in turn is less likely to lead to production of NOXand in turn Incremental O3; (c) producing Laser Pulses at wavelengths and peak intensity to generate Laser Filaments more likely to photodissociate H2O; (d) varying production of Laser Pulses to generate Laser Filaments depending on the environment, e.g., temperature, pressure, and ambient concentration of other gases; (e) focusing production of Laser Pulses to generate Laser Filaments in volumes of air with higher H2O concentration than volumes with lower H2O concentration; (f) focusing production of Laser Pulses to generate Laser Filaments in volumes of air with lower CO concentration than volumes of air with higher CO concentration; (g) modulating the timing of producing Laser Pulses to decrease Incremental O3 concentration; and (h) focusing production of Laser Pulses to generate Laser Filaments in paths more likely to lead to CH4 oxidation than Incremental O3 production.

[0079] In some embodiments, instead of attempting to decrease Incremental O3 production through prolonged O3 photodissociation along a given path, the disclosed systems configure a computer and laser to execute steps in the disclosed methods to oxidize CH4 with less Incremental O3 production by producing Laser Pulses at combinations of wavelengths and peak intensities leading to less Incremental O3 production and exploiting high laser pulse repetition rates over a plurality of different paths to oxidize more CH4 than otherwise.

[0080] This disclosure features systems and methods of producing Laser Pulses to generate Laser Filaments that increase production of gases and decrease production of other gases in such a manner to achieve specified atmospheric chemical outcomes using less energy and non-energy resources than otherwise.

[0081] Unless otherwise defined, all scientific and technical terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this disclosure belongs. Although disclosed systems and methods similar or equivalent to those described herein practice or test the subject matter herein, this disclosure describes suitable systems and methods below. This disclosure incorporates by reference in their entirety all publications, patent applications, patent, and other reference mentioned herein. In case of conflict, this specification, including definitions, controls. In addition, this disclosure describes systems, methods, and examples only to illustrate and does not intend to limit them. An entity practicing the disclosedAttorney Docket No. 55018-0002W01systems and methods can employ variations, changes, additions, deletions, combinations, divisions, and substitutions without departing from their scope. While this disclosure specifies machines, systems, components, processes, methods, steps, elements, sequences, equations, formulas, reactions, attributes, and values, it is not limited to those embodiments and can specify alternatives, equivalents, additions, and deletions which achieve the same or similar purpose. While this disclosure specifies steps sequentially, it is not limited to those embodiments and can specify steps executed by a computer and a laser sequentially, in parallel, or in different order than specified. While this disclosure in some embodiments specifies estimates or exact values or thresholds, it is not limited to those embodiments and can specify estimates, values, or thresholds approximately equal to or within specified confidence intervals of said estimates, values, or thresholds. While this disclosure describes systems executing steps in disclosed methods producing Laser Pulses to generate Laser Filaments that photodissociate and photoionize one or more gases, it is not limited to those embodiments and can produce Laser Pulses that directly photodissociate and photoionize one or more gases in the absence of Laser Filaments. While this disclosure in some embodiments describes systems executing steps in disclosed methods producing Laser Pulses to generate Laser Filaments in wavelengths in the ultraviolet band, it is not limited to those embodiments and can produce Laser Pulses to generate Laser Filaments in wavelengths other than ultraviolet, either longer, e.g., visible, infrared, or wavelengths longer than infrared, or shorter, e.g., X-ray (also referred to as Röntgen), gamma, or wavelengths shorter than gamma. While this disclosure in some embodiments describes systems executing steps in disclosed methods producing Laser Pulses to generate Laser Filaments with intensity no higher than a specified threshold, e.g., a clamped intensity, it is not limited to those embodiments and can produce Laser Pulses to generate Laser Filaments with intensity exceeding said specified threshold and can produce Laser Pulses with higher pulse energies than levels required to generate Laser Filaments at clamped intensity.

[0082] Unless otherwise stated, where this disclosure describes a system executing steps in a disclosed method to increase or decrease (or its equivalent or any variation thereof, e.g., more or less, larger or smaller, or higher or lower) a measure, production, concentration, output, or equivalent, it means increase or decrease relative to a measure, production, concentration, output, or equivalent caused by a system not executing steps in a disclosed method. For example, a disclosed method including steps to produce ‘OH oxidizing CH4 while decreasing production ofAttorney Docket No. 55018-0002W01Incremental O3 produces a smaller amount of Incremental O3 than a method producing ‘OH oxidizing CH4 not disclosed herein. In another example, a disclosed method including steps to photoionize N2in the presence of higher H2O concentration produces fewer N+than a method photoionizing N2 not disclosed herein. Where this disclosure describes a computer configured by the disclosed systems and executing steps in the disclosed methods to increase the value of an objective function, it is not limited to those embodiments and can increase, up to and including a maximum of, the value of said objective function. For example, a disclosed method includes steps to modulate attributes of Laser Pulses to generate Laser Filaments that increase the difference between the amount of O2401 photodissociated and the amount of N2402 photoionized which includes not only any increase in said difference but also one or more local maxima or a global maximum of said difference. Where this disclosure describes a computer configured by the disclosed systems and executing steps in the disclosed methods to decrease an objective function, it is not limited to those embodiments and can decrease, down to and including a minimum of, an objective function. While this disclosure describes in some embodiments a computer configured by the disclosed systems and executing steps in the disclosed methods to decrease production or concentration of a gas of interest, it is not limited to those embodiments and can change, including decreasing or increasing, the production or concentration of the gas of interest. This disclosure in some embodiments describes a number interchangeably equal to "one or more" or "at least one".Systems and Methods of Decreasing Total GWP

[0083] FIG. 1 illustrates an example computing System 100 controlling the production of Laser Pulses to generate Laser Filaments to decrease emission and concentration of an AHG. System 100 includes: Computer 101 which includes Processor 111 and Memory 112, which together enables Algorithm 121 to determine the set of attribute-value pairs that control Laser Pulses generating Laser Filaments (" Selected Laser Attribute- Values 161"). Processor Ill is any system capable of processing data and instructions including: a system for general purpose computing, e.g., a central processing unit (" CPU"); a system for accelerated computing, e.g., a graphics processing unit (" GPU"); a system for accelerated deep learning, e.g., a deep learning accelerator (" DLA") or neural processing unit (" NPU"); a system for accelerated encoding, e.g., an encoding accelerator (" ENC"); a system for accelerated decoding, e.g., a decoding accelerator (" DEC"); a system for transporting data around a data center and processing data, e.g., a data processing unit (" DPU"); a system for processing natural language, e.g., a language processing unit (" LPU"); andAttorney Docket No. 55018-0002W01a system for processing data by computing in qubits in the form of atomic particles like ions or subatomic particles like electrons or photons representing a plurality of quantum states, instead of bits representing only two states of electrical current, e.g., a quantum processing unit (" QPU"). An attribute-value pair comprises an attribute or property representing the name of a parameter and the value representing the value of the parameter. For example, a set of attribute-value pairs controlling the production of Laser Pulses includes: (a) a first attribute-value pair comprising the attribute, laser pulse peak intensity, and its value, ~1013watts (W) cm-2; and (b) a second attributevalue pair comprising the attribute, laser pulse wavelength, and its value, ~242.4 nm. Said example attribute-value pair set would produce a laser pulse with ~1013W cm-2peak intensity at a ~242.4 nm wavelength.

[0084] Algorithm 121 is a computer program stored in a Memory 112 and executed by Processor 111. Either Memory 112 stores Algorithm 121 or a storage medium (not depicted in FIG. 1) external to Computer 101 transfers Algorithm 121 into Memory 112 for execution by Processor 111. Algorithm 121 includes one or more steps involving at least receiving one or more values as input, processing said values in accordance with a relationship between input(s) and output(s), and producing the output(s). In this disclosure, Algorithm 121 is a computer program which, inter alia, controls a machine, e.g., how Computer 101 computes a function or Laser 222 modulates Laser Pulses. Algorithm 121 includes a computer program executed by Processor 111 capable of thinking, learning, reasoning, and executing actions without explicitly encoded instructions or commonly known as artificial intelligence (Al). Al can produce different classes of outputs, including a prediction, a prescription, and a generation. Al can receive structured or unstructured data, process said data, and produce an output. Al includes a computer program executed by Processor 111 that can receive: (a) structured data without explicitly encoded instructions or commonly known as ML; and (b) unstructured data which Algorithm 121 (i) extracts, loads, and transforms, or (ii) extracts, transforms, and loads into a structure Algorithm 121 can process. Algorithm 121 includes a computer program executed by Processor 111 based on a model capable of processing data, including text, image, audio, video, or other modality and predicting an output in the same or other modality. Algorithm 121 includes a computer program executed by Processor 111 based on a model capable of processing data in one or more modalities.

[0085] Where this disclosure describes a system executing steps in a disclosed method using an equation or formula to compute a value of interest, solving the equation, or computing the formula,Attorney Docket No. 55018-0002W01the disclosure uses an application including: a pattern matching application, a pattern recognition application, a deep learning application, a predictive Al application, a prescriptive Al application, a generative Al application, a conversational Al application, a ML application, an application using a language model, including a large language model (" LLM") characterized by, inter alia, a number of parameters above a specified threshold and a small language model (" SLM") characterized by, inter alia, a number of parameters below a specified threshold, an application using a quantitative model, including a large quantitative model (" LQM"), and an application using a reasoning model characterized by, inter alia, applying logic, rules, and relationships, e.g., causeeffect, to make decisions, including a large reasoning model (" LRM"). The language models include a model pre-trained, trained, fine-tuned, inferenced, or deployed at one or more locations or devices including: (a) a device at the edge of a network serving a single Laser 222, e.g., Computer 101 connected wired or wirelessly with a Laser 222; (b) a device at the edge of a network serving a plurality of Lasers 222, e.g., Computer 101 connected wired or wirelessly with a plurality of Lasers 222; and (c) a device at the center of a network serving one or more Lasers 222, e.g., Computer 101 located at Data Cloud 2611. The quantitative models, e.g., an LQM, include a model pre-trained, trained, fine-tuned, inferenced, or deployed at one or more locations to execute functions, including predicting the behavior of subatomic particles, atoms, molecules, and ions in response to different amounts and classes of energy, e.g., photons. The quantitative models, e.g., an LQM, receive data from quantitative sources, create data based on mathematical equations and natural law principles, e.g., laws governing physics, chemistry, and biology, and pre-train and train models based on said data.

[0086] The language models include a model pre-trained and trained depending on: (a) data subject domains including: (i) a general subject model pre-trained and trained on a data set comprising data from a plurality of subjects; and (ii) a specific subject model pre-trained and trained on a data set comprising data from a single subject like mathematics, biology, chemistry, physics, physical chemistry, or atmospheric chemistry; (b) data location domains including: (i) a general location model pre-trained and trained on a data set comprising data from a plurality of locations; and (ii) a specific location model pre-trained and trained on a data set comprising data from a single location; (c) data quality domains including: (i) a general quality model pre-trained and trained on a data set comprising data from one or more unfiltered corpora like Common Crawl data; and (ii) a specific quality model pre-trained and trained on a data set comprising data fromAttorney Docket No. 55018-0002W01one or more filtered corpora like Wikipedia; and (d) data authenticity domains including: (i) a language model pre-trained and trained on a data set comprising data whose source is actual or real data like measurements of actual atmospheric concentration; and (ii) a language model pretrained and trained on a data set comprising data whose source is synthetic or not real like artificially generated atmospheric concentration data. In one example, this disclosure describes a system executing steps in a disclosed method which can solve an equation using a specific subject domain language model pre-trained and trained on physical chemistry data including: scientific papers reviewing physical chemistry, web data containing physical chemistry, and computational tools applied in physical chemistry. In another example, this disclosure describes a system executing steps in a disclosed method which can solve an equation using a specific location domain language model pre-trained and trained on any class of subject data limited to a single location, e.g., a wetland. In another example, this disclosure describes a system executing steps in a disclosed method which can solve an equation using a specific subject domain language model pre-trained and trained on a target corpus. In another example, this disclosure describes a system executing steps in a disclosed method which can solve an equation using a language model pretrained and trained on synthetic atmospheric concentration data, e.g., data which are a synthetic representation of actual data and an extension of said synthetic representation.

[0087] The language models also include a model which applies a function to generate of output data depending on input data, e g., generating a function based on the plasma density produced by a Laser Pulse with specified wavelength and intensity, commonly known as deductive reasoning. The language models also include a model which generates a function from a set of input-output relationships, e.g., inferring a function from a set of relationships between Laser Pulse wavelengths and intensity and resulting plasma density, commonly known as inductive reasoning.

[0088] The language models also include a model which reads a set of input data to produce a set of output data based on an equation or formula which: (a) already exists and reads from existing data, e.g., public or private data sets like Wolfram|Alpha set of equations and formulas; (b) the model generates ab initio based on existing laws of nature or natural phenomena; and (c) the model generates ab initio not based on existing laws of nature or natural phenomena. In the latter cases (b) and (c), the model collects and analyzes said data and uses such analysis to predict any function (which may differ from well-known functions) in this disclosure, including predicting the behavior of subatomic particles, atoms, molecules, and ions in response to different amounts and classes ofAttorney Docket No. 55018-0002W01energy, e.g., photons. In a first example, the model in some embodiments predicts a different set of products at different wavelength thresholds than predicted by the well-known O2 401 photodissociation reaction described in Reaction 22.2. In a second example, the model in some embodiments predicts a different relationship between the rate of O2401 photodissociation as a function of F, a, and than predicted by the well-known photodissociation rate described in Equation 22.3. While this disclosure in some embodiments uses well-known equations or formulas to compute an output as a function of one or more inputs, it is not limited to those embodiments and can use ab initio equations or formulas generated by a model based on existing or non-existing laws of nature or natural phenomena.

[0089] The language models also include a model which generates a set of output data from querying any set of input data, equations, and formulas including: (a) querying said data created, read, updated, and stored through any disclosed systems and methods; and (b) querying said data created, read, updated, and stored by systems and methods not disclosed (" Third-Party Data"). The disclosed systems and methods can read data and compute equations and formulas from Third-Party Data through an application programming intertGasScattering≈ λ-4ce (" API") accessing Third-Party Data, e.g., a Wolfram|Alpha API.

[0090] While this disclosure describes a system executing steps in a disclosed method computing a value of interest, solving an equation, or computing a formula, it is not limited to those embodiments and can predict or generate an output of any class, e.g., a recommendation to select among a plurality of options, a decision selecting one option among a plurality of options, an execution of a plurality of steps in a method, or a text, image, video, or audio description of the atmospheric composition of a volume of interest. In some embodiments, a computer configured by the disclosed systems and executing steps in the disclosed methods uses a LLM where performance on metrics like speed and accuracy is more important and constraint on resources like processors, memory, and other inputs, e.g., energy, is less important, e.g., in a computer operating in a cloud. In other embodiments, a computer configured by the disclosed systems and executing steps in the disclosed methods uses a SLM where specialization of domains in subject or location generates more accurate performance in said domains and constraint on resources like processors, memory, and other inputs, e.g., energy, is more important, e.g., in a computer operating locally or at the edge. In some embodiments, a computer configured by the disclosed systems includes Processor 111 — located locally with and connected directly via wireline or wireless to a laser —Attorney Docket No. 55018-0002W01executing steps in the disclosed methods, e.g., a language model for a single laser (commonly known as edge Al or on-device Al), i.e., Processor 111 executing steps in a language model for one laser. In other embodiments, a computer configured by the disclosed systems includes Processor 111 — located remotely from a laser — executing steps in the disclosed methods, e.g., a language model for a plurality of lasers (commonly known as server Al or cloud Al), i.e., Processor 111 executing steps in a language model for one or more lasers in a given region or globally. In said latter embodiments, a computer configured by the disclosed systems includes Processor 111 executing steps in a language model for a plurality of lasers, e.g., the two Lasers 222 illustrated in FIG. 54 photodissociating AHGs above a single Water Body 201, and Processor 111 executing steps in a language model for a plurality of lasers photodissociating AHGs over a plurality of Water Bodies 201. In some embodiments, a computer configured by the disclosed systems includes a plurality of Processors 111 distributed across a plurality of locations executing steps in the disclosed methods allocates data and instructions across said plurality of Processors 111 depending on attributes including time, energy, and cost.

[0091] Processor 111 executes Algorithm 121 to determine said input-output relationship through executing one or more of the following methods: (a) regression analysis where Processor 111 executes the steps in Algorithm 121 to fit a mathematical function or line of best fit through a set of data from one or more databases including: (i) Data: Local 131 which includes stored data on or relating to one or more volumes of interest in which a Laser 222 (described in connection with System 200 illustrated in FIG. 2) directly operates; (ii) Data: Global 132 which includes stored data on or relating to one or more volumes of interest other than one in which a Laser 222 directly operates; (iii) Training Data 141; (iv) Validation Data 142; and (v) Constraints 143; ((i)-(v) collectively " Source Data"); (b) pattern matching where Processor 111 executes the steps in Algorithm 121 to search for a specific sequence or placement of blocks or tokens of characters in a set of data from Source Data; (c) pattern recognition where Processor 111 executes the steps in Algorithm 121 to recognize patterns or feature similarities in a set of data from Source Data; and (d) neural networks where Processor 111 executes the steps in Algorithm 121 to process nodes comprising input nodes, hidden nodes, and output nodes by activating a node if its output exceeds a specified threshold and passing said output through an activation function to determine the final output. In some embodiments, Algorithm 121 generates one or more sets of Candidate Laser Attribute-Values 151 based on Observation 123, computes Score 124 for each set of CandidateAttorney Docket No. 55018-0002W01Laser Attribute- Values 151, and selects the set of Candidate Laser Attribute-Values 151 best achieving Goal 122, which Algorithm 121 determines as Selected Laser Attribute- Values 161. As explained in greater detail in connection with System 2600 illustrated in FIG. 58 and Method 2700 illustrated in FIG. 59, Algorithm 121 includes a variety of programmatic sequences, including deterministic sequences of steps and ML routines or modules.

[0092] Training Data 141 include data used to fit initially and improve parameters of one or more prediction models in Algorithm 121. Training Data 141 include data which are available publicly or privately, licensed or unlicensed, and synthetically or non-synthetically generated. Validation Data 142 include data used to evaluate one or more prediction models in Algorithm 121.

[0093] Computer 101 configured by the disclosed systems and executing steps in the disclosed methods generates, stores, searches, and retrieves Source Data in a form including: (a) a relational database representing data in rows and columns; and (b) a vector database representing data as an ordered list or sequence of numbers in a plurality of dimensions which allows search and matching of similar as well as exact values.

[0094] FIG. 2 illustrates an example System 200 configuring Computer 101 and Laser 222 to produce Laser Pulses to generate Laser Filaments to increase or decrease emission and concentration of a gas, e.g., an AHG. In some embodiments, System 200 during operation decreases said emission and concentration of one AHG, e.g., CH4 214, while decreasing the production and concentration of another gas, e.g., O3. While this disclosure describes embodiments of the systems and methods for producing Laser Pulses to generate Laser Filaments to decrease emission and concentration of a first gas while decreasing the net and incremental production and concentration of a second gas, this disclosure is not limited to said embodiments. Other embodiments of the disclosed systems and methods produce Laser Pulses to generate Laser Filaments to increase or decrease emission and concentration of either gas. For example, in some embodiments, the disclosed systems and methods increase concentration of O3 303 in areas, e.g., the stratosphere, where existing O3 303 concentration may be insufficient to absorb ultraviolet radiation.

[0095] System 200 includes: (a) Computer 101; (b) a platform, e.g., Tower 221, Drone 1603, MAV 1606 as described in System 1600 illustrated in FIG. 16, and Satellite 226 (" Platform") to which System 200 can connect devices configured by the disclosed systems and executing steps in the disclosed methods, e.g., Computer 101 and Laser 222; (c) Laser 222; and (d) a set of LaserAttorney Docket No. 55018-0002W01Filaments generated by Laser Pulses produced by Laser 222 with high enough intensities, e.g., ultrashort Laser Pulses, which the disclosed systems and methods use to photodissociate and photoionize a gas of interest. In some embodiments, System 200 replaces (d) with a first set of Laser Filaments 234 generated by Laser Pulses produced by Laser 222 with high enough intensities, e.g., ultrashort Laser Pulses, which the disclosed systems and methods use to photodissociate and photoionize one or more gases, e.g., O2 and N2, leading to the production of a gas, e.g., O3 303; and adds (e) a second set of Laser Filaments 235 generated by Laser Pulses produced by Laser 222 with high enough intensities, e.g., ultrashort Laser Pulses, which the disclosed systems and methods use to photodissociate a gas produced by the first set of Laser Filaments 231, e.g., O3 303. In some embodiments, System 200 also includes: (f) one or more Solar Panels 223 producing energy for Laser 222 and Computer 101; (g) one or more Batteries 224 storing energy for Computer 101 and Laser 222; (h) one or more Spectrometers 225 measuring in one or more paths the atmospheric composition and at least one of the concentration, position, and flux of one or more gases and aerosols of interest by receiving Reflected Radiation 236; and (i) Laser Filaments 236 generated by pulses produced by Laser 222, a continuous wave beam, or a probe laser pulse (the latter two of which FIG. 2 does not depict), any of which the disclosed systems and methods use to measure in one or more paths the atmospheric composition and at least one of the concentration, position, and flux of one or more gases and aerosols of interest.

[0096] System 200 interacts with an environment including: (a) Water Body 201; (b) one or more objects, living or non-living, which absorbs and emits a gas including: (i) one or more Plants 202 which absorbs CO2215 (with a flux Fco2216) and emits CH4214 (with a flux FCH4212); (ii) one or more Trees 203 which absorbs CO2215 and emits CH 214; and (iii) one or more Rocks 204 which absorbs CO2215; (c) one or more gases of interest, e.g., water vapor (H2O (g)) 213, CH 214, CO2215, andN2O217; (d) one or more aerosols of interest defined as a solid or liquid particle suspended in a gas like air, e.g., Aerosol 218; and (e) Soil 219 which sequesters C produced by Plant 202 in some embodiments and Tree 203 in other embodiments.

[0097] In some embodiments, System 200 includes components that operate to decrease emission and concentration of one AHG, e.g., CH4 214. In other embodiments, System 200 includes components that operate to decrease emission and concentration of CH4214 in areas where plants are more likely to absorb CO2215 and soil is more likely to sequester C.Attorney Docket No. 55018-0002W01

[0098] Water Body 201 generally includes any volume of liquid water and ice. Water Body 201 can store H2O (1) and H2O (s). Water Body 201 includes: (a) a wetland; (b) a freshwater lake; (c) a saltwater lake; (d) a reservoir; (e) a river; (I) a stream; (g) an ocean; (h) a lake releasing H2O (s) inside its soil (commonly known as thermokarst); (i) an agricultural field at least partially inundated with H2O (1), e.g., a rice field; (j) an agricultural pond constructed by humans to provide H O (1) for crops and livestock; (k) any body of H2O (1) with algae (whose concentration can increase from greater phosphate pollution) which produces CH4214 when decaying; and (1) any other concentration of H2O (1) and H2O (s). A thermokarst forms when a frozen permafrost melts and releases H2O (s) stored in its soil. Water Body 201 includes a lake which stores H2O (1) and soil storing melting H2O (s) that emits one or more AHGs, including CH4214 and CO2215. Water Body 201 has a positive (upward) or negative (downward) flux of one or more AHGs, including CH4214 (e g., flux FCH4212) and CO2215 (e.g., flux Fco2216). Soil saturated with H2O (1) emits CH4 214 because methanogens, specifically archaea, produce CH4 214 as a byproduct in low oxygen conditions. While O2 constitutes approximately 21% of atmospheric gases, dissolved O2 concentration in H2O (1) is much lower and O2 concentration in soil saturated with H2O (1) is even lower. In anaerobic environments, archaea reduce CO2215 into CH4214. Intermediate H2O (1) warming can lead to the "destabilization of methane hydrates and ensuing release of methane" at marine continental margins (Weldeab et al).

[0099] While this disclosure describes certain embodiments of how the systems and methods decrease emission and concentration of one or more AHGs from and in the atmosphere above Water Body 201, this disclosure is not limited to said embodiments. Other embodiments of the systems and methods decrease AHG emission and concentration from and in the atmosphere above any surtGasScattering≈ λ-4ce. The disclosed systems and methods decrease AHG emission and concentration above any surtGasScattering≈ λ-4ce in which there is a sufficient concentration of H2O 213 to support production of ’OH following O3 303 photodissociation. Said H2O 213 concentration occurs naturally, e.g., over a region of ground-air surtGasScattering≈ λ-4ce under which surtGasScattering≈ λ-4ce water evaporates, or artificially, e.g., in a region of ground-air surtGasScattering≈ λ-4ce above which humans emit H2O 213, e.g., through spraying. Further, the disclosed systems and methods decrease AHG emission and concentration in any part of the atmosphere, even if not directly above a Water Body 201. For example, the disclosed systems and methods decrease AHG emission and concentration in clouds. Further still, the disclosed systemsAttorney Docket No. 55018-0002W01and methods increase or decrease AHG emission and concentration in any part of the atmosphere of any planet and satellite of a planet.

[0100] CO2 215 is ambient CO2 215 naturally present in the atmosphere, incremental CO2 215 produced as a result of the disclosed systems and methods, or CO2 215 from a combination of these sources.

[0101] Laser 222 produces pulses of radiation which in turn generate Laser Filaments including in some embodiments (unless otherwise specified): (a) a first Laser Filament photodissociating and photoionizing one or more gases, e.g., O2, N2, or NO2, to produce directly or lead to the production of at least one atom, molecule, or ion which is a precursor to an atom, molecule, or ion which oxidizes or reduces an AHG, e.g., a ground state O(3P) or an excited state O('D) which is a precursor to ’OH which oxidizes CH4214, including: (i) Laser Filament 232 photodissociating and photoionizing O2 and N2, where Laser Filament 232 is generated by Laser Pulses not produced by Laser 222 configured by disclosed systems and not executing steps in disclosed methods; and (ii) Laser Filament 234 photodissociating and photoionizing one or more gases, e.g., O2, N2, H2O, and CO2, where Laser Filament 234 is generated by Laser Pulses produced by Laser 222 configured by disclosed systems and executing steps in disclosed methods (where Method 2200 and other methods related to Laser Pulse Attributes in the energy domain, e.g., wavelength A, pulse energy £p, and intensity I (including peak intensity / peak), in connection with FIG. 22 through FIG. 51 include steps executed by Computer 101 and Laser 222 producing Laser Pulses to generate Laser Filaments, e.g., Laser Filament 234, photodissociating and photoionizing O2 and N2 differently in different embodiments); (b) a second Laser Filament photodissociating and photoionizing a gas produced directly or indirectly by Laser Filament 232 or Laser Filament 234 to produce at least one atom, molecule, or ion which is a precursor to an atom, molecule, or ion that can oxidize or reduce an AHG, e.g., O3 which when photodissociated produces O(1D) which is a precursor to ’OH that oxidizes CH4214, including: (i) Laser Filament 233 photodissociating O3 where Laser Filament 233 is generated by Laser Pulses produced by Laser 222 not configured by disclosed systems and not executing steps in disclosed methods, and (ii) Laser Filament 235 photodissociating O where Laser Filament 235 is generated by Laser Pulses produced by Laser 222 configured by disclosed systems and executing steps in disclosed methods; and (c) a third Laser Filament 236 which along with Reflected Radiation 236 (which is the scattering of Laser Filament 236) enables the disclosed systems and methods to detect the fluorescence of one or moreAttorney Docket No. 55018-0002W01gases. In other embodiments, Laser 222 produces pulses of radiation which in turn generate Laser Filaments photodissociating and photoionizing a gas of interest or a precursor gas of interest to achieve desired photochemical outcomes without producing separate Laser Filaments photodissociating and photoionizing another gas of interest or precursor gas of interest.

[0102] While this disclosure describes Laser 222 producing Laser Pulses which generate Laser Filaments as described in the preceding paragraph, the disclosed systems and methods are not limited to said embodiments. Other embodiments of the disclosed systems and method produce Laser Pulses to generate Laser Filaments which photodissociate and photoionize the same gases differently or different gases in a similar or different manner.

[0103] Laser filament generation occurs when a laser pulse, e.g., an ultrashort pulse, propagates through a medium, e.g., air, and the pulse's peak power exceeds a critical power threshold for the medium. Exceeding said threshold causes the pulse to undergo self-focusing due to the optical Kerr effect, further increasing the pulse's peak power and ionizing the medium to create a plasma. When the plasma cloud is sufficiently large, the refractive index of the medium at the plasma boundary decreases, which causes defocusing of the pulse and collapse of the plasma. The balancing of these two effects overcomes natural diffraction and produces Laser Filaments propagating through the medium. In air, a background reservoir of energy containing L’p helps maintain a Laser Filament and enables long-range filamentation. In practice, Laser Pulses can generate individual filaments at multiple locations on an optical path along which the pulses propagate. This disclosure refers interchangeably to a Laser Filament and a set of Laser Filaments arising from a common Laser Pulse or Laser Pulses.

[0104] Laser 222 connects to any Platform including: (a) a Platform fixed in location shown in FIG. 2 as Tower 221, which is located on land bordering Water Body 201 or in H2O (1) in Water Body 201; and (b) a Platform not fixed in location including: (i) Land Mobile 1601 as described in System 1600 illustrated in FIG. 16; (ii) Water Mobile 821 as described in System 800 illustrated in FIG. 8; and (iii) any Air Mobile, i.e., an aerial vehicle, manned (i.e., piloted in the vehicle by a human) or unmanned (i.e., piloted by a machine or remotely piloted by a human), including Drone 1603, or Satellite 226, where Mobile is a machine which moves on or in land, water, and air, respectively.

[0105] Spectrometer 225 measures along a given path the atmospheric composition and at least one of the concentration, position, and flux of one or more gases. Spectrometer 225 is positionedAttorney Docket No. 55018-0002W01on the ground, in a liquid, or in the air where an air-based Spectrometer 225 connects to any airbased device including an aircraft controlled by an onboard human, a Drone 1603, and a Satellite 226. Computer 101 and Laser 222 configured by the disclosed systems and executing steps in the disclosed methods measure data about a gas along a given path as described in System 600 illustrated in FIG. 6 and Method 700 illustrated in FIG. 7.

[0106] FIG. 3 illustrates an example Sequence 300 of atmospheric chemical reactions leading to net O3 production following the generation of either solar irradiance emitted by the Sun 301 or Laser Filament 232 and Laser Filament 233. In nature, solar irradiance provides photon energy in the troposphere to: (a) photodissociate NO2302, which produces a ground state oxygen O(3P) that reacts with O2 to produce O3303; and (b) photodissociate the produced O3303, which leads to the production of " OH. FIG. 3 illustrates how Sun 301 generates radiation 231 to photodissociate NO2 302 and radiation 231 to photodissociate O3303 or Laser 222 produces Laser Pulses to generate Laser Filaments, e g., Laser Filament 232 and Laser Filament 233, to perform the same functions as solar irradiance but at higher intensities. FIG. 3 represents the lower intensity of solar irradiance in the form of a narrower line 231 than the higher intensity of Laser Filaments represented by the thicker line 232 and line 233. Photodissociation of O3 303 in the presence of H2O 213 leads to production of ’OH, which oxidizes CH4214. After a series of reactions not depicted in FIG. 3, ‘OH oxidation of CH4214 leads to net production of Incremental O3:CH4+ 5 O2CO2 + 2 H2O + 2 O3 (Reaction 304)

[0107] A key aspect of the systems and methods described herein involves increasing the amount of ‘OH that oxidizes CH4214 through laser pulse generation of Laser Filaments. An important consideration, however, is achieving oxidization of CH4214 without producing undesirable levels of Incremental O3. The immediate precursor to Incremental O3 in the troposphere is NOXincluding nitrogen monoxide or nitric oxide (NO) and NO2 302. Anthropogenic sources, e.g., internal combustion engine exhaust and industrial fossil fuel emissions, account for most ambient sources of NOx. While producing Laser Pulses to generate Laser Filaments at or around the same wavelengths solar irradiance photodissociates NO2302 increases the amount of O3303 and then the amount of ‘OH produced and CH4214 oxidized, said CH4214 oxidation in the presence of NOx, in general, and NO, in particular, increases the amount of Incremental O3 produced as well as described in Sequence 2000 illustrated in FIG. 20A.Attorney Docket No. 55018-0002W01

[0108] FIG. 4 illustrates an example Sequence 400 of atmospheric chemical reactions leading to lower net and Incremental O3 production following the production of Laser Pulses with attributevalues different from those of solar irradiance or Laser Pulses produced by a computer and laser not configured by the disclosed systems and not executing steps in the disclosed methods to generate Laser Filaments. Instead of relying on the O(3P) produced from NO2 302 photodissociation, the disclosed systems and methods in some embodiments generate atomic oxygen, e.g., O(3P) and O(1D), via O2401 photodissociation. Because photodissociation of the O2 401 molecule requires photons of A shorter than -242.4 nm and solar irradiance in this spectral range is typically absorbed in the troposphere, O2401 photodissociation typically does not occur in the troposphere, in general, and in the atmosphere immediately above Water Body 201 at which CH4 214 emissions occurs, in particular. In some embodiments, to initiate O2 401 photodissociation, Computer 101 and Laser 222 configured by the disclosed systems and executing steps in the disclosed methods produce Laser Pulses to generate Laser Filament 234. Reliance on preferential photodissociation and photoionization of O2401 over N2402 (which this disclosure discusses in FIG. 20A through FIG. 47 and where FIG. 4 depicts O2401 as unshaded representing the more preferential molecule for photodissociation and photoionization and N2402 as shaded representing the less preferential molecule for photodissociation and photoionization) leads to 'OH oxidation of CH4214 while decreasing net production of Incremental O3:CH4+ 2 O2CO2 + 2 H2O (Reaction 403)

[0109] FIG. 5 illustrates an example Method 500 including steps executed by Computer 101 and Laser 222 producing Laser Pulses to generate Laser Filaments to decrease emission and concentration of an AHG. Method 500 includes: at Step 501 measuring along a given path or a volume of interest the atmospheric composition and at least one of the concentration, position, and flux of one or more gases, e.g., CH4214 and H2O 213; at Step 502 determining based on data collected at Step 501 and other data, e.g., Data: Local 131 and Data: Global 132, the Selected Laser Attribute-Values 161 for Laser Pulses generating at least one Laser Filament, e.g., first Laser Filament 234 and a second Laser Filament 235 which: (i) increases 'OH oxidation of CH4214; (ii) not increase net and Incremental O3 production and concentration, e.g., through preferential photodissociation and photoionization of O2401 overN2402 and decreased net production of NOXand photodissociation of NO2; and (iii) performs said functions with lower inputs of energy and non-energy resources, e g., equipment wear and tear; at Step 503 producing Laser Pulses toAttorney Docket No. 55018-0002W01generate a first Laser Filament 234 to photodissociate a first gas of interest, e.g., O2401; at Step 504 producing Laser Pulses to generate a second Laser Filament 235 to photodissociate a second gas of interest, e.g., O3303; at Step 505 detecting change in atmospheric composition; and at Step 506 determining based on change detected at Step 505 the Selected Laser Attribute-Values 161 for a Laser Pulse generating at least one additional Laser Filament. In other embodiments, Method 500 at Step 503 produces Laser Pulses with Selected Laser Attribute- Values 161 to generate a first set of Laser Filaments, e.g., Laser Filament 234, which preferentially photodissociates and photoionizes O2401 over N2402 by using Method 2200 to select a Laser Attribute- Value, e.g., A, at which a combination of O2401 cross section and quantum yield is higher than the combination of N2402 cross section and quantum yield; and at Step 504 produces Laser Pulses to generate a second set of Laser Filaments, e.g., Laser Filament 235, to photodissociate O3 303 produced primarily from photodissociation of O2 401 instead of N2 402 (where photodissociation and photoionization of N2402 generally leads to production of NO2 302 and O3 303 as described in connection with Detail 2010 illustrated in FIG. 20B). Method 500 includes at Step 502 determining Selected Laser Attribute- Values 161 through any disclosed systems and methods. In other embodiments, Method 500 includes: at Step 502 determining the Selected Laser Attribute-Values 161 for Laser Pulses generating at least one Laser Filament which photodissociates more H2O 213 to yield 'OH oxidation of CH4214 than otherwise; at Step 503 producing Laser Pulses to generate a Laser Filament to photodissociate a gas of interest, e.g., H2O 213; at Step 504 detecting change in atmospheric composition; and at Step 505 determining based on change detected at Step 504 the Selected Laser Attribute- Values 161 for a Laser Pulse generating at least one additional Laser Filament.

[0110] In some embodiments, Method 500 replaces in the immediately preceding paragraph Step 502, Step 503, and Step 504 with another Step 502 determining the Selected Laser Attribute-Values 161 for a Laser Pulse generating a Laser Filament 234 and Step 503 producing a Laser Pulse to generate a Laser Filament 234.

[0111] FIG. 6A illustrates an example System 600 configuring Computer 101 and Laser 222 to measure along a given path the atmospheric composition and at least one of the concentration, position, and flux of one or more gases and aerosols of interest with a first set of angles of arrival at spectrometers. System 600 includes: (a) Laser 222; and (b) one or more Spectrometers 225. FIG. 6B illustrates an example System 600 configuring Computer 101 and Laser 222 to measureAttorney Docket No. 55018-0002W01along a given path the atmospheric composition and at least one of the concentration, position, and flux of one or more gases and aerosols of interest with a second set of angles of arrival at spectrometers. System 600 includes: (a) Laser 222; and (b) one or more Spectrometers 225.

[0112] Laser 222 produces Laser Pulses to generate Laser Filament 236 to detect along a given path the fluorescence of one or more gases and aerosols of interest, e.g., H2O 213 at Time / 1 602, and then produce Laser Pulses to generate Laser Filament 236 to detect along another path the fluorescence of the same H2O 213 or different H2O 213 at a subsequent Time ti 612. By collecting data, e.g., measuring the angle of arrival Qi 603 of the scattering of Laser Filament 236 at Time / 1 602 at a minimum of one Spectrometer 225 and the angle of arrival Qi 613 of the scattering of Laser Filament 236 at Time ti 612 at a minimum of one Spectrometer 225, System 600 infers at least one of the concentration, position, and flux of one or more gases and aerosols of interest along a path of interest. The wavelength of the reflected Laser Filament 236 may or may not be the same wavelength of the originating Laser Filament 236 depending on scattering.

[0113] FIG. 7 illustrates an example Method 700 including steps executed by Computer 101 and Laser 222 measuring along a given path the atmospheric composition and at least one of the concentration, position, and flux of one or more gases and aerosols of interest. Method 700 includes: at Step 701 producing Laser Pulses to generate Laser Filament 236; at Step 702 detecting the fluorescence of one or more gases and aerosols of interest by measuring, inter alia, the angle of arrival, e.g., 6*i 603, of the Reflected Radiation 236 scattering at a time, e g., Time t 602, at a minimum of one Spectrometer 225; at Step 703 producing Laser Pulses to generate Laser Filament 236; at Step 704 detecting the fluorescence of one or more gases and aerosols of interest by measuring, inter alia, the angle of arrival, e.g., 0\ 613, of the Laser Filament 236 scattering at a time, e.g., Time ti 612, at a minimum of one Spectrometer 225; and at Step 705 computing along a given path the atmospheric composition and at least one of the concentration, position, and flux of one or more gases and aerosols of interest, e.g., H2O 213.

[0114] FIG. 8 illustrates an example System 800 configuring Computer 101 and Laser 222 to measure absorption of one or more AHGs by a living or non-living object, e.g., Plant 202, and measure sequestration of C by soil. In some embodiments, System 800 is configured to generate a map, e.g., Map 2406 described in System 2400 illustrated in FIG. 54, of a volume of interest, e.g., the atmosphere above Water Body 201, to enable the disclosed systems and methods toAttorney Docket No. 55018-0002W01determine over which parts of the volume of interest they increase the probability of depositing one or more AHGs, e.g., any incremental CO2215 produced by CH4214 oxidation.

[0115] System 800 includes: (a) Computer 101; (b) Tower 221 to which System 800 connects one or more devices, e.g., Computer 101 and Camera 811; (c) Camera 811 which receives, records, and processes: (i) Image 812 of one or more plants at least part of which is above Water-Air Boundary 321, e.g., Plant 202, and (ii) Image 813 of one or more plants all of which is below Water- Air Boundary 321, e.g., Plant 202; (d) Water Mobile 821, e.g., a boat, to which System 800 connects below the waterline a Sonar 822 and a Camera 811 (not depicted in FIG. 8); (e) Sonar 822 which transmits, receives, records, and processes Acoustic Wave 823 reflected from one or more plants below the Water-Air Boundary 321, which System 800 transmits to Computer 101; and (f) Drone 1603 to which System 800 connects a Camera 811 for receiving, recording, and processing: (i) said Image 812; and (ii) said Image 813. Computer 101 transmits instructions to any System 800 component, e.g., Camera 811, Water Mobile 821, and Drone 1603, to change its position and angle for the purpose of receiving, recording, and processing said Image 812 and Image 813. While FIG. 8 depicts Tower 221 to which System 800 connects one or more devices, e.g., Computer 101 and Camera 811, the disclosed systems and methods are not limited to that embodiment and can include any Platform to which System 800 connects one or more devices.

[0116] System 800 interacts with an environment including: (a) Water Body 201; (b) Water-Air Boundary 321 (while FIG. 8 depicts Water-Air Boundary 321 as a dotted straight line across Water Body 201, this disclosure defines Water-Air Boundary 321 as a two-dimensional surtGasScattering≈ λ-4ce in a plane that extends along both x and z axes); (c) Soil 219; (d) wind W 802; (e) atmospheric temperature T 803; and (f) atmospheric pressure P 804.

[0117] FIG. 9 illustrates an example Method 900 including steps executed by Computer 101 and Laser 222 measuring plant absorption of one or more AHGs and soil sequestration of C. Method 900 includes: at Step 901 receiving at Camera 811 an Image 812 of one or more plants part of which is / are above Water- Air Boundary 321, e.g., Plant 202, and Image 813 of one or more plants all of which are below Water-Air Boundary 321, e.g., Plant 202; at Step 902 receiving Acoustic Wave 823 representing acoustic waves reflected from one or more plants all of which are below Water-Air Boundary 321, e.g., Plant 202; at Step 903 classifying each plant of which Method 900 captures an image (from light) and infer an object (from sound) into different classes depending on: (i) the ability of the plant to absorb one or more AHGs; and (ii) the ability of the soil to whichAttorney Docket No. 55018-0002W01the plant is connected or anchored to sequester C; at Step 904 determining the C sequestration capability of said soil, e.g., Soil 219 to which Plant 202 connects or anchors; and at Step 905 processing said data classified and determined at Step 903 and Step 904 to contribute to the determination of Selected Laser Attribute- Values 161, e.g., targeted location of CH4214 oxidation, enabling the disclosed systems and methods to decrease emission and concentration of an AHG, e.g., CH4214, while inducing absorption of some or all any produced or ambient AHG, e.g., CO2 215 by one or more plants, and sequestration of some or all C by soil.

[0118] At Step 904, Method 900 classifies each area of soil, e.g., Soil 219, according to the capacity of the soil area to sequester C. Soil includes not only inorganic matter like sand, but also organic matter in the form of decomposed plants. The decomposed plant matter includes the CO2 215 absorbed from the atmosphere by the plant and reduced to glucose. While soil does not contain C as an independent atom, this disclosure uses the term "carbon" or C as commonly used, i.e., C that was originally from atmospheric CO2215 or CH4214.

[0119] One example classification of soil, especially soil in waterlogged wetlands, capacity to stores C is three classes, according to Cho: (a) "tGasScattering≈ λ-4st pool" of C comprising primarily plant residue and C exuded by plant roots "remains in soil only for a few days to a few years"; (b) "slow pool" of C comprising "processed plant material, microbial residue from the tGasScattering≈ λ-4st pool and carbon molecules that are protected from microbes" remains "for years to decades"; and (c) "stable pool" of C comprising "humus - decomposed organic material - and soil carbon that is well protected from microbes" remains "for centuries to millennia". By performing the immediately preceding example steps, Method 900 in some embodiments allocates and adjusts storage of C among the three classes depending on, inter alia, the estimated stock and flow of each sink of C.

[0120] In some embodiments, an Al or a ML system executes some or all the steps in Method 900.This disclosure describes examples of said systems in System 2600 and Method 2700. Said systems can execute steps including inter alia, (a) classifying a plant and soil by its respective capacity to absorb CO2 215 and sequester C; and (b) determining the set of paths and order in which to produce Laser Pulses to generate Laser Filaments along each path to increase the absorption of CO2215 and sequestration of C.

[0121] FIG. 10 illustrates an example System 1000 (which is an object of the class Laser 222 where a class describes the properties of an obj ect and an obj ect is an instance of a class) configured to modulate (where this disclosure defines modulate as vary the value of an attribute of a laserAttorney Docket No. 55018-0002W01pulse, without necessarily carrying information in said laser pulse) attributes of Laser Pulses that generate Laser Filaments. System 1000 includes: (a) Computer 101; and (b) a laser system, e.g., a chirped pulse amplification (" CPA") system, an optical parametric generation (" OPG") system, and a regenerative amplification system. While Computer 101 and System 1000 configured by the disclosed systems and methods describe modulating attribute-values of Laser Pulses produced by a CPA system, they are not limited to those embodiments and modulate attributes of Laser Pulses to generate Laser Filaments by any system capable of producing Laser Pulses to generate Laser Filaments.

[0122] The disclosed systems and methods modulate Laser Pulses to generate Laser Filaments to perform various functions described above. Laser Filaments propagating through a volume of interest with higher H2O 213 concentration produce more ’OH and oxidize more CH4214 than through a volume with lower H2O 213 concentration. Photodissociation producing more NOXalso produces more Incremental O3 than photodissociation producing less NOX. The ability to adapt Selected Laser Attribute- Values 161 of Laser Pulses enables the disclosed systems and methods to oxidize more CH4214 and produce less Incremental O3.

[0123] As shown in FIG. 10, System 1000 includes: (a) Computer 101 which receives data, e.g., Data: Local 131 and Data: Global 132, processes said data, and determines Selected Laser Attribute- Values 161 executed by one or more modulators; and (b) optical components for producing Laser Pulses including: (i) Laser 1001 (which produces a light signal internal to System 1000 which after processing becomes Laser Pulse 1015) which produces Short Pulse 1011; (ii) Pre-Amplifier 1002; (iii) Grating: Pulse Stretcher 1003 which produces Stretched Pulse 1012; (iv) one or more Mirrors 1004 directing a beam throughout System 1000; (v) Amplifier 1005 which produces Amplified Stretched Pulse 1013; (vi) Grating: Pulse Compressor 1006 which produces Amplified Short Pulse 1014; and (vii) Output 1008 which produces Laser Pulse 1015, which generates laser filaments reflecting the Selected Laser Attribute-Values 161 including Laser Filament 234 and Laser Filament 235. Modulators can include an acousto-optic modulator (" AOM") and electro-optic modulator (" EOM"). In some embodiments, System 1000 includes Computer 101 which exchanges data with other components via internal communications channels. In other embodiments, Computer 101 exchanges data with System 1000 components via external communications channels, e.g., through input-output devices of Laser 222. System 1000 includes the following modulators:Attorney Docket No. 55018-0002W01

[0124] Wavelength Modulator 1021 which modulates the wavelength of Laser Pulse 1015. Some commercially available wavelength modulators operate in discrete wavelength bands, e.g., ultraviolet (" UV"), visible, and infrared. Wavelength Modulator 1021 transmits an instruction to wavelength modulators to modulate the laser light wavelength or operate directly on the System 1000 component controlling wavelength. Commercially available tunable lasers modulate the output wavelength over a specified range, e.g., over hundreds of nanometers. Wavelength Modulator 1021 includes the functions of a tunable laser and transmits an instruction to the tunable laser to modulate the laser light wavelength. Wavelength Modulator 1021 modulates the laser light wavelength subject to maintaining sufficient frequency bandwidth in the Fourier domain to support compression to ultrashort pulse durations temporally. System 1000 produces a laser pulse at a specific wavelength through: (a) producing Laser Pulses at a specific wavelength to generate Laser Filaments which directly photodissociate and photoionize one or more gases; and (b) producing Laser Pulses at a central wavelength which interact with optical crystals to produce Laser Pulses at a harmonic of the original wavelength, e.g., via second-harmonic generation (" SHG"), or third-harmonic generation (" THG"), which in turn generates Laser Filaments photodissociating and photoionizing one or more gases. This disclosure refers interchangeably to Laser Filaments, e.g., Laser Filament 234 or Laser Filament 235, generated by Laser Pulses at its original wavelength or at a harmonic of its original wavelength.

[0125] Repetition Rate Modulator 1022 which modulates the repetition rate _ / reP, i.e., the number of Laser Pulses 1015 emitted by System 1000 per period, e.g., second, in example units of Hz. In some embodiments, Repetition Rate Modulator 1022 modulates the seed pulse frequency, in which case System 1000 phase locks the pulse generated by Amplifier 1005 to the seed pulse. In other embodiments, System 1000 positions Repetition Rate Modulator 1022 at or after Amplifier 1005 and Repetition Rate Modulator 1022 modulates the pulse generated by Amplifier 1005. Instead of modulatingTrep at a fixed rate per period, Repetition Rate Modulator 1022 varies the number of Laser Pulses 1015 period'1.

[0126] Pulse Energy Modulator 1023 which modulates the pulse energy Ep of Laser Pulse 1015.Pulse Duration or Pulse Width Modulator 1024 which modulates the pulse duration Dp of Laser Pulse 1015 where Dp is based on the pulse shape full width half maximum (" FWHM") or any other metric.Attorney Docket No. 55018-0002W01

[0127] Focal Length Modulator 1025 which modulates the focal length L of one or more lenses, including Lens. In some embodiments, Lens 1007 is a convex lens for which the focal length is positive. In other embodiments, Lens 1007 is a concave lens for which the focal length is negative. Focal Length Modulator 1025 modulates the focal length by, inter alia, (a) modulating the distance between a plurality of lenses; and (b) dynamically changing the shape of a lens from convex to concave and vice versa. Said modulation controls the position, length, diameter, and intensity of a Laser Filament. In one example, Focal Length Modulator 1025 producing a shorter focal length generates a higher plasma density than a longer focal length. However, in some embodiments, the shorter focal length decreases the propagation distance of Laser Filaments (Qi et al.).

[0128] Angle 9 Modulator 1026 which modulates the direction of Laser Pulse 1015 as measured by angle 9 1028 relative to the angle of the laser pulse before Output 1008. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 54, Laser 222 produces one or more Laser Pulses generating a first set of Laser Filament 234 and Laser Filament 235 in one direction, e.g., from Coordinates 2401 to Coordinates 2402, and then produces one or more Laser Pulses generating after duration t a second set of Laser Filament 234 and Laser Filament 235 in a different direction, e.g., from Coordinates 2401 to Coordinates 2403. Angle 9 Modulator 1026 modulates the direction of Laser Pulse 1015 through: (a) positioning and orientating one or more mirrors, e.g., Mirrors 1004, which individually and collectively change the direction, e.g., 91028, of Laser Pulse 1015; (b) positioning and orientating one or more lens, e.g., Lens 1027, which individually and collectively change the direction, e.g., 9 1028, of Laser Pulse 1015, where each lens can be: (i) convex or concave which converges or diverges, respectively, a beam; (ii) flat / plano; or (iii) any combination thereof; (c) adjusting the direction of Laser Pulse 1015 by using electronic signals to alter its phase or any other attribute; and (d) using one or more components internal or external to System 1000 which mechanically and electronically adjust the position and orientation of System 1000 such that Laser Pulse 1015 changes direction, e.g., a galvanometer.

[0129] Other modulators modulate other Laser Pulse 1015 attributes including: polarization, amplitude, phase, chirp, group velocity dispersion, and spectral distribution.

[0130] The System 1000 modulators described above modulate the light signal emitted by Laser 1001 either directly or indirectly through existing System 1000 components, e.g., Pre-Amplifier 1002, Grating: Pulse Stretcher 1003, Mirror 1004, Amplifier 1005, Grating: Pulse Compressor 1006, and Output 1008. In one example of how a System 1000 modulator directly modulates theAttorney Docket No. 55018-0002W01light signal, Pulse Energy Modulator 1023 directly controls the Ep of Laser Pulse 1015 by instructing a component in Amplifier 1005, e.g., a laser diode, to transfer energy to the signal which amplifies the signal. In some embodiments, Pulse Energy Modulator 1023 instructs a laser diode using optical pumping to increase output power. Computer 101 configured by the disclosed systems and executing steps in the disclosed methods determines for Laser Pulse 1015 the Selected Laser Attribute-Values 161 of which one attribute is Ep. Computer 101 transmits the Ep value, e.g., 10 mJ, to Pulse Energy Modulator 1023 which instructs the laser diode in Amplifier 1005 to amplify the signal to 10 mJ. Other System 1000 modulators modulate other attributes of the Laser 1001 light signal in a manner similar to that of Pulse Energy Modulator 1023.

[0131] Peak intensity / peak is one attribute of pulses Laser 222 produces to generate Laser Filaments, e.g., Laser Filament 234 and Laser Filament 235. In some embodiments, instead of or in addition to modulating a system 1000 component dedicated to modulating laser pulse / peak, Computer 101 and Laser 222 configured by the disclosed systems and executing steps in the disclosed methods modulate a plurality of System 1000 components, e.g., Repetition Rate Modulator 1022, Pulse Energy Modulator 1023, and Pulse Duration Modulator 1024, to modulate laser pulse / peak. In some embodiments, Computer 101 configured by the disclosed systems and executing steps in the disclosed methods uses Equation 10.1 through Equation 10.4 to compute / peak where the shape of the laser pulse is Gaussian:Ep= Pavgx frep-1(Equati on 10.1) where Pavgis average power in example units of Watts and frepis pulse frequency in example units of Hz.Ppeak, gaus= 2 x √(log(2) / π x EPx frep-1(Equation 10.2) where Ppeak, gaus is peak power in example units of Watts.Ipeak= Ppeakx A-1(Equation 10.3) A = (S / 2)2x π (Equation 10.4) where A is the area of a circular beam in example units of cm2; and S is the laser beam spot size diameter. So Computer 101 configured by the disclosed systems and executing steps in the disclosed methods uses Equation 10.5 to compute Ipeakas a function of EPand frep:Ipeak= 2 x √(log(2) / π x EPx frep-1x A-1(Equation 10.5)

[0132] While this disclosure describes in some embodiments Computer 101 and Laser 222 configured by the disclosed systems and executing steps in the disclosed methods modulating / peakAttorney Docket No. 55018-0002W01where the shape of the laser pulse is Gaussian, it is not limited to those embodiments and also describes Computer 101 and Laser 222 configured by the disclosed systems and executing steps in the disclosed methods modulating Ipeakwhere the shape of the laser pulse is in other forms including: (a) rectangular which the disclosed methods use Equation 10.6 to compute peak, rect; and (b) sech where the shape of ultrashort pulses is often temporal and is a function of squared hyperbolic secant which the disclosed methods use Equation 10.7 to compute / ’peak. sech2. peak, rect =Ep x (Equation 10.6) Ppeak, sech2= cosh-1x √2 x EPx frep-1(Equation 10.7)

[0133] An example of how Computer 101 and Laser 222 configured by the disclosed systems and executing steps in the disclosed methods modulate a plurality of System 1000 components to modulate laser pulse Ipeakfollows. Assume Laser 222 modulating a set of attributes frep, EP, and DPat a given λ combining to produce Laser Pulses to generate Laser Filaments with a peak intensity Ipeak= 1012W cm-2. To increase peak intensity Ipeakto 1013W cm-2, Computer 101 configured by the disclosed systems and executing steps in the disclosed methods instructs Laser 222 either to: (a) decrease frepby 10; (b) increase EPby 10; (c) decrease DPby 10; or (d) increase or decrease the values of any combination of said attributes such that the net increase equals 10.

[0134] While this disclosure describes in some embodiments Computer 101 and Laser 222 configured by the disclosed systems and executing steps in the disclosed methods modulating Ipeak, it is not limited to those embodiments and also describes Computer 101 and Laser 222 configured by the disclosed systems and executing steps in the disclosed methods modulating I. Because Laser Pulses generate Laser Filaments which excite and ionize atoms and molecules non-linearly, photodissociation and photoionization of atoms, molecules, and ions depend on not only the peak intensity of Laser Pulses, but also their intensity distribution.

[0135] FIG. 11 illustrates an example Method 1100 including steps executed by Computer 101 and Laser 222 modulating attributes of Laser Pulses that generate Laser Filaments. Method 1100 includes: at Step 1101 computing Selected Laser Attribute- Values 161; at Step 1102 transmitting instructions to any System 1000 component capable of modulating Laser Pulse 1015 to reflect Selected Laser Attribute-Values 161 including Wavelength Modulator 1021, Repetition Rate Modulator 1022, Pulse Energy Modulator 1023, Pulse Duration Modulator 1024, Focal Length Modulator 1025, and Angle 0 Modulator 1026, where instructions are transmitted by Computer 101; at Step 1103 modifying λ (via Wavelength Modulator 1021), frep(via Repetition RateAttorney Docket No. 55018-0002W01Modulator 1022), EP(via Pulse Energy Modulator 1023), DP(via Pulse Duration Modulator 1024), fL(via Focal Length Modulator 1025), and Angle θ 1028 (via Angle θ Modulator 1026); and at Step 1104 producing Laser Pulse 1015 which generates Laser Filaments, e.g., Laser Filament 234 and Laser Filament 235, with output attributes including λ, frep, EP, DP, f and Angle θ.

[0136] While Computer 101 and Laser 222 configured by the disclosed systems and executing steps in the disclosed methods modulate Laser Pulses to generate Laser Filaments to perform various functions, Computer 101 and Laser 222 are not limited to those embodiments and can control attributes of Laser Filaments to perform the same or other functions. For example, controlling the spatial and temporal properties of a Laser Filament can affect intensity and plasma density in the Laser Filament. Computer 101 and Laser 222 configured by the disclosed systems and executing steps in the disclosed methods modulate: (a) intensity of the Laser Filament by, inter alia, (i) modulating the focal length, e.g., the distance between a plurality of lens, e.g., Lens 1007; and (ii) introducing chirp to a Laser Pulse; and (b) plasma density in the Laser Filament by, inter alia, modulating Ep. While Computer 101 and Laser 222 configured by the disclosed systems and executing steps in the disclosed methods modulate Laser Pulses, Computer 101 and Laser 222 can also directly modulate Laser Filaments as disclosed in the section, " Method 2200", and subsequent sections beginning with " Method 2200:".

[0137] While this disclosure describes System 1000 as an object of Laser 222 executing steps in Method 1100, Laser 222 is not limited to those embodiments and can include other embodiments of System 1000 and other objects of Laser 222 configured differently than System 1000.Moreover, Laser 222 configured differently than System 1000 can execute steps differently than those disclosed in Method 1100 to modulate attributes of Laser Pulses to generate Laser Filaments.

[0138] FIG. 12 illustrates an example System 1200 configuring Computer 101 and Laser 222 to produce Laser Pulses to generate one or more concentric Laser Filaments that produce and then photodissociate O3. System 1200 decreases the energy required to generate Laser Filaments by estimating the expected O3 Spatial Distribution 1201 produced from reactions following generation of Laser Filament 234 so that Laser Filament 235 photodissociates the produced O3 with a probability exceeding a specified threshold. O3 Spatial Distribution 1201 means the change in x, y, and z coordinates of O3 after production by Laser Filament 234. Without knowing the magnitude and direction of O3 Spatial Distribution 1201, System 1200 would either use: (a) more energy than required to produce Laser Pulses to generate a larger Laser Filament 232 than requiredAttorney Docket No. 55018-0002W01to photodissociate the actual produced O3; or (b) less energy than required to produce Laser Pulses to generate a smaller Laser Filament 232 to photodissociate less O3 than actually produced.

[0139] System 1200 includes: (a) Computer 101; and (b) Laser 222 which produces Laser Pulses to generate a plurality of Laser Filaments, e.g., Laser Filament 234 and Laser Filament 235. Laser 222 varies the laser pulse beam diameter, which changes the diameter of the generated laser filament. Laser 222 uses a beam expander to transform an input collimated beam to a wider output collimated beam.

[0140] FIG. 13 illustrates an example Method 1300 including steps executed by Computer 101 and Laser 222 producing Laser Pulses to generate concentric Laser Filaments to produce and then photodissociate O3. Method 1300 includes: at Step 1301 predicting O3 Spatial Distribution 1201 as a function of time, position, and any other attribute of the O3 produced from reactions following generation of Laser Filament 234; at Step 1302 estimating the Selected Laser Attribute- Values 161, e.g., beam diameter, for Laser Filament 235 required to photodissociate the produced O3 with a probability exceeding a specified threshold; at Step 1303 producing Laser Pulses to generate Laser Filament 235 with Selected Laser Attribute- Values 161; at Step 1304 measuring O3 photodissociation; if at Condition 1305 [O3] is less than a specified [O3] threshold, then at Step 1306 terminating Method 1300; and if at Condition 1305 [O3] is more than the specified [O3] threshold, then proceeding to Step 1303 and repeating until Method 1300 terminates at Step 1306.

[0141] FIG. 14 illustrates an example System 1400 configuring Computer 101 and Laser 222 to produce Laser Pulses that rotate around the z-axis to generate Laser Filaments to photodissociate O3. System 1400 is the same as System 1200 except System 1400 rotates a plurality of Laser Filaments 235 around the z-axis to photodissociate O3 produced by Laser Filament 234. While FIG. 14 depicts System 1400 in some embodiments producing Laser Pulses to generate Laser Filament 235 along the z-axis and in a counter-clockwise direction, the disclosed systems and methods are not limited to those embodiments and produce Laser Pulses to generate Laser Filament 235 along any combination of x-, y-, and z-axes as long as it is parallel to Laser Filament 234 and rotates Laser Filament 235 clockwise or counter-clockwise around Laser Filament 234.

[0142] System 1400 rotates Laser Filament 235 at an angular velocity ωx232, which represents the speed with which Laser Filament 235 rotates around Laser Filament 234. System 1400 computes ωx237 based on the amount of O3 produced by Laser Filament 235 as reflected by O3Attorney Docket No. 55018-0002W01Spatial Distribution 1201 and the rate at which Laser Filament 235 rotating around Laser Filament 234 photodissociates O3.

[0143] FIG. 15 illustrates an example Method 1500 including steps executed by Computer 101 and Laser 222 producing Laser Pulses to generate rotating Laser Filaments to produce and then photodissociate O3. Method 1500 is the same as Method 1300 except at Step 1504 at which Method 1500 rotates Laser Filament 235 around Laser Filament 234 at an angular velocity ωx237.

[0144] FIG. 16 illustrates an example System 1600 configuring Computer 101 and Laser 222 to produce Laser Pulses to generate Laser Filaments propagating to a terminal device. A terminal device is any physical object which is a target of Laser Filaments generated by Laser Pulses produced by Laser 222 acting to block said Laser Filaments (" Terminal Device"), which includes: (a) another Tower 221 in a fixed position on land; (b) Land Mobile 1601 which changes geographical position on land, e.g., a truck; (c) Water Mobile 821 which changes geographical position on water, e.g., a boat; and (d) any aerial vehicle which changes geographical position in air, unmanned or manned, including Drone 1603, a manned aerial vehicle (" MAV") 1606, a balloon, and a Satellite 226, e.g., a low-earth orbiting satellite. Drone 1603 is an unmanned aerial vehicle (" UAV") with a wing that is fixed, rotary, any combination of fixed and rotary, or any class of wing not fixed or rotary. MAV 1606 is a MAV with a wing that is fixed, e.g., a fixed wing aircraft piloted by a human, rotary, e.g., a helicopter piloted by a human, any combination of fixed and rotary, or any class of wing not fixed or rotary. While FIG. 16 depicts Tower 221 to which System 1600 connects one or more devices, e.g., Computer 101 and Laser 222, the disclosed systems and methods are not limited to that embodiment and can include any Platform to which System 800 connects one or more devices.

[0145] Producing Laser Pulses to generate Laser Filaments to terminate at a Terminal Device limits production of O3 to the path between Laser 222 and Terminal Device. Another advantage of terminating Laser Filaments at a Terminal Device is to use the heat absorbed by the material connected to Terminal Device to induce changes in airflow around the Terminal Device, which affects the production of H2O 213. While Terminal Device serves as a material receiving Laser Filaments, it also serves as a Platform for connecting a Laser 222 to produce Laser Pulses to generate Laser Filaments. For example, FIG. 54 describes a Laser 222 connected to Drone 1604 producing Laser Pulses to generate Laser Filaments propagating to a Terminal Device, e.g., another Drone 1605.Attorney Docket No. 55018-0002W01

[0146] FIG. 17 illustrates an example Method 1700 including steps executed by Computer 101 and Laser 222 producing Laser Pulses to generate Laser Filaments propagating to a Terminal Device. Method 1700 includes: at Step 1701 measuring the distance between the set of coordinates from which Laser 222 produces Laser Pulses to generate Laser Filaments, e.g., Laser Filament 234 and Laser Filament 235 (" Origination Coordinates") to the set of coordinates at which Laser Filaments, e.g., Laser Filament 234 and Laser Filament 235, terminates (" Termination Coordinates"), where example Origination Coordinates in FIG. 16 are xi, y2, zi and example Termination Coordinates are X2, y2, Z2; at Step 1702 measuring the atmospheric composition and at least one of the concentration, position, and flux of gases and aerosols of interest; at Step 1703 estimating the Atmospheric Absorption / Scattering (defined in System 1800 illustrated in FIG. 18 and Method 1900 illustrated in FIG. 19) in the path between Origination Coordinates and Termination Coordinates, whose estimate System 1800 and Method 1900 compute; and at Step 1704 determining the Selected Laser Attribute- Values 161 which control production of Laser Pulses to generate Laser Filaments, e.g., Laser Filament 234 and Laser Filament 235, that terminate at Termination Coordinates or within a specified threshold distance of Termination Coordinates.

[0147] FIG. 18 illustrates an example System 1800 configuring Computer 101 and Laser 222 to modulate attributes of Laser Pulses generating Laser Filaments based on the Atmospheric Absorption / Scattering. An atmosphere attenuates radiation through a variety of tGasScattering≈ λ-4ctors including reflection, refraction, absorption, and scattering. This disclosure defines Atmospheric Absorption / Scattering as the attenuation of the capacity of Laser Filaments and Laser Pulses to photodissociate and photoionize one or more gases and aerosols of interest through the gas and aerosol only absorbing (in some embodiments), only scattering (in other embodiments), and both absorbing and scattering (in yet other embodiments) the energy of a photon in the Laser Filaments and Laser Pulses.

[0148] In some embodiments, System 1800 enables Computer 101 configured by the disclosed systems and executing steps in the disclosed methods to estimate the Termination Coordinates 1832 at which the capacity of Laser Filaments to photodissociate and photoionize one or more gases and aerosols of interest in the path between Origination Coordinates 1831 and Termination Coordinates 1832 (" Path") tGasScattering≈ λ-4lls below a specified threshold. This disclosure defines herein Thresholdphoto(fiiament) as a specified concentration of the gas and aerosol above which Laser Filaments can no longer photodissociate and photoionize. In other embodiments, System 1800Attorney Docket No. 55018-0002W01enables Computer 101 configured by the disclosed systems and executing steps in the disclosed methods to estimate the Termination Coordinates 1832 at which the capacity of Laser Pulses to photodissociate and photoionize one or more gases and aerosols of interest in the Path tGasScattering≈ λ-4lls below a specified threshold. This disclosure defines herein Thresholdphoto(puise) as a specified concentration of the gas and aerosol above which Laser Pulses can no longer photodissociate and photoionize.

[0149] Instead of or in addition to using a Terminal Device, System 1800 enables Computer 101 and Laser 222 configured by the disclosed systems and executing steps in the disclosed methods to produce Laser Pulses to generate Laser Filaments whose capacity to photodissociate and photoionize a gas of interest effectively "ends" by decreasing below a specified threshold at a specified distance from Laser 222. Predicting the distance of expected propagation of Laser Filaments along a Path enables the disclosed systems and methods to decrease the cost, e.g., energy, to produce Laser Pulses to generate Laser Filaments and any other cost (e g., energy to operate Drone 1603) required to generate said Laser Filaments. While FIG. 18 depicts in some embodiments equal Termination Coordinates 1832 for Laser Filament 234 and Laser Filament 235, the disclosed systems and methods are not limited to those embodiments and can predict different Termination Coordinates 1832 for different Laser Filaments. For example, Laser Filament 235 photodissociating O3 at a longer A decreases in capacity to photodissociate gases more quickly than Laser Filament 234 photodissociating O2 401 at a shorter A. While Laser Filaments may collapse as its energy dissipates, Laser Pulses generating said Laser Filaments can continue propagating beyond the point of laser filament collapse. In some embodiments, Termination Coordinates 1832 is the geographical position at which Laser Filaments collapses and its capacity to photodissociate and photoionize a gas of interest tGasScattering≈ λ-4lls below Thresholdphoto(fiiament). In other embodiments, Termination Coordinates 1832 is the geographical position at which the capacity of Laser Pulses generating Laser Filaments which have collapsed and still contain a sufficient number of photons to continue photodissociating and photoionizing a gas and aerosol of interest tGasScattering≈ λ-4lls below Thresholdphoto(puise).

[0150] System 1800 includes: (a) Computer 101; (b) Tower 221; (c) Laser 222; and (d) one or more Spectrometers 225. Laser 222 produces Laser Pulses to generate Laser Filaments including: Laser Filament 234 which photodissociates O2 401 and N2 402; Laser Filament 235 which photodissociates O3; and Laser Filament 236 which along with Reflected Radiation 236 detectsAttorney Docket No. 55018-0002W01fluorescence of one or more gases and aerosols of interest in any given Path. Spectrometer 225 estimates the atmospheric composition and at least one of the concentration, position, and flux of one or more gases and aerosols of interest by measuring the angle of arrival 0 of Reflected Radiation 236 which represents a scattering of Laser Filament 236 off a gas or aerosol of interest. While FIG. 18 depicts Tower 221 to which System 1800 connects one or more devices, e.g., Computer 101 and Laser 222, the disclosed systems and methods are not limited to that embodiment and can include any Platform to which System 1800 connects one or more devices.

[0151] In FIG. 18 inset, Detail 1820, Laser Filaments, e g., Laser Filament 234, include photons that are absorbed or scattered by a gas of interest, e.g., Gas 1821. Gas 1821 either absorbs one or more photons represented by the line Absorption 1823 or scatters one or more photons represented by the line Scattering 1824. Aerosols 218 (not depicted in Detail 1820) also absorb and scatter photons. While FIG. 18 does not depict Gas 1821 or Aerosol 218 reflecting or refracting photons, this disclosure includes Computer 101 and Laser 222 configured by the disclosed systems and executing steps in the disclosed methods, including Method 1900, determining the Selected Laser Attribute-Values 161 which terminate Laser Filaments depending on not only absorption or scattering, but also reflection or refraction of photons by Gas 1821 or Aerosol 218.

[0152] FIG. 19 illustrates an example Method 1900 including steps executed by Computer 101 determining and Laser 222 modulating attribute-values of Laser Pulses that generate Laser Filaments based on Atmospheric Absorption / Scattering. Method 1900 includes: at Step 1901 measuring the atmospheric composition and at least one of the concentration, position, and flux of one or more gases and aerosols of interest in an volume of interest; at Step 1902 along a given Path computing the independent probability each gas of interest, e.g., Gas 1821, and aerosol of interest, e.g., Aerosol 218, will absorb or scatter the energy of a photon in Laser Filaments, e.g., Laser Filament 234 and Laser Filament 235; at Step 1903 generating a map of the flux of Atmospheric Absorption / Scattering in the volume of interest; and at Step 1904 determining the Selected Laser Attribute-Values 161 which terminate Laser Filament 234 and Laser Filament 235 at or within a specified threshold of Termination Coordinates 1832.

[0153] The fraction of solar irradiance absorbed by gases in the atmosphere varies depending on, inter alia, wavelength and density of the gas of interest. The gases which absorb solar irradiance in the troposphere include N2402, O2401, H2O 213 (in areas with high H2O 213 concentration like the atmosphere immediately above Water Bodies 201), NO2302, O3, CO2215, and CH4214.Attorney Docket No. 55018-0002W01Each gas absorbs solar irradiance in one or more wavelength bands. For example, O3 absorbs solar irradiance at wavelengths between -280 nm to -320 nm. The fraction of solar irradiance scattered by gases in the atmosphere varies depending on, inter alia, gas particle size, density of the gas of interest, and wavelength, but scattering occurs more prominently at wavelengths shorter than the wavelengths at which gases absorb solar irradiance. By substituting and supplementing solar irradiance with Laser Filaments, Computer 101 and Laser 222 configured by the disclosed systems and executing steps in the disclosed methods photodissociate and photoionize the same gases but at higher volumes per unit time.

[0154] At Step 1902, Computer 101 generates an estimate of Termination Coordinates 1832 for a given Path by estimating and summing the fraction of energy: (a) absorbed by gases and aerosols in the given path; and (b) scattered by gases and aerosols in the given path. By estimating the distance after which said fraction of energy tGasScattering≈ λ-4lls below Thresholdphoto, Computer 101 infers the Termination Coordinates 1832.

[0155] In some embodiments, Computer 101 at Step 1902 executes Algorithm 121 to compute for Laser Filaments (the computation for Laser Pulses follows a similar process) and a gas of interest or an aerosol of interest Termination Coordinates 1832 by using the following equations, Equation 19.1 through Equation 19.15, to compute the value of Path Length 11814 illustrated in Detail 1810 and adding said Path Length 1814 to Origination Coordinates 1831. Algorithm 121 includes steps using Equation 19.1 through Equation 19.7 to compute direct attenuation of radiation (this specification uses [ ] around a gas symbol to describe concentration in equations and the drawings use [ ] around a gas symbol and aerosol symbol to describe concentration).IAtt= Ilx e-t(Att) x m(air)(Equation 19.1) / \tt—fcas Ab sorption + fcasScattering + AerosolAbsorption + AerosolScattering (Equation 19.2) tetGasAbsorption= (-1) x σGasAbsorptionx l x [gas] (Equation 19.3) tGasScattering= (-1) x σGasScatteringx l x [gas] (Equation 19.4) tAerosolAbsorption= (-1) x σAerosolAbsorptionx l x [aerosol] (Equation 19.5) tAerosolScattering= (-1) x σAerosolScatteringx l x [aerosol] (Equation 19.6) tGasScattering≈ λ-4tGasScattering≈ λ-4(Equation 19.7) where IAttis intensity of radiation including energy of Laser Filaments after attenuation; Ilis the incident intensity of radiation including energy of Laser Filaments; tAttis the coefficient of attenuation of radiation including energy of Laser Filaments; m(air) is air mass; tGasAbsorptionis theAttorney Docket No. 55018-0002W01coefficient of attenuation of radiation including energy of Laser Filaments due to absorption by the gas of interest; tGasScattering is the coefficient of attenuation of radiation including energy of Laser Filaments due to scattering by the gas of interest; tAerosolAbsorption is the coefficient of attenuation of radiation including energy of Laser Filaments due to absorption by an aerosol of interest; tAerosolScattering is the coefficient of attenuation of radiation including energy of Laser Filaments due to scattering by an aerosol of interest; σGasAbsorption is the absorption cross section of the gas of interest; σGasScattering is the scattering cross section of the gas of interest; σAerosolAbsorption is the absorption cross section of the aerosol of interest; σAerosolScattering is the scattering cross section of the aerosol of interest; l is Path Length l 1814; [gas] is concentration of the gas of interest; [aerosol] is concentration of the aerosol of interest; and Equation 19.7 replaces Equation 19.4 in the case of Rayleigh scattering gas size is small relative to the / . of radiation including Laser Filaments.

[0156] Computer 101 executes Algorithm 121 to use Equation 19.8 through Equation 19.15 to compute TAW at the radiation intensity at the level where Laser Filaments cannot photodissociate and photoionize more than Thresholdphoto(fiiament) which yields the following sequence:Ahreshold(Photo) = h Xe“CAtt) x m(mr) (Equation 19.8) 1 = (Il / Ithreshold(photo)) x e-t(Att) x m(air) (Equation 19.9)ln(l) = ln( / i / Zthreshold(photo)) + In^’^ ^rn(air))(Equation 19.10) 0 = ln(Il / Ithreshold(photo)) + (-tAtt x m(air)) (Equation 19.11) (tAtt x m(air)) = ln(Il / Ithreshold(photo)) (Equation 19.12) tAtt = (ln(Il / Ithreshold(photo))) / m(air) (Equation 19.13)

[0157] Substituting the value of Gtt in Equation 19.2 and Equation 19.3 for / AH in Equation 19.13 and solving for I (where I is the same in Equation 19.3 through Equation 19.6) yields:((-1) x σGasAbsorption x l x [gas]) + tGasScattering + tAerosolAbsorption + tAerosolScattering = (ln(Il / Ithreshold(photo))) / m(air) (Equation 19.14) = (((ln(Il / Ithreshold(photo))) / m(air)) - (tGasScattering + tAerosolAbsorption + tAerosolScattering)) / ((-1) x σGasAbsorption x [gas]) (Equation 19.15)

[0158] Algorithm 121 enters into Equation 19.15 values for each right-hand (" RH") variable which are either well-known, e.g., σabsorption for a gas like H2O 213, an attribute-value of Laser Pulse 1015 generating the laser fdament, e.g., to enable computation of tGasScattering, or measured for a volume of interest, e.g., [H2O] 213 in a given Path. Algorithm 121 computes Termination Coordinates 1832 as the sum of Origination Coordinates 1831 and Path Length 11814. In the inset to FIG. 18Attorney Docket No. 55018-0002W01labeled Detail 1810, the disclosure represents Laser Filaments as a vector with magnitude of Path Length 11814 and direction of θx1811, θz1812, and θy1813.

[0159] While Algorithm 121 uses Equation 19.1 through Equation 19.15 to compute Path Length 11814 as a function of a single gas of interest or a single aerosol of interest, Algorithm 121 is not limited to those embodiments and in other embodiments computes Path Length / 1814 as a function of one or more gases of interest and one or more aerosols of interest. If FIG. 18 includes one or more different gases of interest, e.g., a plurality of different Gases 1821, and one or more different aerosols of interest, e.g., a plurality of different Aerosols 218, where the number of gases of interest equals kgand the number of aerosols of interest equals ka, Algorithm 121 includes steps adding the contributions from kggases of interest and kaaerosols of interest by using modified Equation 19.3, Equation 19.4, Equation 19.5, and Equation 19.6 in the following example computations:tkg(GasAbsorption) = Σkg (-1) x σgasi(absorption) x l x [gasi] (Equation 19.16) tkg(GasScattering) = Σkg (-1) x σgasi(scattering) x l x [gasi] (Equation 19.17) tkg(AerosolAbsorption) = Σka (-1) x σaerosoli(absorption) x l x [aerosoli] (Equation 19.18) tkg(AerosolScattering) = Σka (-1) x σaerosoli(scattering) x l x [aerosoli] (Equation 19.19) where σgasi(absorption) is the absorption cross section of each different gas of interest, gasi; σgasi(scattering) is the scattering cross section of each different gas of interest, gasi; σaerosoli(absorption) is the absorption cross section of each different aerosol of interest, aerosoli; σaerosoli(scattering) is the scattering cross section of each different aerosol of interest, aerosoli.

[0160] While Algorithm 121 uses Equation 19.1 through Equation 19.15 to compute Path Length / 1814 as a function of one or more gases of interest and one or more aerosols of interest for the purpose of determining Selected Attribute- Values 161 which photodissociate and photoionize an AHG of interest while decreasing, down to and including a minimum of, Cost (defined herein), Algorithm 121 is not limited to those embodiments and in other embodiments can compute Path Length 1 1814 or any other output or metric disclosed herein, e.g., Objective Function 2299, for other purposes including: (a) detecting the fluorescence of one or more gases of interest to measure the concentration of said gases; (b) targeting an object with a Laser Pulse to measure distances, e.g., in a light detection and ranging (" LIDAR") system; (c) guiding the transmission of any class of energy, e.g., a Laser Pulse, a Laser Filament, or a microwave beam, through the atmosphere for any distance in any direction, e.g., from a Satellite 226 to a receiving or transmitting station at the Earth surtGasScattering≈ λ-4ce, including: (i) parallel to the Earth surtGasScattering≈ λ-4ce at a given point; (ii) perpendicular to theAttorney Docket No. 55018-0002W01Earth surtGasScattering≈ λ-4ce; and (iii) any direction other than parallel or perpendicular to the Earth surtGasScattering≈ λ-4ce; (d) carrying or transmitting any class of energy through the atmosphere for any distance in any direction including immediately preceding (c)(i) - (c)(iii), e.g., by computing Path Length / 1814 or amount of H2O 213 photodissociated by a Laser Pulse or Laser Filament carrying energy; or (e) determining the Cost required to produce a Laser Pulse with an expected Path Length / 1814 in a given environment of one or more gases of interest, e.g., in a system directing energy or a system inducing or limiting precipitation.

[0161] FIG. 20A through FIG. 51 illustrate how Computer 101 and Laser 222 configured by the disclosed systems and executing steps in the disclosed methods decrease production or concentration of a first gas of interest, e.g., CH4214 or CO2215, given production of a second gas of interest, e.g., Incremental O3 or any other metric of interest as described herein.

[0162] FIG. 20A illustrates an example Sequence 2000 of reactions that occur during photodissociation and photoionization of O2401 and N2402 and shows the points of Sequence 2000 the disclosed systems and methods change or interrupt.

[0163] In the absence of the disclosed systems and methods, ˈOH oxidation of CH4214 leads to the production of Incremental O32022 and Incremental O32032 which are different than O3303 following photodissociation and photoionization of O2401, N2402, and NO2302 each of which produces an O(3P) that combines with O2to produce O3303. As described earlier, O3 can harm humans, animals, and plants. ˈOH oxidation of CH4214 leads to the production of Incremental O32022 and Incremental O32032 because it leads to production of CH2OOH, which - in the absence of the disclosed systems and methods - reacts first with NO 2011 to produce NO22021 to yield Incremental O32022 and after a series of reactions leads to a reaction with another NO 2011 to produce NO22031 to yield Incremental O32032 (where NO22021 / 2031 means both NO22021 and NO22031). An important catalyst for Incremental O3 production is the presence of NO 2011, which results from either NO2302 photodissociation or N2402 photodissociation and photoionization producing N+leading to the production of NO 2011.

[0164] Computer 101 and Laser 222 configured by the disclosed systems and executing steps in the disclosed methods produce Laser Pulses to generate Laser Filaments which lead to the production of ˈOH that oxidizes CH4214 while decreasing production of precursor subatomic particles (e.g., electrons), atoms, molecules, and ions that lead to the production of NO 2011 and in turn Incremental O32022 and Incremental O32032. The disclosed systems and methods achieveAttorney Docket No. 55018-0002W01said atmospheric chemical outcomes through three primary pathways. Computer 101 and Laser 222 configured by the disclosed systems and executing steps in the disclosed methods: (a) modulate in the energy domain attributes of Laser Pulses to generate Laser Filaments to photodissociate and photoionize O2401 and N2402 and other atoms, molecules, and ions acting as a precursor to oxidation of CH4214 or production of Incremental O3in such a manner that increases CH4214 oxidation and decreases production of Incremental O3as described in Method 2200 and other methods related to Laser Pulse Attributes in connection with FIG. 22 through FIG.51; (b) modulate in the temporal domain attributes of Laser Pulses to generate Laser Filaments which oxidizes more CH4214 and produces less Incremental O3than would otherwise occur as described in Method 2310 in connection with FIG. 52 and FIG. 53; and (c) modulate in the spatial domain attributes of Laser Pulses to generate Laser Filaments which oxidizes more CH4214 and produces less Incremental O3than would otherwise occur as described in Method 2410 in connection with FIG. 55.

[0165] FIG. 20A illustrates example Sequence 2000 of reactions along a given Path, beginning at photodissociation and photoionization of O2401, N2402, and NO2302 and ending at the potential production of Incremental O32022 and O32032 following CH4214 oxidation in the absence of the disclosed systems and methods. FIG. 21 illustrates an example Sequence 2000 of reactions expressed in formulas of their respective reactants and products. This disclosure describes below first how example Sequence 2000 of reactions progress - without the disclosed systems and methods - and second an example point in Sequence 2000 (Effect 2133) where Computer 101 and Laser 222 configured by the disclosed systems and executing steps in the disclosed methods decrease production of Incremental O3. Sequence 2000 (including references to FIG. 20A, FIG.20B, FIG. 20C, FIG. 20D, and FIG. 21) comprises reactions including:

[0166] Without configuration by the disclosed systems and executing steps in the disclosed methods, Laser 222 produces Laser Pulses to generate Laser Filaments which photodissociates and photoionizes ambient N2402 to produce N+(which Detail 2010 illustrated in FIG. 20B shows as Laser 222 producing Laser Pulses to generate Laser Filaments). The disclosed systems configure Computer 101 and Laser 222 to execute steps in the disclosed methods to produce Laser Pulses to generate Laser Filaments, e.g., Laser Filament 234, that either: (a) does not photodissociate and photoionize N2402; or (b) photodissociates and photoionizes N2402 to produce less N++ N+2244 than otherwise as described in Set 22002 illustrated in FIG. 24. Detail 2010 does not show LaserAttorney Docket No. 55018-0002W01Filament 234 photodissociating and photoionizing ambient N2402 to produce N, N2++2243, or N + N++2245 because those products either do not lead to production of NO 2011 or lead to production of NO 2011 through Reaction 2142. Detail 2010 reactions include:N2+ hν → 2N++ 2e (Reaction 2111) where the N+react with atmospheric O2 to yield different products as shown in Reactions 2141, 2142, and 2143:N++ O2→ NO++ O• (Reaction 2141) N++ O2→ N + O2+(Reaction 2142) N++ O2→ NO + O+(Reaction 2143)

[0167] The branching ratios are typically -43% (Reaction 2141), -51% (Reaction 2142), and -6% (Reaction 2143) (Dotan et al). Reaction 2141 produces a nitrosonium ion (NO+), which reacts quickly with H2O 213 to form nitrous acid (HONO) (not depicted in FIG. 20A, FIG. 20B, or FIG.21):NO++ H2O → HONO + H+(Reaction 2143)

[0168] When Reaction 2143 produces HONO in the presence of ambient Aerosols 218, HONO photodissociates to 'OH (not depicted in FIG. 20A, FIG. 20B, or FIG. 21):HONO + hv ‘OH + NO (-300 nm < A < -405 nm) (Reaction 2144)

[0169] Reaction 2142 (not depicted in FIG. 21) produces atomic N which reacts with O2to produce NO 2011, which in turn reacts with ambient O2to produce NO2302 in Reaction 2113. Reaction 2143 directly produces NO 2011, which reacts with ambient O2 to produce NO2302:2NO + O2→ 2NO2(Reaction 2113)

[0170] Solar irradiance photodissociates NO2302 at wavelengths approximately between 320 nm to 410 nm (Shetter et al., which leads to formation of O3303 in the following reactions:NO2 + hv — NO + O(3P) (-320 nm <2 < -410 nm) (Reaction 2114) O(3P) + O2O3(2 < -320 nm) (Reacti on 2102)

[0171] In general, the solar irradiance of ~0.1 W cm-2at sea-level even on a clear day is many orders of magnitude lower than the intensity of ultrashort Laser Filaments, which achieve longdistance self-guided propagation when they reach a typical critical power threshold of 1013-1014W cm-2When solar irradiance induces Reaction 2114, it produces few O(3P) to react with O2 to produce O3 303 in Reaction 2102 compared to the O(3P) which can ultimately be generated by Laser Filament 234 photodissociation of N2402 in Reaction 2111.Attorney Docket No. 55018-0002W01

[0172] Laser 222 produces Laser Pulses to generate Laser Filament 234 which photodissociates O3303 to produce one O2 and one excited state singlet oxygen radical O(1D):O3 + Av — ► O2 + O('D) (2 < -320 nm) (Reaction 2103)

[0173] Laser Filament 235 also photodissociates O3303 to produce one O2and one ground state O(3P). However, Sequence 2000 ignores said products O2and O(3P) because ground state triplet oxygen is not involved in the reactions in which ˈOH oxidizes CH4.

[0174] The excited state O(1D) reacts in the presence of one ambient H2O 213 to produce two ’OH:O^D) + H2O *OH + ‘OH (Reaction 2104)

[0175] The amount of 'OH produced and time to produce 'OH depends partly on ambient [H2O] 213. While N2 and O2 each quench most O(1D) to O(3P), O(1D) also reacts with H2O 213. In certain regions of the troposphere, [H2O] 213 is higher than average tropospheric [H2O] 213, e.g., in the: (a) atmosphere immediately above wetlands or, more generally, Water Body 201 due to evaporation or transpiration from H2O (l) and soil (through roots, stems, and leaves of Plant 202 and Tree 203); or (b) a cloud with high saturation ratio.

[0176] At sufficient [H2O] 213, O('D) reacts quickly with H2O 213 to form " OH + 'OH with a reaction rate coefficient ofk = 2.14 x 1 O’10cm3molecule’1s’1, independent of temperature over the range of 200-350 K, according to the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (" IUPAC").

[0177] Each ‘OH reacts with one CH4214 to produce one methyl group (CH?) and one H2O 2041:’OH + CH4- H2O + CH3(Reaction 2105)

[0178] CH3 reacts with O2 to produce hydroxymethoxide (CH3O2) whose structure is represented by CH2OOH:CH3+ O2→ CH2OOH (Reaction 2106)

[0179] After Reaction 2106 produces CH2OOH, Sequence 2000 - in the absence of the disclosed systems and methods - would in the presence of NO 2011 next produce NO22021 in Reaction 2108. Reflecting the preceding description, NO2302 produced originally from Laser Filament 232 photodissociation and photoionization of N2402 in Reaction 2111 and then Reaction 2142 and Reaction 2143 is different from Incremental NO22021 produced from NO 2011 reacting with CH2OOH in Reaction 2108:CH2OOH + NO → CH3O + NO2(Reaction 2108)Attorney Docket No. 55018-0002W01where these two products participate in further reactions:

[0180] NO22021 absorbs photons from solar irradiance or Laser Filament 232 as shown in Reaction 2114 and Reaction 2102. As described earlier, the low intensity of solar irradiance, especially at sea-level, means Reaction 2114 should not produce NO 2011. However, the higher intensity of Laser Pulses generating Laser Filament 232 can produce larger amounts of NO 2011.

[0181] CH3O reacts with O2 to produce formaldehyde (H2CO) and hydroperoxyl radical (H2O): CH3O + O2→ H2CO + HO2(Reaction 2109) HO2+ NO → ˈOH + NO2(Reaction 2151) H2CO + hv → HCO + H (Reaction 2152) HCO + O2→ CO + HO2(Reaction 2153) H + O2→ HO2(Reaction 2154) HO2+ NO → ˈOH + NO2(Reaction 2110) where NO2 in Reaction 2151 and Reaction 2110 then each participates in Reaction 2114 as described above.

[0182] Without executing steps in the disclosed methods, Sequence 2000 proceeds from Reaction 2106 to Reaction 2108 which leads to the production of at least two Incremental O3: a first O32022 following Reaction 2114 and Reaction 2102, a second O32032 following Reaction 2109, Reaction 2151, Reaction 2114, and Reaction 2102, and potentially additional O3 following Reaction 2109, Reaction 2152, Reaction 2153, Reaction 2154, and Reaction 2110.

[0183] However, Computer 101 and Laser 222 configured by the disclosed systems and executing steps in the disclosed methods produce Laser Pulses that generate Laser Filaments yielding Effect 2133, which represents the effect of one or more actions which decrease the probability of Incremental O3 production.

[0184] Computer 101 and Laser 222 configured by the disclosed systems and executing steps in the disclosed methods produce Laser Filament 234 and Laser Filament 235 to produce lower amounts of NO 2011 resulting in Effect 2133 such that the CH2OOH produced in Reaction 2106 reacts - not with NO 2011 in Reaction 2108 - but with HO2 in Reaction 2107 to produce methyl hydroperoxide (CH3OOH). HO2 is available from a variety of sources, including (illustrated in Detail 2039 in FIG. 20C) a reaction of 'OH, CO, and O2 to produce CO2215 and HO2:ˈOH + CO + O2→ CO2+ HO2(Reaction 2121)Attorney Docket No. 55018-0002W01The primary atmospheric sinks of CH3OOH are photodissociation and ‘OH reaction and CH3OOH lifetime is ~2-3 days (Zhang et al.).

[0185] Nguyen et al. observed "in polluted environments (i.e., urban or industrial areas) where NOxconcentrations are high, CH3O2radicals primarily react with NO However, in clean environments (such as rural or forest areas), CH3O2 is mainly consumed by reacting with HO2 radicals." Computer 101 and Laser 222 configured by the disclosed systems and executing steps in the disclosed methods produce Laser Pulses to generate Laser Filaments which increase the amount of ‘OH without increasing the amount of NO. That is, this disclosure replicates the cleaner environment in which CH2OOH normally reacts primarily with HO2in Reaction 2107 without producing high [NO] 2011 from photodissociating and photoionizing N2402.

[0186] Effect 2133 occurs because Computer 101 and Laser 222 configured by the disclosed systems and executing steps in the disclosed methods produce Laser Pulses to generate Laser Filaments, e.g., Laser Filament 234, which inter alia, (a) preferentially photodissociates ambient O2401 to produce two O(3P):O2+ hv O(3P) + O(3P) (2 < -242.4 nm) (Reaction 2101) where each O is in ground state triplet O(3P) and whose unpaired electron leads O(3P) to react quickly with O2 to form O3303 (this disclosure discusses the production of other atomic O states in section " Method 2200"):O(3P) + O2→ O3(Reaction 2102) where Reaction 2102 can include an unreactive third molecule, e.g., N2, to absorb the energy released from the collision of O(3P) and O2; (b) controls the photodissociation and photoionization of ambient N2402 to decrease the production of N+compared to Laser Filament 232 photodissociation and photoionization of N2402; and (c) decreases concentration of remaining NO 2011 through Laser Filament 235 photodissociation of O3 303. Executing steps in the disclosed methods yields lower [NO] 2011 in Reaction 2108 and Reaction 2151 because of preferential photodissociation and photoionization of ambient O2401 over ambient N2402. The sources of NO 2011 in Reaction 2108 and Reaction 2151 are from ambient NO 2011 produced from anthropogenic activities like fossil fuel combustion.

[0187] By decreasing the probability of Reaction 2108, preferential photodissociation and photoionization of O2401 over N2402 leads to Effect 2133 which decreases not only production of Incremental O32032 due to lower amount of NO22031 in Reaction 2151, but also productionAttorney Docket No. 55018-0002W01of the other product in Reaction 2151, i.e., ‘OH. In nature, solar irradiance photodissociation of O3 303 leads to 'OH oxidation of CH4 214 which in turn leads to two feedback loops: (a) photodissociation of O3303 leads to production of two Incremental O3; and (b) each ˈOH oxidizing CH4214 leads to the production of another ˈOH in Reaction 2151 which replenishes the ˈOH consumed in Reaction 2105. Computer 101 and Laser 222 configured by the disclosed systems and executing the steps in the disclosed methods more than offset the loss of ‘OH from decreasing Reaction 2151 by increasing the amount of 'OH produced through producing Laser Pulses to generate Laser Filaments, e.g., Laser Filament 234, that can produce more O3303 and Laser Filament 235 to photodissociate more O3303 than solar irradiance can photodissociate.

[0188] While FIG.20A depicts three separate Lasers 222 producing Laser Pulses to generate Laser Filaments, e.g., Laser Filament 234 and Laser Filament 235, the disclosed systems and methods are not limited to those embodiments and can use a single Laser 222 or a plurality of Lasers 222, each of which can produce Laser Pulses to generate Laser Filaments with different attribute-values. For example: (a) a single Laser 222 produces Laser Pulses to generate Laser Filaments 234, 235, and Laser Filaments with any other attribute-values; and (b) a plurality of Lasers 222 each produces Laser Pulses to generate a single or plurality of Laser Filaments 234, 235, and Laser Filaments with any other attribute-values.

[0189] Constrained Optimization

[0190] This disclosure describes models for formulating and solving an optimization problem related to photodissociation and photoionization of AHGs and their precursors. The models include: (a) a linear function optimization problem; (b) a nonlinear function optimization problem; (c) a linear function optimization problem subject to one or more linear function constraints with the same variables as the variables in the optimization function; and (d) a nonlinear function optimization problem subject to one or more linear function or nonlinear function constraints with the same variables as the variables in the optimization function (where (a) and (b) are each an " Unconstrained Optimization" problem and (c) and (d) are each a " Constrained Optimization" problem). This disclosure describes in the following sections, " Method 2200", " Method 2310", " Method 2410", and " Method 2510", models for formulating and solving different embodiments of an Unconstrained Optimization problem and a Constrained Optimization problem, e.g., a Method 2200 Constrained Optimization problem.Method 2200Attorney Docket No. 55018-0002W01

[0191] FIG. 22 through FIG. 51 illustrate how Computer 101 and Laser 222 configured by the disclosed systems and executing steps in an example method modulating attributes of Laser Pulses in the energy domain, e.g., λ, EP, and I (including Ipeak) ("Method 2200"), produce Laser Pulses to generate tailored Laser Filaments and control Laser Filaments that increase Objective Function 2299 by: (a) preferentially photodissociating a first gas over a second gas; (b) preferentially photoionizing a first gas over a second gas; (c) photodissociating a gas subject to one or more constraints; or (d) photoionizing a gas subject to one or more constraints. While this disclosure in some embodiments describes Method 2200 including steps determining Candidate Laser Attribute-Values 151, e.g., λ and I, it is not limited to those embodiments and can describe Method 2200 including steps determining other sets of Candidate Laser Attribute-Values 151, e.g., λ, EP, and I (including Ipeak). As noted earlier in Equation 10.1 through Equation 10.4, Laser 222 modulates Ipeakof a Laser Pulse by modulating EP.

[0192] Objective Function 2299 is an objective function, i.e., a value which this disclosure aims to increase, up to and including a maximum of (or decrease, down to and including a minimum of, depending on the embodiment) (" Objective Function 2299"). Objective Function 2299 equals along a given Path or from Origination Coordinates 1831 to any other set of coordinates a value depending on the embodiments (i.e., each of the following items represents Objective Function 2299 for one set of embodiments) (the following items in this paragraph collectively, " Objective Function 2299 Embodiments"):The difference between the amount of a precursor atom, molecule, or ion to *OH which oxidizes CH4214, e.g., the number of O(3P) and O(1D) produced from O2401 photodissociation at Reaction 2101, and the amount of a precursor atom, molecule, or ion leading to Incremental O3 production, e.g., the number of N+produced from N2402 photodissociation and photoionization at Reaction 2111, where fewer N+lead to fewer NO 2011 molecules available at Reaction 2108 and Reaction 2151 leading to lower production of Incremental O3.Any increase in the amount of atomic oxygen, e.g., O(3P) and O(1D), produced subject to the Laser Pulses generating sufficient plasma density to generate Laser Filaments.Any increase in the amount of atomic oxygen, e.g., O(3P) and O(1D), produced subject to the amount of Incremental O3 precursors, e.g., N+, produced remaining below a specified threshold.Attorney Docket No. 55018-0002W01Any decrease in the amount of Incremental O3 precursors, e.g., N+, produced subject to the amount of atomic oxygen, e.g., O(3P) and O('D), exceeding a specified threshold.Any increase in the amount of atomic oxygen, e.g., O(3P) and OI1D), produced subject to the amount of inputs, e.g., energy, used by Computer 101 and Laser 222 configured by the disclosed systems to execute steps in the disclosed methods, e g., Method 2200, remaining below a specified threshold, where the inputs can include: inputs, e.g., energy, to operate a Platform, e.g., Drone 1603; inputs, e.g., energy, to produce Laser Pulses of given attributes like, Ep, and I (including / peak); inputs, e.g., coolant, to decrease temperature of and remove heat from Laser 222; inputs, e.g., size and weight / mass of components configured by the disclosed systems, e.g., Laser 222 and Drone 1603; and inputs, e.g., energy and coolant, to process data at Computer 101 connected to a Platform and in Data Cloud 2611 illustrated in FIG. 58 (all classes of inputs, collectively " Inputs" and the cost associated with each Input " Cost"). This disclosure expresses Cost in terms which can be decreased, e.g., economic or financial cost, size, and weight / mass.Any increase in the amount of atomic oxygen, e.g., O(3P) and O(1D), produced subject to both the Laser Pulses generating sufficient plasma density to generate Laser Filaments and the amount of Incremental O3 precursors, e.g., N+, produced remaining below a specified threshold.Any increase in the amount of atomic oxygen, e.g., O(3P) and O(1D), produced subject to both the Laser Pulses generating sufficient plasma density to generate Laser Filaments and the Cost remaining below a specified threshold.Any increase in the amount of ‘OH precursors, e g., O(3P) and O(1D), produced independent of the amount of Incremental O3 precursors, e.g., N+, produced.Any decrease in the amount of Incremental O3 precursors, e.g., N+, produced independent of the amount of ‘OH precursors, eg., O(3P) and O(xD), produced.The ratio of the amount of atomic oxygen, e.g., O(3P) and O(' D), produced and the Cost of Computer 101 and Laser 222 configured by the disclosed systems to execute steps in the disclosed methods, e.g., Method 2200.The difference between the amount of ‘OH produced from H2O 213 photodissociation and the amount of another gas of interest, e.g., Incremental O3, produced.The difference between the amount of ‘OH produced from H2O 213 photodissociation and the amount of another gas of interest, e.g., Incremental O3, produced subject to the Laser Pulses generating sufficient plasma density to generate Laser Filaments.Attorney Docket No. 55018-0002W01The difference between the amount of *OH produced from H2O 213 photodissociation and the amount of another gas of interest, e.g., Incremental O3, produced subject to the amount of the gas of interest remaining below a specified threshold.Any increase in the amount of *OH produced from H2O 213 photodissociation subject to the Laser Pulses generating sufficient plasma density to generate Laser Filaments.Any increase in the amount of 'OH produced from H2O 213 photodissociation subject to the amount of another gas of interest, e.g., Incremental O3 precursors like N+, produced remaining below a specified threshold.Instead of the difference between the amount of precursor atoms, molecules, and ions leading to CH4214 oxidation and Incremental O3 production, the difference between the amount of an AHG removed, e.g., CH4214 photodissociated, and the amount of another gas of interest, e g., Incremental O3, produced.Any increase in the amount of CH4 214 photodissociated subject to the Laser Pulses generating sufficient plasma density to generate Laser Filaments.Any increase in the amount of CH4 214 photodissociated subject to the amount of Incremental O3 produced remaining below a specified threshold.Any decrease in the amount of Incremental O produced subject to the amount of CH4214 photodissociated exceeding a specified threshold.Any increase in the amount of CH4214 photodissociated subject to [O3] not exceeding a standard set by a governmental or non-governmental body. The World Health Organization (" WHO") Air Quality Guidelines (" AQG") recommends [O3] not exceed 100 pg m'3per 8-hour period. The U. S. Environmental Protection Agency (" EPA") set National Ambient Air Quality Standards (" NAAQS") requiring [O3] not exceed an average of 0.070 ppm over an 8-hour period. In some embodiments, Objective Function 2299 equals along a given Path any increase in the amount of CH4214 photodissociated subject to [O3] not exceeding the WHO AQG, any other [O3] constraint, e.g., a threshold above which O3 damages humans, animals, or plants, or any other threshold specified by any other entity related to any other gas.Any increase in the amount of CH4214 photodissociated subject to the Cost of oxidizing said CH4214 remaining below a specified threshold.The ratio of the amount of CH4214 photodissociated and the Cost of oxidizing said CH4 214Attorney Docket No. 55018-0002W01The difference between the revenue earned from photodissociating CH4214 (which equals the product of the price earned for each unit of CH4214 photodissociated and the units of CH 214 oxidized) and the expense incurred from photodissociating CH4214 (which equals the product of the Cost of photodissociating each unit of CH4214, e.g., the cost of energy per unit of CH4214 photodissociated, and the units of CH 214 oxidized).The difference between the revenue earned from photodissociating CH4 214 and the expense incurred from photodissociating CH4214 subject to the Laser Pulses generating sufficient plasma density to generate Laser Filaments.The difference between the revenue earned from photodissociating CH4 214 and the expense incurred from photodissociating CH4 214 subject to [O3] remaining below a specified threshold.The difference between the revenue earned from photodissociating CH4 214 and the expense incurred from photodissociating CH4214 subject to the Cost remaining below a specified threshold.The difference between the revenue earned from photodissociating CH4 214 and the expense incurred from photodissociating CH4 214 subject to both the Laser Pulses generating sufficient plasma density to generate Laser Filaments and [O3] remaining below a specified threshold.The difference between the revenue earned from photodissociating CH4 214 and the expense incurred from photodissociating CH4 214 subject to both the Laser Pulses generating sufficient plasma density to generate Laser Filaments and the Cost to photodissociate CH4 214 remaining below a specified threshold.The difference between the revenue earned from decreasing the concentration of an AHG other than CH4 214, e g., CO2 215 or N2O 217, and the expense incurred from decreasing concentration of said AHG subject to the Laser Pulses generating sufficient plasma density to generate Laser Filaments.The difference between the revenue earned from decreasing the concentration of an AHG other than CH4 214, e.g., CO2 215 or N2O 217, and the expense incurred from decreasing concentration of said AHG subject to the concentration of a second gas, e.g., CO or Incremental O3, respectively, remaining below a specified threshold.Attorney Docket No. 55018-0002W01The difference between the revenue earned from decreasing the concentration of an AHG other than CH4 214, e.g., CO2 215 or N2O 217, and the expense incurred from decreasing concentration of said AHG subject to the Cost to photodissociate an AHG other than CH4214, e.g., CO2215 or N2O 217, respectively, remaining below a specified threshold.Any increase in the amount of an AHG other than CH4214, e.g., CO2 215 or N2O 217, photodissociated subject to the Laser Pulses generating sufficient plasma density to generate Laser Filaments.Any increase in the amount of an AHG other than CH4214, e.g., CO2215 or N2O 217, photodissociated subject to the concentration of another gas of interest which harms humans, animals, or plants remaining below a specified threshold.The ratio of the amount of an AHG other than CH4 214, e.g., CO2 215 or N2O 217, photodissociated and the Cost to photodissociate said other AHG.The ratio of the amount of an AHG other than CH4 214, e.g., CO2 215 or N2O 217, photodissociated and the Cost to photodissociate said other AHG.The difference between the revenue earned from any increase in the amount of an AHG other than CH4214, e.g., CO2215 or N2O 217, photodissociated and the expense incurred from photodissociating said other AHG.The sum of the amount of CH4214 oxidized and the amount of an AHG other than CH4 214, e.g., CO2215 or N2O 217, photodissociated.The difference in a given period between the amount of CO2215 photodissociated after a plurality of steps into a C atom or ion and the amount of CO2215 formed from a reaction of CO and NO2 or C and O2.The difference between the decrease in the production or concentration of an AHG and the increase in the production or concentration of another gas of interest which harms humans, animals, or plants.The difference between the amount of a precursor atom, molecule, or ion which decreases the production or concentration of an AHG and the amount of a precursor atom, molecule, or ion which increases the production or concentration of another gas of interest which harms humans, animals, or plants.Any decrease in the production or concentration of an AHG.Attorney Docket No. 55018-0002W01Any decrease in the production or concentration of an AHG subject to one or more constraints.

[0193] This disclosure in some embodiments describes how modulating one or more Laser Pulse Attributes, e.g.,, Ep, and I (including 7peak), to generate Laser Filaments, e.g., Laser Filament 234, can affect subatomic particles, atoms, molecules, and ions whose production is progressively closer to the oxidation of a first gas of interest, e.g., CH4214, and production of a second gas of interest, e.g., Incremental O3.

[0194] Method 2200 in some embodiments includes steps when executed by Computer 101 and Laser 222 which increase, up to and including a maximum of, Objective Function 2299 depending on the embodiments (i.e., each of the following methods, Method 2200M(a), Method 2200M(b), Method 2200M(c), Method 2200M(d), Method 2200M(e), Method 2200M(f), Method 2200M(g), Method 2200M(h), Method 2200M(i), and Method 2200M(j), represents Method 2200 for one set of embodiments) (FIG. 42 through FIG. 51 each illustrates an embodiment of each Method 2200M(a) through Method 2200(M)(j)):a. Modulating one or more Laser Pulse Attributes, e.g., 2, Ep, and I (including 7peak), to generate Laser Filaments, e.g., Laser Filament 234, to produce more of a precursor to a first gas of interest like ’OH oxidizing CH4214, e.g., atomic oxygen in ground-state O(3P) produced from O2 401 photodissociation, and less of a precursor to a second gas of interest like NO2 in Reaction 2114 enabling production of Incremental O3, e.g., N+produced from photodissociation and photoionization of N2 402, than produced with other values of Laser Pulse Attributes where Objective Function 2299: (i) in some embodiments equals along a given Path the difference between: (1 ) the amount of a precursor to a first gas of interest like 'OH, e.g., atomic oxygen O(3P) produced from O2 401 photodissociation; and (2) the amount of a precursor to a second gas of interest like NO, e.g., N+produced from N2402 photodissociation and photoionization, subject to the Laser Pulses generating sufficient plasma density to generate Laser Filaments; (ii) in other embodiments equals along a given Path the ratio of: (1) the amount of a precursor to a first gas of interest like 'OH, e.g., atomic oxygen O(3P) produced from O2401 photodissociation; and (2) the Cost to oxidize said CH4214; and (iii) in other embodiments equals along a given Path any other value of Objective Function 2299 specified in Objective Function 2299 Embodiments (" Method 2200M(a)").Attorney Docket No. 55018-0002W01b. Modulating one or more Laser Pulse Attributes, e.g., 2, EP, and J (including 7peak), to generate Laser Filaments, e.g., Laser Filament 234, to produce more of a precursor to a first gas of interest like 'OH oxidizing CH4214, e.g., atomic oxygen in excited-state O(' D) or O S) produced from O2 401 photodissociation, and less of a precursor to a second gas of interest like NO2 in Reaction 2114 enabling production of Incremental O3, e.g., N+produced from photodissociation and photoionization of N2402, than produced with other values of Laser Pulse Attributes where Objective Function 2299: (i) in some embodiments equals along a given Path the difference between: (1) the amount of a precursor to a first gas of interest like " OH, e.g., atomic oxygen O('D) or O('S) produced from O2401 photodissociation; and (2) the amount of a precursor to a second gas of interest like NO, e.g., N+produced from N2 402 photodissociation and photoionization, subject to the Laser Pulses generating sufficient plasma density to generate Laser Filaments; (ii) in other embodiments equals along a given Path the ratio of: (1) the amount of a precursor to a first gas of interest like ’OH, e.g., atomic oxygen O(1D) or O(1S) produced from O2 401 photodissociation; and (2) the Cost to oxidize said CH4214; and (iii) in other embodiments equals along a given Path any other value of Objective Function 2299 specified in Objective Function 2299 Embodiments (" Method 2200M(b)").c. Modulating one or more Laser Pulse Attributes, e.g., 2, Ep, and 1 (including / peak), to generate Laser Filaments, e.g., Laser Filament 234, to produce more of a first gas of interest like ’OH oxidizing CH4 214, e.g., ’OH produced from H2O 213 photodissociation, and less of a precursor to a second gas of interest like NO2 in Reaction 2114 enabling production of Incremental O3, e.g., N+produced from photodissociation and photoionization of N2402, than produced with other values of Laser Pulse Attributes where Objective Function 2299: (i) in some embodiments equals along a given Path the difference between: (1) the amount of a first gas of interest like ’OH oxidizing CH4214, e.g., ’OH produced from H2O 213 photodissociation; and (2) the amount of a precursor to a second gas of interest like NO2 in Reaction 2114 enabling production of Incremental O3, e.g., N+produced from N2402 photodissociation and photoionization, subject to the Laser Pulses generating sufficient plasma density to generate Laser Filaments; (ii) in other embodiments equals along a given Path the ratio of: (1) the amount of a first gas of interest like ’OH oxidizing CH4214, e.g., ’OH produced from H2O 213 photodissociation; and (2) the Cost to oxidize said CH4214; and (iii) in other embodiments equals along a given Path any other value of Objective Function 2299 specified in Objective Function 2299 Embodiments (" Method 2200M(c)").Attorney Docket No. 55018-0002W01d. Modulating one or more Laser Pulse Attributes, e.g., 2, p, and J (including / peak), to generate Laser Filaments, e.g., Laser Filament 234, depending on one or more variables in the environment, e.g., in volumes with higher [H2O] 213 than volumes with lower [H2O] 213, which leads to more CH4 oxidation than would otherwise occur where Objective Function 2299: (i) in some embodiments equals along a given Path the difference between: (1) the amount of a precursor to a first gas of interest like ’OH oxidizing CH4214, e.g., atomic oxygen O(3P) and O(1D) produced from O2401 photodissociation; and (2) the amount of a precursor to a second gas of interest like NO2 in Reaction 2114 enabling production of Incremental O3, e.g., N+produced from N2 402 photodissociation and photoionization, subject to the Laser Pulses generating sufficient plasma density to generate Laser Filaments; (ii) in other embodiments equals along a given Path the ratio of: (1) the amount of a precursor to a first gas of interest like 'OH oxidizing CH4214, e.g., atomic oxygen O(3P) and O(' D) produced from O2401 photodissociation; and (2) the Cost to oxidize said CH4214; and (iii) in other embodiments equals along a given Path any other value of Objective Function 2299 specified in Objective Function 2299 Embodiments (" Method 2200M(d)"). e. Modulating one or more Laser Pulse Attributes, e.g., 2, Ep, and / (including / peak), to generate Laser Filaments, e.g., Laser Filament 234, depending on one or more variables in the environment, e.g., in volumes with higher 7'803 than volumes with lower 7'803, which leads to different O2401 and N2402 photodissociation and photoionization than would otherwise occur where Objective Function 2299: (i) in some embodiments equals along a given Path the difference between: (1) the amount of a precursor to a first gas of interest like *OH oxidizing CH4214, e.g., atomic oxygen O(3P) and O(1D) produced from O2401 photodissociation; and (2) the amount of a precursor to a second gas of interest like NO2 in Reaction 2114 enabling production of Incremental O3, e.g., N+produced from N2402 photodissociation and photoionization, subject to the Laser Pulses generating sufficient plasma density to generate Laser Filaments; (ii) in other embodiments equals along a given Path the ratio of: (1) the amount of a precursor to a first gas of interest like ‘OH oxidizing CH4 214, e.g., atomic oxygen O(3P) and O(1D) produced from O2 401 photodissociation; and (2) the Cost to oxidize said CH4214; and (iii) in other embodiments equals along a given Path any other value of Objective Function 2299 specified in Objective Function 2299 Embodiments (" Method 2200M(e)").f. Modulating one or more Laser Pulse Attributes, e.g., A, Ep, and I (including / peak), to generate Laser Filaments, e.g., Laser Filament 234, depending on one or more variables in theAttorney Docket No. 55018-0002W01environment, e.g., in volumes with higher [CH4] 214 relative to [CO] than volumes with lower [CH4] 214 relative to [CO], where Objective Function 2299: (i) in some embodiments equals along a given Path the difference between: (1) the amount oxidized of a first gas of interest like CPU 214; and (2) the amount produced of a second gas of interest like Incremental O3, subject to the Laser Pulses generating sufficient plasma density to generate Laser Filaments; (ii) in other embodiments equals along a given Path the difference between: (1) the revenue earned from oxidizing a gas of interest like CH4214; and (2) the expense incurred from oxidizing the gas of interest CH4214, subject to both the Laser Pulses generating sufficient plasma density to generate Laser Filaments and [O3] remaining below a specified threshold; and (iii) in other embodiments equals along a given Path any other value of Objective Function 2299 specified in Objective Function 2299 Embodiments (" Method 2200M(f)").g. Modulating one or more Laser Pulse Attributes, e.g., 2, £p, and I (including 7peak), to generate Laser Filaments, e.g., Laser Filament 234, to photodissociate more of a first gas of interest like CH4214 and produce less of a second gas of interest like Incremental O3 than produced with other values of Laser Pulse Attributes where Objective Function 2299: (i) in some embodiments equals along a given Path the difference between: (1) the amount photodissociated of a first gas of interest like CH4214; and (2) the amount produced of a second gas of interest like Incremental O3, subject to the Laser Pulses generating sufficient plasma density to generate Laser Filaments; (ii) in other embodiments equals along a given Path the difference between: (1) the revenue earned from oxidizing a gas of interest like CPU 214; and (2) the expense incurred from oxidizing the gas of interest CH 214, subject to both the Laser Pulses generating sufficient plasma density to generate Laser Filaments and [O3] remaining below a specified threshold; and (iii) in other embodiments equals along a given Path any other value of Objective Function 2299 specified in Objective Function 2299 Embodiments (" Method 2200M(g)").

[0195] While Method 2200M(f) and Method 2200M(g) each includes steps directly increasing the difference between CH4214 oxidized or photodissociated and Incremental O3 produced, there are embodiments where measurement of CH4 214 oxidized or photodissociated and Incremental O3 produced may be difficult to obtain on a timely basis. In those embodiments, it may be preferable to rely on Method 2200M(a), Method 2200M(b), Method 2200M(c), Method 2200M(d), and Method 2200M(e). Modeling the effect of modulating Laser Pulse Attributes on production of precursor subatomic particles, atoms, molecules, and ions is easier in some embodiments thanAttorney Docket No. 55018-0002W01modeling the effect of modulating Laser Pulse Attributes on oxidation of CH4214 and production of Incremental O3 because of the fewer steps in some embodiments from production of Laser Pulses to production of subatomic particles, precursor atoms, molecules, and ions. The remaining paragraphs in this section, " Method 2200", and subsequent sections beginning with " Method 2200:" describe tGasScattering≈ λ-4ctors relating to production of electrons from ionization, production of O atoms including different O species, production of N-, oxidation of CH4 214, and production of other gases of interest like Incremental O3 and disclose Method 2200M(a) through Method 2200M(g).

[0196] The immediate precursor molecule to the formation of Incremental O3 2022 and Incremental O32032 is NO22021 and NO22031, respectively, each of which is formed directly in or as a result of Reaction 2108 of which a necessary reactant is NO 2011. The probability of Reaction 2108 occurring decreases if: (a) (i) there is less or no NO 2011 present to react with CH2OOH; or (ii) [NO] 2011 is lower than [HO2] (acting as a reactant In Reaction 2107) or (b) the reaction rate of Reaction 2108 is slower than the reaction rate of Reaction 2107. Method 2200M(a), Method 2200M(b), Method 2200M(c), Method 2200M(d), and Method 2200M(e) each includes steps to decrease indirectly [NO] 2011 and Incremental O3 through decreasing production and concentration of precursor subatomic particles, atoms, molecules, and ions, e.g., N+. Method 2200M(f) and Method 2200M(g) each includes steps to decrease directly the production of Incremental O3. While Method 2200M(a), Method 2200M(b), Method 2200M(c), Method 2200M(d), and Method 2200M(e) each includes steps which indirectly decreases Incremental [O3], they can still effectively decrease Incremental [O3] because without production of precursor subatomic particles, atoms, molecules, and ions, e.g., N+, there is no incremental production of NO 2011 available in Reaction 2108 or Reaction 2151 (excluding any ambient NO existing independent of this disclosure).

[0197] Method 2200 also includes steps when executed by Computer 101 and Laser 222 which increase, up to and including a maximum of, Objective Function 2299 through:h. Modulating one or more Laser Pulse Attributes, e.g., 2, £p, and I (including 7peak), to generate Laser Filaments, e.g., Laser Filament 234, to photodissociate more CO2215 and produce less of an O3 precursor, e.g., O(3P), than with other values of Laser Pulse Attributes where Objective Function 2299: (i) in some embodiments equals along a given Path the amount CO2215 photodissociated, subject to the amount of an O3 precursor, e.g., O(3P), produced not exceeding a specified threshold; (ii) in other embodiments equals along a given Path the ratio of: (1) the amountAttorney Docket No. 55018-0002W01of CO2215 photodissociated: and (2) the Cost to photodissociate and photoionize CO2215; and (iii) in other embodiments equals along a given Path any other value of Objective Function 2299 specified in Objective Function 2299 Embodiments (" Method 2200M(h)").i. Modulating one or more Laser Pulse Attributes, e.g., 2, £p, and / (including 7peak), to generate Laser Filaments, e g., Laser Filament 234, to photodissociate more CO2215 and oxidize more CH4214 than with other values of Laser Pulse Attributes where Objective Function 2299:(i) in some embodiments equals along a given Path the sum of: (1) the amount of CO2 215 photodissociated; and (2) the amount of CH4214 oxidized, subject to the Laser Pulses generating sufficient plasma density to generate Laser Filaments; (ii) in other embodiments equals along a given Path the ratio of: (1) the amount of CO2 215 photodissociated and the amount of CH oxidized; and (2) the Cost to photodissociate CO2215; and (iii) in other embodiments equals along a given Path any other value of Objective Function 2299 specified in Objective Function 2299 Embodiments (" Method 2200M(i)").j. Modulating one or more Laser Pulse Attributes, e.g., A, Ep, and I (including 7peak), to generate Laser Filaments, e.g., Laser Filament 234, to photodissociate more N2O 217 and produce less of a second gas of interest, e.g., Incremental O3, than produced with other values of Laser Pulse Attributes where Objective Function 2299: (i) in some embodiments equals along a given Path the difference between: (1) the amount of N2O 217 photodissociated; and (2) the amount of Incremental O3 produced, subject to the Laser Pulses generating sufficient plasma density to generate Laser Filament; (ii) in other embodiments equals along a given Path any increase in the amount of N2O 217 photodissociated subject to the amount produced of a second gas of interest like Incremental O3 remaining below a specified threshold; (iii) in other embodiments equals along a given Path the ratio of: (1) the amount of N2O 217 photodissociated; and (2) the Cost to photodissociate N2O 217; and (iv) in other embodiments equals along a given Path any other value of Objective Function 2299 specified in Objective Function 2299 Embodiments (" Method 2200M(j)").

[0198] The remainder of this section, " Method 2200", and subsequent sections beginning with " Method 2200:" describe: (a) formulating a Method 2200 Optimization Function; (b) formulating different embodiments of a Method 2200 Constraint; (c) different embodiments of approaches to solving a Method 2200 Constrained Optimization problem; and (d) different embodiments of solving a Method 2200 Constrained Optimization problem with respect to different species.Attorney Docket No. 55018-0002W01

[0199] Ionization energy (" IE") is the minimum energy required to remove from an atom, molecule, or positive ion its most loosely bound electron in its ground state. A laser filament, e.g., Laser Filament 234, generates different classes of photoionization for each of O2401 and N2402.The well-known Keldysh parameter y distinguishes among three classes of photoionization: multiphoton ionization (" MPI"), tunneling ionization (" TI"), and over-the-barrier ionization (" OBI"). The Keldysh parameter is defined as:(Equation 22.1)where co is the Laser Pulse circular frequency; IE is the ionization energy (" IE") required to photoionize an atom, molecule, or ion of interest; Upis the ponderomotive energy of a free electron in a field a laser generates through the atom, molecule, or ion of interest; and for typical orders of magnitude:Up~ 9.337 x I(1014W cm-2) x λ2(Equation 22.2) where Upis in example units of eV, λ = 2πc / ω0, is in example units of μm, c = ~3.0 x 108m (meters) s-1, and / is in example units of W cm'2. If the ponderomotive energy is much smaller than the IE of the atom, molecule, or ion of interest, i.e., y » 1, then the weaker laser field photoionizes the atom, molecule, or ion of interest through MPI which combines a plurality of photons each of which has energy below IE but collectively have energy at or above IE. If the ponderomotive energy is much larger than the IE of the atom, molecule, or ion of interest, i.e., y « 1, then the stronger laser field distorts the potential barrier of the atom, molecule, or ion of interest which decreases its Coulomb potential and enables an electron of the atom, molecule, or ion of interest to tunnel through the potential barrier. If the ponderomotive energy is yet even larger than the IE of the atom, molecule, or ion of interest, i.e., y «< 1, then the even stronger laser field distorts the potential barrier of the atom, molecule, or ion of interest so much an electron of the atom, molecule, or ion of interest escapes over the potential barrier.

[0200] Greater reliance on MPI preferentially photoionizes O2401 over N2402 because O2401 has a lower IE 2213 of ~1165 kJ mol-1(or ~12.07 eV particle-1) than N2which has an IE of ~1503 kJ mol-1(or ~15.58 eV particle-1). Producing Laser Pulses to generate Laser Filaments with a higher intensity I makes it more likely ponderomotive energy exceeds N2 IE 2214 which enables TI or OBI which in turn leads to more production of N++ N+Products 2244 described in Set 22002 illustrated in FIG. 24. Instead, producing Laser Pulses to generate Laser Filaments, e.g.,Attorney Docket No. 55018-0002W01Laser Filament 234, with a lower intensity / means ponderomotive energy is less likely to exceed N2 IE 2214 which enables primarily MPI of N2402. In tGasScattering≈ λ-4ct, Sharma et al. observed: " MPI of oxygen molecules is the dominant process since the O2 photoionization rate is 2-3 orders larger than that for N2 due to its lower ionization potential." FIG. 22 illustrates the different IES of O2 401 and N2402, where CP is Coulomb Potential, GS is ground state, ES is excited state, and IE is ionization energy (the diagrams are not drawn to scale, e.g., N2402 may or may not need to absorb three photons to excite an electron to its IE).

[0201] Preferentially photodissociating and photoionizing O2 401 over N2 402 involves modulating one or more Laser Pulse Attributes, e.g., 2, Ep, and / (including / peak). Modulating Laser Pulse Attributes: (a) produces different: (i) amounts and states of O atoms to react with O2 to produce O3 leading to the production of ’OH oxidizing CH4214; (ii) amounts and states of O atoms, some of which react directly with H2O 213 to produce ‘OH oxidizing CH4214; and (iii) amounts of N+leading to the production of NO enabling production of Incremental O3; and (b) incurs different Costs. Computer 101 configured by the disclosed systems and executing steps in the disclosed methods determines the Selected Laser Attribute- Values 161 of the Laser Pulses produced by Laser 222 to generate Laser Filaments, e.g., Laser Filament 234, that increase the production of O atoms, decrease the production of N+, and incurs lower Costs relative to said O and N+production and Costs in the absence of the disclosed systems and methods.

[0202] Photodissociating and photoionizing O2401 yields different states of O atoms and O2401 molecules and different ions of O and O2 401 depending on the attributes of the Laser Pulses generating Laser Filaments, e.g., Laser Filament 234. FIG. 23 illustrates an example Set 22001 of potential products of O2 photodissociation and photoionization. Photodissociating O2401 yields different states of O atoms depending on the energy of one or more photons, Photon 2221 and Photon 2222. According to Lee et al.:O2+ hν → O2(3Πu) → O(3P) + O(3P) λ < ~242.4 nm (Reaction 22.1) O2+ hν → O2(3Σu-) → O(3P) + O(1D) λ < ~175.0 nm (Reaction 22.2) O2+ hv O2(1A„) -+ O^D) + OC’D) 2 < -137.0 nm (Reaction 22.3) OO2+ hν → O2(1Σu+) → O(1D) + O(1S) λ < ~110.0 nm (Reaction 22.4)

[0203] Photodissociating O2401 at < -242.4 nm in Reaction 22.1 produces two ground state O(3P), O(3P) + O(3P) with photodissociation partial cross section σO:1, which are reactive and combine with O2 to produce O3 in Reaction 2102. However, excited states of atomic oxygen areAttorney Docket No. 55018-0002W01even more reactive than ground state O(3P). Photodissociating O2 401 at successively higher photon energy (and shorter A) produces more atomic oxygen at excited states. Photodissociating O2 401 at z < -175.0 nm produces one O(3P) and one O D), O(3P) + O(1D) with photodissociation partial cross section σO:2, in Reaction 22.2 and photodissociating O2401 at z < -137.0 nm produces two O(1D), O(1D) + O(1D) with photodissociation partial cross section σO:3, in Reaction 22.3. O('D) is the first excited state of atomic oxygen and has one 2p empty orbital, which makes it more electrophilic and reactive than O(3P). Photodissociating O2401 at 2 < -110.0 nm produces one O(1D) and one O(1S), O(1D) + O(1S) with photodissociation partial cross section σO:4, in Reaction 22.4. O(3S) is the second excited state of atomic oxygen and has two partially filled 2p orbitals, which makes it even more reactive than O(3P). The odd electron in each of the 2pyand 2pzorbitals of O(3P) have parallel spins (see the atomic orbital of O(3P) in FIG. 26) which have maximum multiplicity and make O(3P) more stable than O(1D) and O(3S), each of whose odd electrons has anti-parallel spins.

[0204] Photoionizing O2yields O2+with photodissociation partial cross section σO:5. Photodissociating and photoionizing O2 401 yields O++ O with photodissociation partial cross section σO:6. Neither O2+nor O++ O has a material effect on oxidation of CH4 214. Also, Set 22001 does not include all possible products or species of O2401 photodissociation and photoionization, e.g., O(1S) + O(1S) which O2photodissociation produces only in a narrow z band from -82.7 to -90.4 nm with a low photodissociation partial cross section (relative to the photodissociation partial cross section of other O2 401 photodissociation and photoionization products) on the order of -1.4 x E-18 to -7.8 x E-18 cm2molecule"1(Huebner et al).

[0205] Photodissociating and photoionizing N2402 yields different states of N atoms and N2402 molecules and different ions of N and N2 402 depending on the attributes of the Laser Pulses generating Laser Filaments, e g., Laser Filament 234. FIG. 24 illustrates an example Set 22002 of potential products from N2 photodissociation and photoionization, based on a model described by Sorokin et al. Photodissociating and photoionizing N2 402 yields different states of N+ions depending on the energy of one or more photons.N2+ hν → N2+(X2Σg+) λ < ~79.6 nm (Reaction 22.5) N2+ hν → N(4S) + N+(3P) λ < ~51.0 nm (Reaction 22.6)

[0206] Single photon ionization (" SP1") by Photon 2221 of N2402 at 2 < -79.6 nm yields with photoionization partial cross section σN:1,1in Reaction 22.5 the product) which is theAttorney Docket No. 55018-0002W01state of N2+2241 requiring the least energy to photoionize. Single photon dissociation (" SPD") and SPI by Photon 2221 of N2 402 at A < -51.0 nm yields with photodissociation and photoionization partial cross section σN:1,2in Reaction 22.6 the products N(4S) + N+(3P) which is the state of N + N+2242 requiring the least energy to photodissociate and photoionize. Photon 2221 would need to have different energy to yield the different products at Reaction 22.5 and Reaction 22.6 (as well as at Reaction 22.1, Reaction 22.2, Reaction 22.3, and Reaction 22.4). Each of these intermediates, N2+2241 and N + N+2242, in multiphoton dissociation (" MPD") and MPI absorbs at least a second Photon 2222 with sufficient energy to yield products: (a) ionization of N2+2241 leading to N2++2243 with photoionization partial cross section σN:2,1; (b) dissociation and ionization of N2+2241 leading to N++ N+2244 with photodissociation and photoionization partial cross section σN:2,2; (c) ionization of N + N+2242 leading to N++ N+2244 with photoionization partial cross section σN:2,3; and (d) ionization of N + N+2242 leading to N + N++2245 with photoionization partial cross section σN:2,4.

[0207] A single Photon 2221 with sufficiently high energy can dissociate through SPD and ionize through SPI N2402 and intermediates N2+2241 and N + N+2242 to yield products N2++2243, N++ N+2244, and N + N++2245. However, sufficiently high energy of a single Photon 2221 decreases the ability of Computer 101 and Laser 222 configured by the disclosed systems and executing steps in the disclosed methods to increase, up to and including a maximum of, Objective Function 2299 equaling along a given path: (a) in some embodiments the difference between the amount of a precursor atom, molecule, or ion to *OH oxidizing CH4214, e.g., the number of O(3P) and O(1D) produced from O2 401 photodissociation at Reaction 2101, and the amount of a precursor atom, molecule, or ion to NO enabling the production of Incremental O3, e.g., the number of N+produced from N2 402; and (b) in other embodiments the ratio of the amount of atomic oxygen, e.g., O(3P) and O('D), produced and the Costs to produce Laser Pulses of given attributes like A, £p, and I (including / peak). The higher the energy of Photon 2221, the greater the probability of producing N+and the higher Cost to produce a laser pulse, either or both of which would decrease, down to and including a minimum of, Objective Function 2299.

[0208] Just as a single Photon 2221 in some embodiments with sufficiently high energy can dissociate through SPD and ionize through SPI N2402 and intermediates N2+2241 and N + N+2242 to yield products N2++, N++ N+, and N + N++, so can a plurality of photons in other embodiments e.g., Photon 2221 and Photon 2222 each of which has lower energy thanAttorney Docket No. 55018-0002W01Photon 2221 in the former embodiments, dissociate through MPD and ionize through MPI N2402 to produce the same products. Sorokin et al. employed a two-step, two-photon ionization process with a first photon energy of 15.6 eV to ionize N2402 to N2+2241 and a second photon energy of 23.3 eV to yield N2++2243 and N++ N+2244.

[0209] While Set 22002 in some embodiments illustrates a two-photon N2402 photodissociation and photoionization model, the model is not limited to those embodiments and applies to any plurality of photons dissociating and ionizing an atom, molecule, or ion, e.g., N2 402. Photoionization cross section of MPI decreases for 3rdorder, 4thorder, and nthorder which sets a practical limit on production of N+after absorption of second Photon 2222. As a result, Method 2200 in some embodiments, e.g., Method 2200M(a) and Method 2200M(b), includes steps executed by Computer 101 and Laser 222 which focus more on decreasing production of N+from absorption of a first Photon 2221 and second Photon 2222 and less on decreasing production of N+from absorption of photons beyond Photon 2222. However, Method 2200 in other embodiments includes steps executed by Computer 101 and Laser 222 to produce Laser Pulses generating Laser Filaments which decrease production of N+from absorption of photons beyond Photon 2222 where the plurality of photons collectively through MPI have enough energy to dissociate and ionize N2402 to yield products N2++, N++ N+, and N + N++.

[0210] Set 22002 does not include all possible products or species of N2 402 photodissociation and photoionization. For example, FIG. 25 lists in a table, Table 22003, the different products or species of N2 402 photodissociation and photoionization depending on the threshold energy of radiation (Dutuit et all). Production of at least one N occurs at the following N2402 dissociation and ionization threshold energy: N+(3P) + N(4S) (24.29 eV), N+(3D) + N(4S) (26.19 eV), N+(3P) + N(2D) (26.68 eV), N+(3P) + N(2P) (27.87 eV), N+(1S) + N(4S) (28.35 eV), and N+(3P) + N+(3P) (44.50 eV); where N+(3P) is ground state ion, and N+('D) and N+(1S) each is a metastable excited state ion. To decrease the probability of producing Incremental O3, Computer 101 and Laser 222 configured by the disclosed systems execute steps in the disclosed methods which decrease the probability of producing N+from any product of N2 402 photodissociation and photoionization, including producing N+with the lowest dissociation and ionization threshold energy, i.e., ground state N+(3P) and ground state N(4S) at 24.29 eV.

[0211] FIG. 26 and FIG. 27 illustrate Diagram 22004 and Diagram 22005 representing the atomic orbital and molecular orbital of O2 401 and N2 402, respectively. In O2 401, the antibondingAttorney Docket No. 55018-0002W01symmetry of the highest occupied molecular orbital (" HOMO") leads to destructive interference between electron waves ionized from the two nuclear sites, which decreases O2 401 ionization probability. FIG. 26 illustrates the HOMO of O2is occupied by an electron in each of an antibonding orbital, π*2pxand π*2py. In N2 402, the bonding symmetry of the HOMO leads to constructive interference between electron waves ionized from the two nuclear sites, which increases N2402 ionization probability. FIG. 27 illustrates the HOMO of N2is occupied by an electron pair in bonding orbital, σ2pz. Unlike the HOMO in O2 401, the HOMO of N2is σ2pz instead of the π bonding orbitals due to sp mixing. As a result, N2402 photoionization may yield more electrons and ion products relative to O2401 photoionization than the ratio of IE 2214 of N2402 (-15.58 eV particle'1) to IE 2213 of O2401 (-12.07 eV particle'1) would suggest.

[0212] However, direct experimental measurement of O2 401 photoionization rates show at low laser intensities on the order of < -2.7 x 1013W cm'2or where y » 1, i.e., an MPI environment, O2401 "photoionization rate is 2-3 orders [of magnitude] larger than that for N2 due to its lower ionization potential" (Sharma et al.).

[0213] Method 2200 includes steps when executed by Computer 101 and Laser 222 which determine the Selected Laser Attribute- Values 161 of Laser Pulses generating Laser Filaments increasing, up to and including a maximum of, Objective Function 2299 which equals: (a) in some embodiments the difference between the amount of O2401 photodissociated and the amount of N2 402 photodissociated; (b) in other embodiments the difference between the rate of O2 401 photodissociation and the rate ofN2402 photodissociation; (c) in other embodiments the difference between the amount of O2401 photodissociated and the amount of N2402 photoionized; or (d) in other embodiments the difference between the rate of O2401 photodissociation and the rate of N2 402 photoionized. Method 2200 distinguishes between on the one hand (a) and (b) and on the other hand (c) and (d) because as illustrated in FIG. 24 Laser Filament photoionizes N2into N2+with partial cross section σN:1,1or N + N+with partial cross section σN:1,2. Because the threshold energy of N2+2241 (-15.58 eV) is lower than the threshold energy of N + N+2242 (-24.29 eV) and in some embodiments Method 2200 includes steps when executed by Computer 101 and Laser 222 determining the Selected Laser Attribute-Values 161, one of which is peak intensity whose value can be lower to decrease the production of precursor molecules leading to production of O3, Method 2200 includes steps when executed by Computer 101 and Laser 222 determining the Selected Laser Attribute-Values 161 which increase, up to and including aAttorney Docket No. 55018-0002W01maximum of, the difference between the amount of O2401 photodissociated and the amount of N2 402 photoionized into N2+2241, which in turn can photodissociate into N++ N+2244. In nature, photoionization typically occurs less frequently than photodissociation in the troposphere because the solar irradiance after attenuation at lower altitudes lacks the intensity to excite most atmospheric gases above their IE. However, Laser 222 can produce Laser Pulses to generate Laser Filaments, e.g., Laser Filament 234, with sufficient intensity both to photodissociate and to photoionize gases in the troposphere.

[0214] Method 2200 includes steps when executed by Computer 101 and Laser 222 determining the Selected Laser Attribute- Values 161 of Laser Pulses generating Laser Filaments which increase, up to and including a maximum of, Objective Function 2299 (including any Objective Function 2299 specified in Objective Function 2299 Embodiments) subject to one or more conditions including: (a), Ep, and I (including / peak) of Laser Pulses generating sufficient plasma density to generate Laser Filaments; (b) [NO2] not exceeding a threshold associated with [O3] not exceeding a specified threshold, e.g., the WHO AQG; and (c) a lower (down to and including a minimum) Cost to oxidize an AHG, e.g., CH4214.

[0215] In some embodiments, Method 2200 includes steps computing for a specified time period the amount of O2401 photodissociated and the amount of N2402 photodissociated by computing the product of: (a) the rate of O2401 photodissociation and the rate of N2402 photodissociation, e.g., the number of O atoms, molecules, and ions in different states and N atoms, molecules, and ions in different states, respectively, in example units of s’1; and (b) a specified time period in example units of s.

[0216] In other embodiments, Method 2200 includes steps computing for a specified time period the amount of O2401 photodissociated and the amount of N2402 photoionized by computing the product of: (a) the rate of O2401 photodissociation and the rate of N2402 photoionization, e.g., the number of O atoms, molecules, and ions in different states and N atoms, molecules, and ions in different states, respectively, in example units of s’1; and (b) a specified time period in example units of s.

[0217] In some embodiments, instead of computing the difference between the rate of O2 401 photodissociation and the rate of N2 402 photoionization, Method 2200 computes over a given time period the difference between the density distribution of O2401 photodissociation productsAttorney Docket No. 55018-0002W01and the density distribution of plasma generated after Laser Pulse intensity reaches clamped intensity / damped (discussed in Section " Method 2200: Method 2200 Constraint: Plasma Density").

[0218] While Method 2200 includes steps executed by Computer 101 and Laser 222 using Equation 22.3 through Equation 22.8 to compute the difference between the rate of O2 401 photodissociation and the rate of N2 402 photodissociation or Equation 22.3 through Equation 22.30 to compute the difference between the rate of O2401 photodissociation and the rate of N2 402 photoionization, they are not limited to those embodiments and can compute the difference between the rate of photodissociation and photoionization of one or more of any gases of interest.Method 2200: Method 2200 Optimization Function

[0219] This disclosure distinguishes: (a) an Objective Function, e.g., Objective Function 2299, from (b) an optimization function, which is a maximum or minimum, depending on the embodiment, of an Objective Function (" Optimization Function"), e.g., any Method 2200 Optimization Function described herein. An Optimization Function is a function of one or more variables like Laser Pulse Attributes, e.g., 2, Ep, and I (including / peak), which along with one or more constraints constitute a Constrained Optimization problem Computer 101 configured by the disclosed systems and executing steps in the disclosed methods solves to find a maximum or minimum, depending on the embodiment, of an Objective Function. While this disclosure describes Optimization Functions throughout, it is not limited to embodiments of finding a maximum or minimum of an Objective Function and can find Selected Laser Attribute- Values 161 which increase (or decrease) an Objective Function without necessarily finding its maximum or minimum. In a first example, in cases where the computation to solve an Optimization Function takes more time or uses more resources than a specified threshold, this disclosure can choose Selected Laser Attribute-Values 161 yielding less than a maximum or minimum of an Objective Function. In a second example, in cases where Candidate Laser Attribute- Values 151 yields a maximum of an Objective Function but at a higher Cost, this disclosure can choose Selected Laser Attribute-Values 161 yielding a higher ratio of Objective Function to Cost. This section describes the generation of example Optimization Functions.

[0220] In some embodiments, to compute the difference between the rate of O2 401 photodissociation and the rate of N2402 photodissociation caused by Laser Pulses with specified attributes, e.g., 2, Ep, and / (including / peak), generating Laser Filaments, Algorithm 121 includes steps using the Equation 22.3 and Equation 22.4:Attorney Docket No. 55018-0002W01d[O2]D / dt = - J[O2]D= - ∭λ1λ2(F(λ, θ) x σO2(λ, T, P) x ΦO2(λ, T) x dλ x dT x dP) (Equation 22.3)d[N2]D / dt = - J[N2]D= - ∭λ1λ2(F(λ, θ) x σN2(λ, T, P) x ΦN2(λ, T) x dλ x dT x dP) (Equation 22.4) where this disclosure throughout represents a multiple integral of a function in n variables with the number of integral signs executed in reverse order without necessarily specifying the range for each variable, e.g., Equation 22.3 represents a multiple integral of the function and integrand arguments, 2, T 803, and P 804, executed from zl to 22, 71 to 72, and Pl to P2, even if Equation 22.3 does not specify the latter two integrand argument ranges; andwhere J[O2]Dand J[N2]Deach is the rate at which O2and N2photodissociation produces O atoms, molecules, and ions in different states and N atoms, molecules, and ions in different states, respectively, in example units of O2401 products s’1and N2402 products s’1, respectively; J[O2]D is a first integral from a first wavelength 21 to a second wavelength 22, then a second integral from a first T 803 to a second T 803, and then a third integral from a first P 804 to a second P 804, of the product F(2, 0), O2photodissociation σO2(λ, T, P), and O2photodissociation ΦO2(λ, T);J[N2]Dis a first integral from a first wavelength λ1 to second wavelength λ2, then a second integral from a first T to a second T , and then a third integral from a first P to a second P , of the product F(λ, θ), N2photodissociation σN2(λ, T, P), and N2photodissociation ΦN2(λ, T); F(2, 0) in nature is solar irradiance as a function of wavelength 2 and solar zenith angle 0 in example units of W m’2but Method 2200 hereafter substitutes F(2, 0) with 7(2), the intensity of Laser Pulses to generate Laser Filaments, e.g., Laser Filament 234, not dependent on 0 (since Laser 222 modulates peak intensity to any value within its capabilities and intensity of Laser Pulses to generate Laser Filaments is orders of magnitude greater than solar irradiance, Method 2200 can effectively ignore 0 when determining F) in example units of photons cm’2s’1; σO2(λ, T, P) in Equation 22.3 is the O2photodissociation absorption cross section as a function of λ, T , and P in example units of cm2molecule’1; σN2(λ, T, P) in Equation 22.4 is the N2photodissociation absorption cross section as a function of λ, T , and P in example units of cm2molecule’1; ΦO2(λ, T) in Equation 22.3 is the O2photodissociation quantum yield as a function of λ and T in example units of fraction between 0 and 1, i.e., the relative number of O atoms, molecules, and ions produced per absorbed photon; and ΦN2(λ, T) in Equation 22.4 is the N2photodissociation quantum yield as a function of λ and T in example units of fraction between 0 and 1, i.e., the relative number of N atoms, molecules, and ions produced per absorbed photon. The values of σO2(λ, T, P), ΦO2(λ, T), σN2(λ, T, P), and ΦN2(λ,Attorney Docket No. 55018-0002W01P) depend on T 803 and P 804. Method 2200 includes a step measuring T and P and adjusting values σO2(λ, T, P), ΦO2(λ, T), σN2(λ, T, P), and ΦN2(λ, T) to reflect different T and P . System configures Computer to process Algorithm and Method includes a step adjusting values σO2(λ, T, P), ΦO2(λ, T), σN2(λ, T, P), and ΦN2(λ, T) to reflect different T and P .

[0221] Because the difference of two integrals equals the integral of the difference of the two functions, the difference between Equation 22.3 and Equation 22.4 follows:∭λ1λ2(F(λ) x σO2(λ, T, P) x ΦO2(λ, T) x dλ x dT x dP) - (- ∭λ1λ2(F(λ) x σN2(λ, T, P) x ΦN2(λ, T) x dλ x dT x dP)) =JJ'J^ / ’((F(2) x <702(2, P, P) x 002(2, P) x <72 x dPx dP) - (F(2) x < TN2(2, Z P) x 0N2(2, P) X <72 x dPx dP)) (Equation 22.5)

[0222] In some embodiments, the same radiation concurrently photodissociates both O2401 and N2402, which yields:d[O2]D / dt - d[N2]D / dt = -∭λ1λ2(F(λ) x ((σO2(λ, T, P) x ΦO2(λ, T) x dλ x dT x dP) - (σN2(λ, T, P) x ΦN2(λ, T) x dλ x dT x dP))) (Equation 22.6)

[0223] While P 803 typically does not vary during the time Laser 222 produces Laser Pulses along a given Path, P 803 may vary along a given Path of Laser Filaments, e.g., if the Path crosses different altitudes or at the same altitude over different surtGasScattering≈ λ-4ces like Water Body 201 and a surtGasScattering≈ λ-4ce not Water Body 201. Method 2200 includes steps which compute σO2(λ, T, P), ΦO2(λ, T), σN2(λ, T, P), and ΦN2(λ, T) as a function of measured T . Similarly, while P 804 typically does not vary during the time Laser 222 produces Laser Pulses along a given Path, P 804 may vary along a given Path of Laser Filaments. Method 2200 includes steps which compute σO2(λ, T, P) and σN2(λ, T, P) as a function of measured P .

[0224] In some embodiments, not only does the same radiation concurrently photodissociate both O2401 and N2402, the same radiation is a Laser Pulse at a specific X, not radiation transmitted over a wide range of wavelengths like solar irradiance transmitting over wavelengths including ultraviolet, visible, and infrared (approximately from 100 nm to 1,000,000 nm). Producing a Laser Pulse along a given Path at a specific λ or a range of wavelengths within which σO2(λ), ΦO2(λ), σN2(λ), and ΦN2(λ) each is constant obviates the need to compute the integral and the term <72 over a range of wavelengths in each of Equation 22.5 and Equation 22.6. Moreover, in someAttorney Docket No. 55018-0002W01embodiments, producing a Laser Pulse along a given Path over which T 803 and P 804 do not vary or vary over a range in which ooi(T, P d>o (T), (Jm(T, P and 0N2(Z) each is constant obviates the need to compute the integral and the term dT and dP over a range of T 803 and P 804 in each of Equation 22.5 and Equation 22.6. In those embodiments of a specific 2, T 803, and P 804 (or 2, T 803, and P 804 each varying within a specified range not affecting the terms002( ), O\2(2), and 0N2(2)), this disclosure rewrites Equation 22.6 which Algorithm 121 uses to compute the difference between Equation 22.3 and Equation 22.4 as a function of 2 and I6 / [C>2]D / / - t / [N2]i) / 6 / / = - ( / (2) x ((<702(2) x 02(2)) - (ON2(2) x 0N2(2))) (Equation 22.7)

[0225] In other embodiments, Laser 222 produces a Laser Pulse along a given Path over which T 803 and P 804 vary over a range within which 702(0, P O2(T), (Jm(T, P), and 0N2(0) each is not constant. In those embodiments of a specific 2 and varying T 803 and P 804, Algorithm 121 includes steps using Equation 22.8 to compute the difference between Equation 22.3 and Equation 22.4:< / [O2]D / <0 - 6 / [N2]i) / r / / = - Z(2) x JJ ((<702(0, P) x 002(7) x d! x dP) - ( 7N2(L, P) x 0N2( x d dPy) (Equation 22.8)

[0226] In some embodiments, Method 2200 includes steps executed by Computer 101 specifying how Algorithm 121 formulates and solves a Constrained Optimization problem of the 2, Ep, and I (including / peak) of Laser Pulses to generate Laser Filaments which increase, up to and including a maximum of, Objective Function 2299, e.g., the difference between Equation 22.3 and Equation 22.4 (" Method 2200 Optimization Function: O2 Photodissociation / N2 Photodissociation"), subject to one or more constraints, including 2, Ep, and I (including / peak) of Laser Pulses: (a) yielding at least the necessary plasma density enabling Laser Filaments (" Method 2200 Constraint: Plasma Density"); (b) producing no more than a threshold volume of: (i) a gas of interest like Incremental O3; or (ii) a precursor to said gas of interest like NO2 in Reaction 2114, which in turn depends on the amount of N+produced from N2 402 photodissociation and photoionization (" Method 2200 Constraint: Gas"); and (c) incurring a lower Cost to oxidize a gas of interest like CH4214 or photodissociate a gas of interest other than CH4214, e.g., CO2215 or N2O 217, than consumed with other sets of 2, Ep, and I (including / peak) (" Method 2200 Constraint: Cost") (collectively, the " Method 2200 O2 Photodissociation / N2 Photodissociation Constrained Optimization"). In some embodiments, Method 2200 Optimization Function: O2 Photodissociation / N2 Photodissociation is an Optimization Function of the 2, Ep, and / (includingAttorney Docket No. 55018-0002W01 / peak) of Laser Pulses to generate Laser Filaments which increase, up to and including a maximum of, the difference between t / [O2]i) / r / / and c / [N2]i) / r / / in each of Equation 22.7 and Equation 22.8. While Method 2200 O2 Photodissociation / N2 Photodissociation Constrained Optimization problem includes one or more constraints, Method 2200 Constraint: Plasma Density, Method 2200 Constraint: Gas, and Method 2200 Constraint: Cost, it is not limited to those embodiments and can include any number and class of constraints. For example, Method 2200 O2 Photodissociation / N2 Photodissociation Constrained Optimization problem can include another constraint of producing no more than a threshold volume of a gas of interest or a precursor to a gas of interest other than Incremental O3 or another constraint of producing Laser Pulses at wavelengths no longer than a specified threshold.

[0227] To formulate and solve a Constrained Optimization problem of the A, Ep, and I (including / peak) of Laser Pulses to generate Laser Filaments which increase, up to and including a maximum of, Objective Function 2299, e.g., the difference between the rate of O2401 photodissociation and the rate of N2402 photoionization (" Method 2200 Optimization Function: O2 Photodissociation / N2 Photoionization"), Algorithm 121 computes the rate of N2 402 photoionization differently depending on the embodiments. In some embodiments, Algorithm 121 describes the N2 402 photoionization rate as a function of Laser Pulse / (including / peak) and photoionization cross section in the case of SPI. In other embodiments, e.g., where y » 1 and MPI is more likely, Algorithm 121 describes the N2402 photoionization rate as a function of Laser Pulse / (including / peak) and photoionization cross section in the case of MPI. In other embodiments, e.g., where y « 1 and TI is more likely, Algorithm 121 describes the N2402 photoionization rate as a function of Laser Pulse I (including / peak) and photoionization cross section in the case of TI.

[0228] In some embodiments, Method 2200 includes steps executed by Computer 101 specifying how Algorithm 121 formulates and solves a Constrained Optimization problem of the A, Ep, and / (including / peak) of Laser Pulses to generate Laser Filaments which increase, up to and including a maximum of, Objective Function 2299, e.g., the difference between Equation 22.3 and Equation 22.9 (" Method 2200 Optimization Function: O2 Photodissociation / N2 SPI Photoionization"), the difference between Equation 22.3 and Equation 22.13 (" Method 2200 Optimization Function: O2 Photodissociation / N2 MPI Photoionization"), or the difference between Equation 22.3 and Equation 22.28 or Equation 22.29 (" Method 2200 Optimization Function: O2 Photodissociation / N2 TI Photoionization"), each Optimization Function of which is subject to one or moreAttorney Docket No. 55018-0002W01constraints, including 2, Ep, and J (including / peak) of Laser Pulses: (a) satisfying Method 2200 Constraint: Plasma Density; (b) satisfying Method 2200 Constraint: Gas; and (c) satisfying Method 2200 Constraint: Cost (collectively, the " Method 2200 O2 Photodissociation / N2 Photoionization Constrained Optimization"). While Method 2200 O2 Photodissociation / N2 Photoionization Constrained Optimization problem includes one or more constraints, Method 2200 Constraint: Plasma Density, Method 2200 Constraint: Gas, and Method 2200 Constraint: Cost, it is not limited to those embodiments and can include any number and class of constraints. For example, Method 2200 O2 Photodissociation / N2 Photoionization Constrained Optimization problem can include another constraint of producing no more than a threshold volume of a gas of interest or a precursor to a gas of interest other than Incremental O3.

[0229] In some embodiments, to compute the difference between the rate of O2 401 photodissociation and the rate of N2402 photoionization caused by Laser Pulses with specified attributes, e.g., A, Ep, and I (including / peak), generating Laser Filaments, Algorithm 121 in Method 2200 Optimization Function: O2 Photodissociation / N2 SPI Photoionization includes the same steps included in Method 2200 Optimization Function: O2 Photodissociation / N2Photodissociation to compute the rate of O2401 photodissociation:<7[O2]i)E / / = - J[O2]D = - (F(2, 0) x <7o2(2, T, P) x 0<>2(z, T) x d / . x dT x dP) (Equation 22.3)

[0230] In some embodiments where N2402 photoionization is in the form of SPI, Algorithm 121 in Method 2200 Optimization Function: O2 Photodissociation / N2 SPI Photoionization includes steps using the Equation 22.9 to compute the N2402 photoionization rate (modeled after Croteau et al.):4N2]IM = - J[N2]I = - $IE1(KIE) x < T\2(7E) x dIE) (Equation 22.9) where J[N2]I is the rate of N2402 photoionization; IE is the ionization energy ofN2402 in example units of eV; J[N2]I is the integral from the IE of a first N2402 species, e.g., (A2£^ ), to the IE of a second N2402 species, e.g.,(B ), of the product of I(IE) and cjm(IE) in example units of s’ / ( / E) is the / (including / peak) of Laser Pulses as a function of N2402 IE in example units of photons cm’2s’1nm’1; and (Jx (IE) is the photoionization cross section as a function of N2402 IE in example units of cm2nm1.

[0231] The difference between Equation 22.3 and Equation 22.9 is:4O2]D / ^ - 4N2W = (- (Ft, 0) X <702(2, T, P) X 002(2, T) x di x d / x dP)) -Attorney Docket No. 55018-0002W01(- fJEJ(I(IE) x crN2(ffi) x dIEf) (Equation 22.10)

[0232] Unlike the difference between Equation 22.3 and Equation 22.4 in Method 2200 Optimization Function: O2 Photodissociation / N2 Photodissociation, the difference between Equation 22.3 and Equation 22.9 is the difference of integrals of functions of different variables, 2, T 803, and P 804 in the first set of RFI terms and IE in the second set of RH terms. Therefore, this disclosure in this embodiment does not rewrite Equation 22.10 as the integral of the difference between Equation 22.3 and Equation 22.9. In some embodiments, this disclosure rewrites Equation 22.10 as follows.

[0233] In some embodiments, Algorithm 121 substitutes in Equation 22.10 the first RH term F(2, ff) with 7(2), the intensity of Laser Pulses to generate Laser Filaments, e.g., Laser Filament 234, not dependent on 0 and assumes in the second RH term 7(2) is equivalent to I(IE) at the same 2 and IE. In some embodiments, the same radiation concurrently photodissociates O2 401 and photoionizes N2402, which yields:c / fCbjll / t / / — t / [N2]l / t7t =-7(2) x ( ff (< JO2(P, P) x x dTx dP) - fJEf (< TN2(7E) X dIE)) (Equation 22.11)

[0234] While Objective Function 2299 in some embodiments includes the difference between the rate of O2401 photodissociation and the rate of photoionization of any species of N2402, Method 2200 Optimization Function: O2 Photodissociation / N2 Photoionization in some embodiments determines the difference between the rate of O2 401 photodissociation and the rate of photoionization of a specific species ofN2402, e.g., N2+(X2^^ ) with a threshold energy of -15.58 eV, because N2+(V2Es ) is the N2 402 species with the lowest threshold energy whose photoionization leads to production of N++ N+2244. Since an objective of Method 2200 Optimization Function: O2 Photodissociation / N2 Photoionization is to increase, up to and including a maximum of, Objective Function 2299, Algorithm 121 aims to determine the Laser Pulse Attributes, e.g., 2, Ep, and 7 (including 7peak), which at the same time increase O2 401 photodissociation and decrease the probability of increasing N2402 photoionization. The higher the energy of Laser Pulses, the higher the probability the Laser Pulses increase production of not only N2+(V2^^ ), but also other species of N2 402 with higher threshold energies leading to production of N++ N+2244 which in turn leads to production of Incremental O3.Attorney Docket No. 55018-0002W01

[0235] In some embodiments, not only does the same radiation concurrently photodissociate O2 401 and photoionize N2402, the same radiation is a Laser Pulse transmitted at a specific A, T 803, and P 804 — not transmitted across a range of 2, T 803, and P 804. Moreover, because Method 2200 focuses in some embodiments on increasing, up to and including a maximum of, Objective Function 2299, e.g., the difference between the rate of O2 401 photodissociation and the photoionization rate of the N2402 species with the lowest IE leading to the production of N++ N+2244, Algorithm 121 in these embodiments does not need to compute the integral and the term dIE over a range of IE. In these embodiments, this disclosure rewrites Equation 22.11 as Equation 22.12 which Algorithm 121 uses to compute the difference between Equation 22.3 and Equation 22.9 as a function of 2 and I( / [ChjiAA - [N2]i / # = - 7(2) x ((tro2(2) x 02(2)) - (o\2(2)) (Equation 22.12)

[0236] In some embodiments, to compute the difference between the rate of O2 401 photodissociation and the rate of N2402 photoionization caused by Laser Pulses with specified attributes, e.g., 2, Ep, and I (including / peak), generating Laser Filaments, Algorithm 121 in Method 2200 Optimization Function: O2 Photodissociation / N2 MPI Photoionization includes the same steps included in Method 2200 Optimization Function: O2 Photodissociation / N2 Photodissociation using Equation 22.3 to compute the rate of O2401 photodissociation:6 / [O2]JAA = - J[O2]D = - fffA](E(2, 0) x (702(2, T, P) x 002(2, I) x di x d / x dP) (Equation 22.3)

[0237] In some embodiments where N2402 photoionization is in the form of MPI, Algorithm 121 in Method 2200 Optimization Function: O2 Photodissociation / N2 MPI Photoionization includes steps using Equation 22.13 and Equation 22.14 to compute the N2402 photoionization rate: v= om^loton,gaS) X ^otcr.gas) (Equation 22.13) m(photon.gas) = Int((ZE(gas) / (Ax co)) + 1 (Equation 22.14) where v is the photoionization rate of a gas of interest inside a Laser Filament; cjm(photon) is the cross section of m-photon ionization of a gas of interest inside a Laser Filament;isthe local instantaneous value of the intensity of a Laser Pulse generating a Laser Filament; and m(photon.gas) (where this disclosure distinguishes mfphoton.gas) from m(air) in Equation 19.1) in both Equation 22.13 and Equation 22.14 is the effective nonlinear order of ionization which depends on the ionization potential of the gas of interest, e.g., IE 2213 of O2401 or IE 2214 of N2 402, reduced Planck’s constant A, and Laser Pulse angular frequency <u. The value of &mphoton gas) depends on both I and / . In the case of lower piPhoton-gase.g., 7 » 1, MPI governs photoionization.Attorney Docket No. 55018-0002W01In the case of higherm(Photon'-gas')^e.g., « 1, tunneling governs photoionization. Because the disclosed systems and methods aim preferentially to photodissociate and photoionize O2401 over N2 402, Method 2200 in some embodiments assumes MPI governs photoionization. In other embodiments, Method 2200 assumes tunneling governs photoionization and computes the rate of N2 402 photoionization with values associated with higher jm<J:,hoton'-sas')anc[ qq [nother embodiments, Method 2200 assumes over-the-barrier ionization governs photoionization and computes the rate of N2 402 photoionization with values associated with higher ]m^ho1on'-sas')anj over the barrier ionization (OBI).

[0238] In some embodiments, to compute m in the photoionization rate of N2402, in general, and N2fY2^g ), in particular, Algorithm 121 includes steps using Equation 22.15 through Equation 22.17:miphoton^i) = Int(( / E,(N2+(V22^ )) / ( x co)) + 1 (Equation 22.15) miphotoir ) = Int((15.58 eV particle’1) / ((6.581E-16 eV s)x 2 xjtx cx A’1)) + 1(Equation 22.16) m(pholon i) = Int(l.2560E+07 x 2) + 1 (Equation 22.17) where IE 2214 of the N2+(X2Xg ) species is -15.58 eV particle’1; h is -6.582E-16 eV s; co = 2 x 7i x / (where this disclosure distinguishes f as frequency from / L as focal length in Method 1100) in example units of s’1; / = c x A’1in example units of s’1; c is 3.0E+08 m s’1; and A is in example units of m or nm.For N2+(X ), the values in Equation 22.15 except 2 are well-known and constant.FIG. 28 is a table, Table 22006, listing for each Laser Pulse 2 the associated effective nonlinear order of ionization, which as illustrated in Equation 22.15 is a function of <f (N2) or IE 2214 in the case of the N2+(X2^ ) species and the product of h and co. As 2 decreases, e.g., from -242.0 nm to -66.0 nm, m(photo ) decreases.

[0239] After computing miphotoirX )., Algorithm 121 includes steps using Equation 22.13, Equation 22.18, and Equation 22.19 to compute v for N2 CY2£^ ):v = cjm{photon,gaS) X ^otcr.gas) (Equation 22.13) V = OmCphoton.^l) X I,n(Photon^^> (Equation 22.18) V= <7(Int(1.2560E+07 xA) +1) X / int(i.2560E+07 xA) + 1) (Equation 22.19) where v in Equation 22.19 is the photoionization rate of N2402 inside a Laser Filament in example units of s’1and a function of: (a) (7(int(i.2560E+07x )+i) in example units of W’mmni x 2s’1, which in turn is a function of X; and (b) / W2560E+07x^)+0 jnexample units of W cm’2, which in turn is alsoAttorney Docket No. 55018-0002W01a function of 2. To compute <7(int(i.2560E+07xA)+i) for any given value of 1, Computer 101 configured by the disclosed systems and executing steps in Method 2200 measures, determines experimentally, or assumes based on public or private data sets said variable.

[0240] The difference between Equation 22.3 and Equation 22.19 is:<7[O2]D / <7 / - t / [N2]i / t / Z = - fffAJ(P'(A, ff) x a<yi(A, T, P) x 0o2(A, 7) x dA x t / 7'x dP) - (cr(int(i.2560E+07xA)+i) x / (Int(1 2560E+07xA) +) (Equation 22.20)

[0241] In some embodiments, Algorithm 121 in Equation 22.21 substitutes in Equation 22.20 the first RH term F(A, 9) with 1(A), the intensity of Laser Pulses to generate Laser Filaments, e.g., Laser Filament 234, not dependent on 6.

[0242] In some embodiments, not only does the same radiation concurrently photodissociate O2 401 and photoionize N2402, the same radiation is a Laser Pulse transmitted at a specific A, T 803, and P 804 — not transmitted across a range of A, T 803, and P 804. In these embodiments, this disclosure rewrites Equation 22.20 as Equation 22.21 which Algorithm 121 uses to compute the difference between Equation 22.3 and Equation 22.19 as a function of A and Id[O2]D / dt - d[^2]l / dt = (- 1(A) X <7O2(A) X FO2(A)) - (17(Int(1.2560E+07 xA)+1) x / M1.2560E+07XA)+1))(Equation 22.21)

[0243] Intuitively, increasing I, ceteris paribus, would appear to be effective in decreasing AHG concentration as implied by the term F(A, 6) in Equation 22.3. The higher the I, the higher the rate of photodissociating O2 401, J[C>2]D, which leads to higher production of O(1D) and greater oxidation of CH4214. However, changing Objective Function 2299 in the case of MPI from, e.g., increasing the amount of O2401 photodissociated alone, to increasing the difference between, e.g., the amounts of O2401 photodissociated and N2402 photoionized, decreases the effectiveness of concurrently achieving two objectives, e.g., increasing CH4 214 oxidized and decreasing Incremental O3 produced. The counterintuitive outcome is due to the value of m(photon.gas) in Equation 22.14, Equation 22.15, and Equation 22.17, particularly as Laser Pulse A increases. When m(photon.gas) > 1, e.g., when A > 121.6 nm (as illustrated in FIG. 28), increasing I increases the amount of N2402 photoionized tGasScattering≈ λ-4ster than the amount of O2401 photodissociated, which in turn can increase the amount of Incremental O3 produced tGasScattering≈ λ-4ster than the amount of CH4214 oxidized.

[0244] In some embodiments, Algorithm 121 includes steps solving Method 2200 Optimization Function: O2 Photodissociation / N2 MPI Photoionization. The solution finds the Selected Laser Attribute-Values 161, e.g., A, Ep, and I (including / peak), of Laser Pulses to generate Laser FilamentsAttorney Docket No. 55018-0002W01which increase, up to and including a maximum of, said Optimization Function. Where the value of miphoton.gas) exceeds 1 in N2402 MPI, Laser Pulses with Selected Laser Attribute- Values 161 generally lead to decreasing 2, instead of increasing / , to increase said Optimization Function.

[0245] In some embodiments, Algorithm 121 includes steps using the following equations to compute umphotonN2) or tT(int(i.2560E+07 x A) +1) by applying to N2402 the following model Sharma et al. applied to compute am(photonO2) for O2401.rt2He (r) = HO x jtl(v x dt) = am(photon-. O2) x 7?o X ((r, f)mx dt) (Equation 22.22) where ns(r) is plasma density at a specific location r produced by an ultrashort Laser Pulse; no is background gas density; v is the photoionization rate of O2401 inside a Laser Filament in example units of s’1; (Tm^hoton.-m) is the cross section of m-photon ionization of O2 401 inside a Laser Filament; I (r, / )“ is the local instantaneous intensity of a Laser Pulse as a function of specific location r and time t. Sharma et al. integrated Equation 22.22 over the Laser Pulse duration at a specific location r. Sharma et al. then integrated Equation 22.22 over the plasma volume V N ~ 0m(photon'.02) X HQ X Jf ( / (r, t)mxdtx dV) (Equation 22.23) Sharma et al. then computed the value of m = 8 for ionizing photons from an 800 nm Laser Pulse and E (O2) or IE 2213:ff z, o* X dV.dO = ((231 x x) / (1024 x 16)) x x X x rx W x zx x x „o2(Equation 22.24) where r is the temporal width of the Laser Pulse I (including / peak) in example units of s, which in some embodiments approximates a Gaussian distribution and equals (FWHMi)l(2 x ln2 ) where FWHM is FWHM of Laser Pulse I (including / peak); is the 1 / e2Laser Pulse beam waist radius in example units of m; ZR is the Laser Pulse beam Rayleigh length in example units of m; / o8is the local instantaneous intensity of a Laser Pulse as a function of m(photon: Ch) in example units W cm’2; z?o2 is the number density of O2401 in background air equal to -5.13 x 1018cm’3in example units of cm'3depending on T 803 and P 804; and er is the cross section of 8-photon ionization of O2 401 inside a Laser Filament in example units of W’mmin x 2s’1. Sharma et al. then rewrote Equation 22.3 and Equation 22.24 as:Ne= ((231 x 7t) / (1024 x 16)) x l(^) x 7t x rx ii’o2x ZR x / 08X no2 x erg (Equation 22.25)Attorney Docket No. 55018-0002W01where Sharma et al (a) measured Ae, the spatial and temporal attributes of Laser Pulse (r, wo, R, and / o8), and entered the well-known value of 7702; (b) plotted TVeas a function of To8; and (c) estimated 0 by obtaining the best fit of the relationship between TVeand To8.

[0246] In some embodiments, Algorithm 121 includes steps using Equation 22.26 to compute om(photon^T) or <7(int(i.2560E+07 x A) +1) in a manner similar to the Sharma et al. model for computing O m(pholon'. O2) ■Ne= ((231 x it) / (1024 x 16)) x J(~) x 7t x TX wo2x ZR X / omx T? N2 x dm(Equation 22.26)where r is the temporal width of the Laser Pulse I (including / peak) in example units of s, which in some embodiments approximates a Gaussian distribution and equals (FJ / 7 / A t) / (2 x ln2 ) where FWHM is FWHM of Laser Pulse I (including / peak); wo is the 1 / e2Laser Pulse beam waist radius in example units of m; ZR is the Laser Pulse beam Rayleigh length in example units of m; / omis the local instantaneous intensity of a Laser Pulse generating a Laser Filament as a function of m(photon: N2) where m(photon: Ni) is a function of X in Equation 2.19 in example units W cm'2; HN2 is the number density of N2402 in background air equal to —2.13 x 1019cm'3in example units of cm'3depending on T 803 and P 804; and dmis the cross section of / w-photon ionization of N2 402 inside a Laser Filament in example units of W’mmm x 2s’1. The value, 71, is well-known. Computer 101 configured by the disclosed systems and executing steps in Method 2200 measures, determines experimentally, or assumes based on public or private data sets the variables, TVe, r, wo, ZR, and WN2. The variables which are a function of 2, Ep, and I (including / peak) include wo2, / om, and dm. To compute Gm< hoton-.:i2) or d(hit(i.2560E+07xt) +i), this disclosure rewrites Equation 22.26 as Equation 22.27:dm = Ne X ((1024 X 16) / (231 X 7t)) X (jl / lll)’1 2X 7t_1X f1X Wo’2X ZR’1X / o’mX / 7\2’’(Equation 22.27)

[0247] Algorithm 121 then: (a) measures Ne, the spatial and temporal attributes of Laser Pulse (r, wo, R, and / om), and enters the well-known value of / \2; (b) plots Nsas a function of / om; and (c) estimates Om^hoton-.^i) for each 2 of interest by obtaining the best fit of the relationship between Neand / om. Since m(photon^i) is a function of 2 as illustrated in Equation 22.17, c n hoton ) is also a function of 2.

[0248] Strong laser fields, e.g., fields associated with a tunneling environment, change molecule attributes, e.g., their vibrational states, bond lengths, and bending angles, which in turnAttorney Docket No. 55018-0002W01disproportionately affects O2401 and N2402 photoionization rates because, inter alia, Laser Pulse z has a stronger effect on Franck-Condon tGasScattering≈ λ-4ctors in O2401 than in N2402 leading to O2401 and N2402 photoionization rates that depend on the angle between the molecular axis and electric field vector of Laser Pulse (Kopytin et al.).

[0249] In some embodiments, to compute the difference between the rate of O2 401 photodissociation and the rate of N2402 photoionization caused by Laser Pulses with specified attributes, e.g., 2, Ep, and I (including Zpeak), generating Laser Filaments, Algorithm 121 in Method 2200 Optimization Function: O2 Photodissociation / N2 TI Photoionization includes the same steps included in Method 2200 Optimization Function: O2 Photodissociation / N2 Photodissociation to compute the rate of O2401 photodissociation:4O2W = - 7[O2]D = - (F(2, 0) X <702(2, T, P) X 002(2, T) x 02 x dTx dP)(Equation 22.3)

[0250] In some embodiments where N2402 photoionization is in the form of TI, Algorithm 121 in Method 2200 Optimization Function: O2 Photodissociation / N2 TI Photoionization includes steps using Equation 22.28 and Equation 22.29 to compute the N2 402 photoionization rate (modeled after Gallmann et al. in Equation 22.28 or Kopytin et al. in Equation 22.29):IFTI = exp (((-1) x (2 x (2 x Zp)3 2)) / (3 x E)) (Equation 22.28) where IFTI is the photoionization rate of N2402 in tunnel ionization; Zp is the ionization potential of a gas of interest; and E is the Laser Pulse non-adiabatic electric field amplitude.WVi(F, 0e) = Wfi (F, Re) (Equation 22.29) where Wviis the photoionization rate of N2402 in tunnel ionization when summing the ionization rates over all possible vibrational states of the residual ion; Wfl is the photoionization rate of N2 402 in tunnel ionization for a given vibrational state of the residual ion as a function of F and A; F is the amplitude of the Laser Pulse electric field vector; 0eis the angle between the molecular axis of N2402 and the Laser Pulse electric field vector; and R is the internuclear separation radius of N2402. To compute JFTI in Equation 22.28 and WViin Equation 22.29, Computer 101 configured by the disclosed systems and executing steps in Method 2200 measures, determines experimentally, or assumes based on public or private data sets the terms on the right side of each equation. In some embodiments, Algorithm 121 includes steps to compute the difference between Equation 22.3 and either Equation 22.28 or Equation 22.29 and solve Method 2200 Optimization Function: O2 Photodissociation / N2 TI Photoionization equivalent to the steps Algorithm 121Attorney Docket No. 55018-0002W01executes to compute the difference between Equation 22.3 and Equation 22.4 and solve Method 2200 Optimization Function: O2 Photodissociation / N2 SPI Photoionization.

[0251] While this disclosure describes solving a Constrained Optimization problem including an Optimization Function which is a function of the 2, Ep, and I (including / peak) of Laser Pulses to generate Laser Filaments, it is not limited to those embodiments and describes solving a Constrained Optimization problem including an Optimization Function which is a function of any Laser Pulse Attributes (separately or in combination with any of 2, Ep, and / (including / peak)) of Laser Pulses to generate Laser Filaments. For example, in some embodiments, an Optimization Function including the photoionization rate of molecules, including O2401 and N2402, depends on not only 2, Ep, and I (includingpeak) of Laser Pulses, but also polarization of Laser Pulses.

[0252] In some embodiments, the photoionization rate depends on Q, the angle between the molecular axis and the laser polarization axis (or laser electric-field vector). " Small molecules in the gas phase rapidly align with the laser polarization when illuminated by intense femtosecond or picosecond pulses due to the torque on the laser-induced molecular dipole moment." (Ellert et al.) In the case of O2401, the probability of photoionization increases "when 0 is about 45°, where 0 is the angle between the O2 molecular axis and the laser polarization direction, reflecting the shape of the 17igorbital." (Fukahori et al.) While this disclosure describes O2 401 photoionization generating C>2+2235 through electron emission from the HOMO, 17rg, it is not limited to those embodiments and can generate O2+2235 through electron emission also from inner valence shells.

[0253] In some embodiments, Method 2200 exploits the difference in ionization rates between O2 401 and N2402 as a function of / , including / peak, and polarization direction. Angular distributions of photoelectrons depend on the extent to which a molecule is randomly oriented along its molecular axis or completely aligned along the polarization direction of a Laser Pulse (Jaron-Becker et al.). The HOMO of O2401 is of n symmetry (illustrated in FIG. 26) whose nodal plane through the molecular axis yields different photoelectron angular distributions: minimum angular distribution where O2401 is completely aligned along the polarization axis and maximum angular distribution where O2401 is randomly aligned along the polarization axis. The HOMO of N2402 is of o symmetry (illustrated in FIG. 27) which lacks a nodal plane through the molecular axis and, therefore, yields photoelectron angular distributions independent of N2 402 complete or random alignment along the polarization axis.Attorney Docket No. 55018-0002W01

[0254] In some embodiments, Algorithm 121 includes steps using Equation 22.30 to compute the Gamma function T, i.e., total photoionization rate of O2401 andN2402 per molecule (Jaron-Becker etaiy.Tfi (I, n ) = SN=WO J" (^ x ((dWf / N>x (I, / ? )) / d£)) (Equation 22.30) where I is Laser Pulse intensity, including peak intensity / peak; w is a unit vector reflecting the molecular axis orientation in space; S / v= / vo is the sum of the f from N=No to co; No is the minimum number of photons absorbed from the Laser Pulse to ionize the molecule; dQ is the solid angle; and E / / ' is the differential rate of ionization per molecule. To compute theN2402 photoionization rate as a function of Laser Pulse polarization direction and I in any Objective Function 2299, Method 2200 Optimization Function: O2 Photodissociation / N2 Photoionization, e.g., as expressed in Equation 22.10 and Equation 22.20, can include steps using Equation 22.30.

[0255] In other embodiments, the photoionization rate depends on another polarization attribute, e.g., whether polarization is linear or circular. The critical power, Pcr, for self-focusing is lower for a linear polarized Laser Pulse than a circular polarized Laser Pulse. PCTequals (Polynkin et aiy.Per = (3.79 x 2o2) / (8 x 7t x «2X wo) (Equation 22.31)

[0256] A higher nonlinear refractive index, W2 (discussed in section, " Method 2200: Method 2200 Constraint: Plasma Density"), leads to a lower Pcr, which in turn increases the probability of fllamentation for linearly polarized Laser Pulses.

[0257] Returning to embodiments of Candidate Laser Attribute- Values 151 excluding polarization attributes, Method 2200 uses equations to compute Objective Function 2299 as a function of a set of Candidate Laser Attribute- Values 151, e.g., 2, £p, and I (including / pcak), of Laser Pulses generating Laser Filaments. For example, this disclosure in some embodiments rewrites: (a) Method 2200 Optimization Function: O2 Photodissociation / N2 Photodissociation as a function of 2 and / in the form of Equation 22.7; and (b) Method 2200 Optimization Function: O2 Photodissociation / N2 Photoionization as a function of 2 and / depending on the class of N2402 photoionization including: (i) Method 2200 Optimization Function: O2 Photodissociation / N2 SPI Photoionization as a function of 2 and / in the form of Equation 22.12; (ii) Method 2200 Optimization Function: O2 Photodissociation / N2 MPI Photoionization as a function of 2 and I in the form of Equation 22.21; and (iii) Method 2200 Optimization Function: O2 Photodissociation / N2 TI Photoionization as a function of 2 and I. In these embodiments, Method 2200 includes stepsAttorney Docket No. 55018-0002W01entering the values in the RH terms of equations, which depend on, inter alia, cross sections a and quantum yields of O2401 and N2402 as a function of 2 and T 803.

[0258] FIG. 29 is a chart, Chart 22007, illustrating example relationships between: (a) photodissociation and photoionization absorption cross sections of O2401 and N2402; and (b) 2 of radiation. The chart compares the approximate cross section in example units of cm2molecule'1of different O2401 and N2402 products from photodissociation and photoionization as a function of Laser Pulse 2 in example units of nm. Each line represents example partial cross sections of a specific O2401 or N2402 product of photodissociation or photoionization species as a function of Laser Pulse. For example, line 2252 represents the partial cross section of O(3P) + O(1D) 2232 as a function of Laser Pulse A, and the line 2253 represents the partial cross section of N2+2241 as a function of Laser Pulse 2. The relationships are generally nonlinear and can include sharp discontinuities at specific thresholds. Moreover, partial cross section as a function of z can change over small A differences, e.g., two, three, or more orders of magnitude within a range of several nm wavelengths.

[0259] FIG. 29 is a chart illustrating example partial cross sections as a function of 2 for several products of O2401 and N2402 photodissociation and photoionization including: O(3P) + O(3P) 2231 whose partial cross section as a function of z is represented by Line 2251, O(3P) + O^D) 2232 whose partial cross section as a function of A is represented by Line 2252, N2+2241 whose partial cross section as a function of A is represented by Line 2253, and O2+2235 whose partial cross section as a function of A is represented by Line 2254. Note how the partial cross section of O(3P) + O(3P) 2231 is discontinuous from one wavelength, ~ —83.5 nm, to another wavelength, 2 = -169.0 nm. That is, Line 2251 displays no positive partial cross section for O(3P) + O(3P) 2231 in the band >~83.5 nm to <-169.0 nm. Each line includes the maximum 2 at which the product has a positive partial cross section including: 2256 representing the highest 2 for which there is a positive O(3P) + O(3P) 2231 partial cross section, 2257 representing the highest for which there is a positive O(3P) + O(1D) 2232 partial cross section, 2258 representing the highest z for which there is a positive N2+2241 partial cross section, and 2259 representing the highest 2 for which there is a positive C>2+2235 partial cross section.

[0260] In some embodiments, Method 2200 includes steps computing Objective Function 2299, e.g., the difference between the O2401 photodissociation rate and the N2402 photoionization rate, subject to Method 2200 Constraint: Gas. Increasing, up to and including a maximum of, the valueAttorney Docket No. 55018-0002W01of Objective Function 2299 suggests selecting sets of Candidate Attribute- Values 151 whose wavelengths are no higher than 2259 since this disclosure preferentially photoionizes O2401 over N2402 to produce plasma density comprising electrons from O2+2235 to enable Laser Filaments or meet Method 2200 Constraint: Plasma Density. Moreover, while selecting sets of Candidate Attribute- Values 151 whose wavelengths are not equal to or lower than 2258 means no production of N+, Method 2200 can still include sets of Candidate Attribute- Values 151 with wavelengths lower than 2258 since Objective Function 2299 in some embodiments is the difference between the O2401 photodissociation rate and N2402 photoionization rate. If the O2401 photodissociation rate is high enough, said difference can still be large even with positive N+production.

[0261] FIG. 29 does not show partial cross sections of N + N despite their different species, N(45) +Nf'A), N(2£>) + N(45), N(2C) + N(4S), and N(2D) + N(2 / J), having lower IE than the N2+species with the lowest IE, N2+(V2^^ ). Photodissociating N2402 into the former set of N + N species does not lead to production of N+which Method 2200 in some embodiments aims to decrease. Instead, FIG. 29 shows partial cross sections of N2+2241 and N + N+2242, each of whose photodissociation or photoionization leads to N+production. While Method 2200 includes steps whose execution decreases, down to and including a minimum of, N+production through photoionizing N2402, it is not limited to that embodiment and can include steps whose execution decreases, down to and including a minimum of, N production through reactions following photodissociating N2402 as illustrated in 2142 in FIG. 20B. The following reactions can lead to production of NO2302, which in turn can lead to production of Incremental O32022.N++ O2N + O2+(Reaction 2212B) N + O2 — > NO + O (Reaction 22.7)

[0262] This disclosure solves any class of Method 2200 Constrained Optimization problem for any class of N2 402 photodissociation leading to production of N + N, which in turn leads to production of NO2302, which in turn leads to production of Incremental O3 2022, by executing steps equivalent or similar to the solution in the case of N2 402 photodissociation leading to production of NA For example, Method 2200 in some embodiments still includes steps whose execution sets Equation 22.7 as Objective Function 2299 in both the case of N2 402 photodissociation leading to production of N and the case of N2402 photodissociation leading to production of N+. However, instead of entering the value of < J\2( ) in the case of cr(2) where N2 402 photodissociation leads to N2+2241, Method 2200 in some embodiments enters the value ofAttorney Docket No. 55018-0002W01< TN2( ) in the case of <r(A) where N2402 photodissociation leads to N + N. The lower IE of N + N leads to its higher peak partial cross section, a(~96.6 nm) = 1.00E-16 cm2molecule'1, compared to the peak partial cross section of N2+2241, (~76.5 nm) = 6.58E-17 cm2molecule'1, as well as having the peak partial cross section at a longer wavelength, A = -96.6 nm vs. = -76.5 nm. In some embodiments, solving a Method 2200 Constrained Optimization problem with N2 402 photodissociation leading to production of N + N leads to the selection of the same set of A, £p, and I (including Zpeak) of Laser Pulses to generate Laser Filaments. However, the higher partial cross section of N + N increases the probability of producing Incremental O3 2022, which decreases the probability a solution to Method 2200 Constrained Optimization problem satisfies Method 2200 Constraint: Gas in which the gas is Incremental O3.

[0263] FIG. 30 is a chart, Chart 22008, illustrating example selected photodissociation and photoionization absorption partial cross sections of O2 and N2 as a function of radiation A for given T 803 and P 804. Point 2261 represents an example first local maximum partial cross section of O(3P) + O(3P) 2231 equaling -1.80 x 10'18cm2molecule'1at A = -177.1 nm in the A band from -169.0 nm to -242.4 nm (where the source of Points 2261 through 2269 is Huebner et al.). Point 2262 represents an example second local maximum partial cross section of O(3P) + O(3P) 2231 equaling -1.80 x 10'17cm2molecule'1at A = -79.0 nm in the A band from -58.4 nm to -83.5 nm. Point 2263 represents an example maximum partial cross section of O(3P) + O(1D) 2232 equaling -1.75 x IO'17cm2molecule'1at A = -124.6 nm in the A band from -92.3 nm to -175.6 nm. Point 2264 represents an example first local maximum partial cross section of C>2+2235 equaling -9.31 x 10'21at A = -143.9 nm in the A band from -175.6 nm to -106.9 nm. Point 2265 represents an example second local maximum partial cross section of O2 2235 equaling -2.50 x 1017at A = -97.3 nm in the A band from -106.7 nm to -93.8 nm. Point 2266 represents an example third local maximum partial cross section of C>2+2235 equaling -2.87 x 10'17at A = -64.8 nm in the A band from -93.7 nm to 1.0 nm. Point 2267 represents an example maximum partial cross section of N + N+2242 equaling -1.21 x 10'18cm2molecule'1at A = -24.7 nm in the A band from -50.8 nm to -1.0 nm. Point 2268 represents an example maximum A of product N + N+2242 from photodissociation of N2402 with a partial cross section equaling -5.65 x 10'21cm2molecule'1at A = -50.8. Point 2269 represents an example maximum A of product N2+2241 from photoionization of N2402 with a partial cross section equaling -5.60 x 10'18cm2molecule'1at A = -79.5 nm.Attorney Docket No. 55018-0002W01

[0264] FIG. 30 is a chart illustrating several shaded areas representing regions in which local or global maximum partial cross sections of interest can occur. The dotted region has a right border labelled 2257 whose A = -175.6 nm, which is the longest A for which O(3P) + O('D) 2232 production has a positive partial cross section, -1.00 x 10'21cm2molecule'1. While the O(3P) + O(1D) 2232 partial cross section at -175.6 nm is over four orders of magnitude lower than the -1.75 x IO'17cm2molecule'1maximum partial cross section at -124.6 nm, O(3P) + O(1D) 2232 production with said low partial cross section at -175.6 nm can still occur with sufficiently high I and 02. The grid region has a right border labelled 2258 whose! = -79.5 nm, which is the longest A for which N+2241 production has a positive partial cross section, -5.60 x 10'18cm2molecule'1. The grid region has a left border labelled 2260 whose 2 = -50.8 nm, which is the longest 2 for which N + N+2242 production (whose relationship with A FIG. 29 does not depict) has a positive partial cross section, -5.65 x 10'21cm2molecule'1. While several products of O2401 and N2402 photodissociation and photoionization have local or global maximum partial cross sections in the range of wavelengths from 2(2257) to 2(2260), including Point 2262, Point 2263, Point 2264, Point 2265, Point 2266, Point 2268, and Point 2269, products of O2401 and N2402 photodissociation and photoionization still have positive partial cross sections at wavelengths outside the range of wavelengths from 2(2257) to 2(2260) as illustrated by Line 2251, Line 2252, Line 2253, and Line 2254 in FIG. 29. With sufficiently high I and 02, photodissociation and photoionization of O2 401 and N2402 at wavelengths outside the range of wavelengths from 2(2257) to 2(2260) can still yield Selected Laser Attribute-Values 161 which are inputs to solving Method 2200 O2 Photodissociation / N2 Photoionization Constrained Optimization.

[0265] FIG. 30 illustrates only example selected absorption cross sections of O2401 and N2402 as a function of radiation 2. While the rate of N2402 photoionization in some embodiments does not depend on the quantum yield of N2^N (e.g., Equation 22.12 and Equation 22.21), the rate of O2 401 photodissociation can depend on the quantum yield of O2— > G(3P), O2— ►O^D), and 02^02 So computations including only the absorption cross sections of O2401 may not yield the correct O2401 photodissociation rate where the 02 does not equal 1.0. However, FIG. 30 illustrates the potential difference in O2 401 and N2 402 absorption cross sections over small wavelength ranges, which in turn illustrates the sensitivity of O2401 photodissociation rate, N2 402 photodissociation rate, and N2402 photoionization rate to 2.Attorney Docket No. 55018-0002W01

[0266] In some embodiments, Method 2200 includes steps measuring and entering into equations absorption cross sections of O2401 and N2402 as a function of Laser Pulse A by measuring said data in a volume of interest or reading said data from sources like Huebner et al.

[0267] To illustrate how this disclosure solves a Constrained Optimization problem, it presents an example set of computations to solve different and limited embodiments of some Constrained Optimization problems (" Illustrated Solution"). While this disclosure presents an Illustrated Solution solving Method 2200 O2 Photodissociation / N2 Photoionization Constrained Optimization problem in the case of N2 402 SPI or N2 402 MPI, it is not limited to those embodiments and solves any class of Constrained Optimization problem, including the following.

[0268] First, this disclosure solves any class of Method 2200 Constrained Optimization problem for any class of O2401 photodissociation by executing steps equivalent or similar to the solution in the case of Method 2200 O2 Photodissociation / N2 Photoionization Constrained Optimization problem with N2402 SPI. For example, instead of setting Equation 22.12 as Objective Function 2299 in the case of Method 2200 O2 Photodissociation / N2 Photoionization Constrained Optimization problem with N2 402 SPI, Method 2200 in some embodiments includes steps executed by Computer 101 to set Equation 22.7 as Objective Function 2299 in the case of O2401 photodissociation and N2 402 photodissociation. Second, this disclosure solves any class of Method 2200 Constrained Optimization problem for any class of N2 402 photodissociation and photoionization, e.g., N2 402 photodissociation, N2 402 MPI, and N2402 TI, by executing steps equivalent or similar to the solution in the case of Method 2200 O2 Photodissociation / N2 Photoionization Constrained Optimization problem with N2 402 SPI. For example, instead of setting Equation 22.12 as Objective Function 2299 in the case Method 2200 O2 Photodissociation / N2 Photoionization Constrained Optimization problem with N2 402 SPI, Method 2200 in some embodiments includes steps executed by Computer 101 to set Equation 22.21 as Objective Function 2299 in the case of N2402 MPI. Third, this disclosure solves any class of Method 2200 Constrained Optimization problem for any class of AHG including oxidation and photodissociation and photoionization of CH4 214, CO2 215, and N2O 217 and any of their respective precursors by executing steps equivalent or similar to the solution in the case of Method 2200 O2 Photodissociation / N2 Photoionization Constrained Optimization problem with N2 402 SPI. For example, instead of setting Equation 22.12 as Objective Function 2299 in the case of Method 2200 O2 Photodissociation / N2 Photoionization Constrained Optimization problem withAttorney Docket No. 55018-0002W01N2 402 SPI whose value computed by steps in Method 2200 increases, up to and including a maximum, to oxidize CH4 214, Method 2200 in some embodiments includes steps executed by Computer 101 to set as Objective Function 2299 any object of the class, Objective Function 2299 Embodiments, whose value computed by steps in Method 2200 increases, up to and including a maximum, to photodissociate CO2215, N2O 217, or any other AHG. Fourth, this disclosure solves any class of Constrained Optimization problem for any other disclosed method including Method 2310, Method 2410, and Method 2510. For example, instead of Method 2200 including steps modulating a Laser Pulse Attribute in the energy domain, Method 2310 includes steps modulating a Laser Pulse Attribute in the temporal domain, Method 2410 includes steps modulating a Laser Pulse Attribute in the spatial domain, and Method 2510 includes steps modulating a Laser Pulse Attribute in any plurality of domains.

[0269] In the four immediately preceding examples, a disclosed method includes steps executed by Computer 101 and Laser 222 formulating and solving a Constrained Optimization problem for any class of O2401 photodissociation, N2402 photodissociation and photoionization, precursor to AHG photodissociation and photoionization, AHG photodissociation and photoionization, and Laser Pulse Attribute domain modulation which will be apparent to a person having ordinary skill in the art to which this disclosure pertains without departing from the scope and spirit of the described embodiments.

[0270] In some embodiments, Laser Pulse generation of Laser Filaments occurs when sufficient ionization increases plasma density yielding a refractive index change that balances the refractive index change due to Kerr self-focusing. In those embodiments, MPI or TI of air molecules achieves the required plasma density. In particular, MPI or TI of inner-valence electrons of N2 402 is the class of ionization achieving required plasma density (Daigle et al.). However, in other embodiments, Method 2200 includes steps executed by Computer 101 and Laser 222 preferentially photoionizing O2 401 over N2 402, which decreases reliance on MPI or TI to achieve required plasma density. Regardless, even though this disclosure solves Method 2200 O2 Photodissociation / N2 Photoionization Constrained Optimization problem in some embodiments in the case of N2 402 SPI, Method 2200 includes steps executed by Computer 101 and Laser 222 formulating and solving Method 2200 Constrained Optimizations in the case of N2402 MPI or N2402 TI, where said steps are equivalent or similar to steps in the case of N2402 SPI which will be apparent to aAttorney Docket No. 55018-0002W01person having ordinary skill in the art to which this disclosure pertains without departing from the scope and spirit of the described embodiments.

[0271] As reflected in Equation 22.12 under certain assumptions, Method 2200 in an Illustrated Solution includes steps representing Objective Function 2299 as:d\Oi\v>ldt - d \] / dt = - / (2) x ((ot>2(2) / JO2( )) - (ON2(2)) (Equation 22.12)

[0272] In some embodiments, Method 2200 includes steps representing Objective Function 2299 as the difference between the amount of a precursor atom, molecule, or ion to ‘OH oxidizing CH4 214, specifically the number of O(1D) produced from O2401 photodissociation at Reaction 22.2, and the amount of a precursor atom, molecule, or ion leading to Incremental O3 production, e.g., the number of N+produced from N2402 photodissociation and photoionization at Reaction 2111.Method 2200 can include steps representing Objective Function 2299 as the difference between O(3P) + O(3P) in Reaction 22.1 and N+, the difference between O(3P) + O('D) in Reaction 22.2 and N+, the difference between O('D) + Of1D) in Reaction 22.3 and N+, or the difference between Of'D) + O('S) in Reaction 22.4 and N+, or the difference between any products of O2 401 photodissociation and any products of N2 402 photodissociation and photoionization. Method 2200 in an Illustrated Solution includes steps representing Objective Function 2299 as the difference between O(3P) + Of1D) in Reaction 22.2 and N+to illustrate some embodiments yielding the high production of one of the atoms, molecules, or ions most directly involved in CH4 214 oxidation, O(1D) in Reaction 2104, which leads to CH4214 oxidation in Reaction 2105.

[0273] As discussed earlier, F(z) in nature is solar irradiance as a function of but in Method 2200 F(2) is intensity of Laser Pulses as a function of 2 to generate Laser Filaments, e.g., Laser Filament 234. In some embodiments, Method 2200 includes steps limiting the set of Candidate Laser Attribute-Values 151 to include / , including / peak, as a function of 2 with a range whose maximum does not exceed / damped because intensity at / damped is sufficiently high to ionize any atmospheric gas. Section " Method 2200: Method 2200 Constraint: Plasma Density" describes the steps included in Method 2200 which use equations to compute / damped as a function of 2. In other embodiments, Method 2200 includes steps specifying the set of Candidate Laser Attribute- Values 151 to include I, including / peak, as a function of 2 with a range whose maximum exceeds / damped, e.g., experiments showed in certain focusing geometries / peak exceeds / damped by two orders of magnitude (Kiran etal.Attorney Docket No. 55018-0002W01

[0274] In some embodiments, Method 2200 includes steps limiting the set of Candidate Laser Attribute- Values 151 to limit 2 to a range between 2(2257) to 2(2260) because it includes maximum partial cross sections for multiple O2 401 and N2 402 photodissociation and photoionization products, whose values would probably contribute to increasing Objective Function 2299. In other embodiments, Method 2200 includes steps not limiting the set of Candidate Laser Attribute- Values 151 to 2 with a range between 2(2257) to 2(2260), which enables Method 2200 to include steps identifying a maximum global solution of Method 2200 O2 Photodissociation / N2 Photoionization Constrained Optimization, but which takes more time than embodiments of Method 2200 including steps limiting the set of Candidate Laser Attribute-Values 151.

[0275] FIG. 31 is a table, Table 22009, listing example values in an Illustrated Solution of Objective Function 2299 as a function of two variables, 2 and I. The left column lists example 2 (in example units of nm) of Laser Pulses generating Laser Filaments. The top row lists example I (in example units of 1.0E+11 W cm’2) of Laser Pulses generating Laser Filaments. The value in each cell other than the left column and the top row represents example values (in example units of 1.0E-20 W molecule’1) of one embodiment of Objective Function 2299, in this case, the difference between O2401 photodissociation rate and N2402 SPI photoionization rate as computed by Equation 22.12.

[0276] FIG. 32 is a chart, Chart 22010, illustrating example relationships in an Illustrated Solution between: (a) 2 and / damped; and (b) one example embodiment of Objective Function 2299 based on the data in Table 2200J in FIG. 31. The x-axis includes example 2 of Laser Pulses generating Laser Filaments. The y-axis includes example / of Laser Pulses generating Laser Filaments. The z-axis includes example values of one embodiment of Objective Function 2299, in this case, the difference between O2401 photodissociation rate and N2402 SPI photoionization rate as computed by Equation 22.12. The chart illustrates Objective Function 2299 generally increasing with: (a) longer 2 above Line 2258 because N212241 production has no partial cross section above 2 = -79.5 nm and any O(1D) production with a positive partial cross section increases Objective Function 2299; and (b) higher / because it increases O2401 photodissociation. However, the chart illustrates the generally increasing Objective Function 2299 in some embodiments is not linear because Line 2252 representing the O(3P) + O(1D) 2232 partial cross section is non-linear. For example, Objective Function 2299 decreases from 2 = 140.0 nm to 2 = 150.0 due to the sharp non-linear decrease in the O(3P) + O(1D) 2232 partial cross section over said 2 band. The set of CandidateAttorney Docket No. 55018-0002W01Laser Attribute-Values 151 in an Illustrated Solution will narrow as Method 2200 includes steps incorporating constraints.

[0277] The following sections, " Method 2200: Method 2200 Constraint: Plasma Density", " Method 2200: Method 2200 Constraint: Gas", and " Method 2200: Method 2200 Constraint: Cost", each describe steps executed by Computer 101 specifying how Algorithm 121 determines these constraints.Method 2200: Method 2200 Constraint: Plasma Density

[0278] An objective of Method 2200 is to determine the set of Candidate Laser Attribute-Values 151, e.g., A, Ep, and I (including Zpeak), of Laser Pulses which increase Objective Function 2299 subject to said Laser Pulses yielding at least the necessary plasma density enabling Laser Filaments. In some embodiments, after Computer 101 configured by the disclosed systems and executing steps in Method 2200 determines said set of Candidate Laser Attribute- Values 151, another objective of Method 2200 is to determine from said set a subset of Candidate Laser Attribute-Values 151 of Laser Pulses generating Laser Filaments which preferentially photoionize O2401 over N2402.

[0279] In some embodiments, before Computer 101 configured by the disclosed systems and executing steps in Method 2200 determines functions and values in Equation 22.5 through Equation 22.21 and Equation 22.26 through Equation 22.29, Computer 101 determines the set of Candidate Laser Attribute- Values 151 of Laser Pulses able to yield at least the necessary plasma density enabling Laser Filaments. In other embodiments, after Computer 101 configured by the disclosed systems and executing steps in Method 2200 determines functions and values in Equation 22.5 through Equation 22.21 and Equation 22.26 through Equation 22.29, Computer 101 determines the set of Candidate Laser Attribute- Values 151 of Laser Pulses yielding at least the necessary plasma density enabling Laser Filaments. The decision whether to determine the set of Candidate Laser Attribute- Values 151 before or after determining functions and values in Equation 22.5 through Equation 22.21 and Equation 22.26 through Equation 22.29 depends on tGasScattering≈ λ-4ctors including: (a) the total processing requirements to determine: (i) the set of Candidate Laser Attribute-Values 151; and (ii) the functions and values in Equation 22.5 through Equation 22.21 and Equation 22.26 through Equation 22.29; and (b) the variation in T 803 and P 804 along a given Path of Laser Filaments, which affects the processing requirements for Equation 22.5 through Equation 22.21 and Equation 22.26 through Equation 22.29.Attorney Docket No. 55018-0002W01

[0280] Method 2200 includes steps when executed by Computer 101 and Laser 222 which increase, up to and including a maximum of, Objective Function 2299 subject to the Laser Pulses generating at least sufficient plasma density to generate Laser Filaments. A condition for generating Laser Filaments, e.g., Laser Filament 234 and Laser Filament 235, is sufficient ionization to increase plasma density yielding a change in refractive index that balances the change in refractive index due to Kerr self-focusing. In some embodiments, because Method 2200 photodissociates and photoionizes preferentially O2401 over N2402, Method 2200 increases the probability of forming Laser Filaments more from O2401 photoionization and less from N2402 photoionization. Method 2200 includes one or more steps in Algorithm 121 when executed by Computer 101 which computes one or more Selected Laser Attribute- Values 161, e.g., 2, Ep, and I (including / peak), to yield at least the necessary plasma density enabling Laser Filaments. In some embodiments, Method 2200 limits the set of Candidate Laser Attribute- Values 151 (from which Method 2200 determines Selected Laser Attribute- Values 161 photodissociating and photoionizing preferentially O2401 over N2402) to those Candidate Laser Attribute-Values 151 of Laser Pulses able to yield at least the necessary plasma density enabling Laser Filaments.

[0281] In some embodiments, to determine the Selected Laser Attribute- Values 161, e.g., A, Ep, and / (including / peak), of Laser Pulses which produce sufficient electrons for increasing plasma density preferentially from photoionization of O2401 over N2402, Algorithm 121 includes steps executing computations (modeled after Liu et al. (2014) and Daigle et all)'.n= no + Ankr + NnP= no + (%x / )- ((Nex e2) / (2 x so x mex coo2)) (Equation 22.32) where n is the effective index of refraction during laser filamentation; no is the linear refraction index; Az%ris the change in refraction index due to Kerr self-focusing; m is the coefficient of Ken- nonlinear refraction index; / is the local intensity of the propagating laser pulse; Anpis the change in refraction index due to plasma generation; Neis the plasma density inside the laser filament; e is the elementary charge whose value is well-known at -1.602 x 10’19C; so is the vacuum permittivity whose value is well-known at -8.854 x 10'12F m’1; meis the mass of the electron whose value is well-known at -9.109 x 10’31kg; and coo is the central angular frequency of the laser pulse.

[0282] As the intensity of Laser Pulses increases, plasma density increases until A - + Anp= 0 at which Kerr self-focusing balances plasma defocusing. At said balance, Neequals:Ne= (2 x so x mex coo2x m x I) / e2(Equation 22.33)Attorney Docket No. 55018-0002W01

[0283] Substituting the value of cuo in Equation 22.11, where cuo = 2 x it xf and frequency f= c x 2’1where c = ~3.0 x 108m s’1, yields:Ne= (2 x so x mex (2 x it x c x 2’1)2x / ?2 x 7) / e2(Equation 22.34)

[0284] The values so, me, 7t, c, and e are constant. The variables n and I are a function of, inter alia, 2 and can be observed or determined through a theoretical model.

[0285] In some embodiments, the Kerr nonlinear refraction index, m, does not change, e.g., by more than one order of magnitude, over a wide z range from ultraviolet to infrared, according to some studies. Measured values of 112 in units of cm2W’1include 8.0 x 10’19at 248 nm (Couairon etali), 3.2 x 10'19at 800 nm (Couairon et al.), and 5.0 x 10’19at 10600 nm (Pigeon et al.). Method 2200 includes steps executed by Computer 101 assuming / 12 in the ultraviolet band in some embodiments remains within a specified range, e.g., one order of magnitude, of an ti2 estimate at 248 nm, e g., the 8.0 x 10'19cm2W’1estimate at 248 nm, and in other embodiments, increases at least partially above a specified range, e.g., one order of magnitude, of an m estimate at 248 nm, e.g., the 8.0 x 10’19cm2W’1estimate at 248 nm. While Method 2200 in some embodiments includes steps executed by Computer 101 which assume / / 2 in the ultraviolet band (including the band shorter than 248 nm) remains within a specified range, e.g., one order of magnitude, of an ti2 estimate, e.g., the 8.0 x 10'19cm2W’1estimate at 248 nm, Method 2200 in other embodiments includes steps executed by Computer 101 making equivalent computations where 112 in the ultraviolet band at least partially increases above a specified range, e.g., one order of magnitude, of an n2 estimate at 248 nm, e.g., the 8.0 x 10’19cm2W'1at 248 nm estimate.

[0286] The stability of m across a wide 2 range implies stable electron density, Neacross the same 2 range. As noted in the preceding paragraph, measurements of m showed 8.0 x 1019cm2W-1at 248 nm and 3.2 x 10’19cm2W’1at 800 nm. Similarly, measurements of Neshowed "similar peak densities ~1017cm’3" at both 248 nm and 800 nm (Courairon et al ). As Daigle et al. noted: "because the Kerr nonlinear index of refraction for the two wavelengths does not change much, the plasma required to balance any change of the Kerr index should not change much either." Just as Method 2200 in some embodiments includes steps executed by Computer 101 which assume 112 in the ultraviolet band (including wavelengths shorter than 248 nm) remains within a specified range, e.g., one order of magnitude, of an »2 estimate at 248 nm, e.g., the 8.0 x 10’19cm2W’1estimate at 248 nm, Method 2200 in other embodiments includes steps executed by Computer 101 which assume in the same ultraviolet band remains within a specified range, e.g., one order ofAttorney Docket No. 55018-0002W01magnitude, of an Neestimate at 248 nm, e.g., the ~1017cm’3estimate at 248 nm. In other embodiments, Method 2200 includes steps executed by Computer 101 which assume 112 in the ultraviolet band at least partially increases above a specified range, e.g., one order of magnitude, of an m estimate at 248 nm and M in the ultraviolet band at least partially increases above a specified range, e.g., one order of magnitude, of an Neestimate at 248 nm, e.g., the -1017cm’3estimate at 248 nm.

[0287] Given the assumptions of 112 and Nein the ultraviolet band, Method 2200 includes steps using the Equation 22.35 rewritten from Equation 22.34 to compute / clamped as a function of A. / damped = (A'e x e2) / (2 x so x mex (2 x it x c x A’1)2x 112) (Equation 22.35)

[0288] In some embodiments, Neand 112 are stable, e.g., within one order of magnitude, over a A band of interest, e.g., ultraviolet. In other embodiments, Neand 112 varies by more than one order of magnitude over the A band of interest. The values e, eo, me, K, and c are constant. Since an Illustrated Solution in some embodiments aims to determine the set of Candidate Laser Attribute-Values 151, e.g.,, Ep, and / (including / peak), of Laser Pulses yielding at least the necessary plasma density enabling Laser Filaments, an Illustrated Solution limits / to those intensities leading to said plasma density, i.e., / damped. Moreover, an Illustrated Solution in some embodiments focuses on a A band of interest, e.g., ~89 nm to -150 nm.

[0289] Nonlinear refraction index / 12 varies as a function of P 804, which in turn varies with altitude, wind velocity W 802, T 803, and humidity. The varying atmospheric pressure can affect Laser Filament diameter in horizontal and vertical propagation. As altitude increases and P 804 and 112 decrease, the critical power for self-focusing increases which requires increasing Laser Pulse peak power (Liu et al., 2014). The clamping of Laser Filament intensity (discussed in the next several paragraphs) at sea level implies a larger Laser Filament diameter to support the increasing Laser Pulse peak power.

[0290] When plasma density increases until A + Enp= 0 in Equation 22.32, Kerr self-focusing balances plasma defocusing and the index of refraction n equals??o. At this point, / inside the Laser Filament is at a maximum, a condition known as intensity clamping. Increasing Laser Pulse power above the critical power P for Kerr self-focusing will lead to saturation of / peak and clamping of intensity inside the Laser Filament or / damped (with / peak exceeding / damped in some embodiments as noted earlier (Kiran et al.)).Attorney Docket No. 55018-0002W01

[0291] / damped varies as a function of some Laser Pulse Attributes and environment including: (a) 2, where mean / damped in Laser Pulses in the ultraviolet band in some embodiments is: " 1-2 orders of magnitude less than that for IR filaments" (Couairon et al., and (b) Laser Pulse external focusing caused by differences in e.g., Xue et al. noted: "under a tight focus of / L = 10 cm, the plasma density reaches 1018cm'3, which is almost three orders of magnitude higher than that when / L = 34 m"; the higher Nsassociated with shorter / L also is associated with higher clamping intensity; Focal Length Modulator 1025 modulates / , of one or more lenses, including Lens 1007.Daigle et al. observed: "using laser pulses with more energetic photons reduce[s] this [ damped] threshold and increase the ionization efficiency of the laser pulse. Indeed, at the same intensity the ionization probability of a medium is enhanced significantly as the wavelength decreases, thus increasing the probability of plasma filaments' formation."

[0292] / damped does not vary as a function of other Laser Pulse Attributes and environment including: (a) £p, while increasing Ep generally increases / until I reaches / damped, once clamping of I occurs, damped does not generally vary with Ep and (b) P 804 in the case of Laser Pulse selffocusing, i.e., once fllamentation occurs, / damped does not generally vary with P 804. While / damped limits the effect of increasing Ep on I inside a Laser Filament, any increasing Ep forms and sustains an energy reservoir surrounding the Laser Filament (" Energy Reservoir" defined later in this section). The exchange of energy between the Energy Reservoir and Laser Filament enables longer Laser Filament propagation.

[0293] In some embodiments, Computer 101 configured by the disclosed systems and executing Method 2200 determines the set of Candidate Laser Attribute-Values 151, e.g., A, Ep, and / (including / peak), of Laser Pulses yielding at least the necessary plasma density enabling Laser Filaments by computing for each z and T 803 the value of I (includingpeak) which combined with 2 generates the Ac at which Kerr self-focusing balances plasma defocusing. As noted in Equation 10.1 through Equation 10.4, Laser 222 modulates / peak of a Laser Pulse by modulating Ep. In some embodiments, Computer 101 configured by the disclosed systems and executing Method 2200 determines at least the minimal Ep necessary to achieve peak yielding at least the necessary plasma density enabling Laser Filaments (" Minimal Necessary Lp") to avoid using more energy. In other embodiments, Computer 101 configured by the disclosed systems and executing Method 2200 determines Ep which exceeds Minimal Necessary Ep depending on any incremental AHG photodissociation from longer Laser Filament propagation relative to incremental Ep.Attorney Docket No. 55018-0002W01

[0294] Candidate Laser Attribute-Values 151, e.g., 2, Ep, and J (including / peak), of Laser Pulses yielding at least the necessary plasma density enabling Laser Filaments is one constraint in solving either Method 2200 O2 Photodissociation / N2 Photodissociation Constrained Optimization problem or Method 2200 O2 Photodissociation / N2 Photoionization Constrained Optimization problem. In some embodiments, Method 2200 includes steps executed by Computer 101 to generate Method 2200 Constraint: Plasma Density as a Laser Pulse yielding a value of A2 as a function of Candidate Laser Attribute-Values 151, e.g., 2, Ep, and I (including / peak) in Equation 22.12. Since I (including / peak) is a function of Ep as described in Equation 10.5, Algorithm 121 includes steps computing the Ep necessary to generate the I (including / peak) for Laser 222 to produce a Laser Pulse yielding the at least the necessary value of Ne(" Minimal Ep"). Because of intensity clamping, any increase in Ep above Minimal Ep contributes to the Energy Reservoir surrounding a Laser Filament.

[0295] Method 2200 includes steps executed by Computer 101 specifying how Algorithm 121 uses an example equation to compute the necessary plasma density to generate Laser Filaments.

[0296] In some embodiments, Method 2200 Constraint: Plasma Density is an equality constraint in the form of a multivariable function equaling a constant:(2x so x mex (2 x it x ex 2’1)2x 112 x / damped) I e2= Ne(Equation 22.36)

[0297] Since so, me, it, c, and e are constants and m is stable across a wide 2 range, N in Equation 22.36 is a function of two variables: 2 and / , where I is / damped. In these embodiments, equals the plasma density required for each combination of 2 and / damped in a 2 range of interest, e.g., ~89 nm to -150 nm, at which Kerr self-focusing balances plasma defocusing. For example, in Table 2200 J and Chart 2200K, the value of / for each A is Laser Pulse intensity producing the necessary plasma density to generate Laser Filaments, i.e., / damped. While Equation 22.36 represents an equality constraint in the form of two variables, Method 2200 is not limited to those embodiments and can include an equality constraint in the form of a function of one or more variables. Because £0, me, it, c, and e are constant and well-known and assuming H2 equals LOE-18 cm2W’1in the 2 range of interest, e.g., -89 nm to -150 nm, this disclosure in some embodiments combines said terms, rewrites Equation 22.36, and defines Method 2200 Constraint: Plasma Density:-2.2327E-05 x 2'2x / damped = Ne(Equation 22.37) where the constant left-hand (" LH") term is in example units of cm W’1. This disclosure adjusts the constant LH term in Equation 22.37 to reflect a different 112 in the 2 range of interest.Attorney Docket No. 55018-0002W01

[0298] In other embodiments, Method 2200 Constraint: Plasma Density is an inequality constraint in the form of a multivariable function equaling at least a constant:(2 x so x mex (2 x 7t x c x A-1)2x m x / damped) / e2> TVe (Equation 22.38)

[0299] Since so, me, 7t, c, and e are constants and 112 is stable across a wide 2 range, Nein Equation 22.38 is a function of two variables: 2 and I, where I is damped. In these embodiments, equals at least the plasma density required for each combination of 2 and / damped in a z range of interest, e.g., ~89 nm to -150 nm, at which Kerr self-focusing balances plasma defocusing. At those combinations of 2 and / damped where Laser Pulse power is above Per in Equation 22.31, the incremental Laser Pulse power contributes to the Energy Reservoir surrounding a Laser Filament. While Equation 22.38 represents an inequality constraint in the form of two variables, Method 2200 is not limited to those embodiments and can include an inequality constraint in the form of a function of one or more variables. Because £0, me, n, c, and e are constant and well-known and assuming m equals LOE-18 cm2W’1in the 2 range of interest, e.g., -89 nm to -150 nm, this disclosure in some embodiments combines said terms, rewrites Equation 22.38, and defines Method 2200 Constraint: Plasma Density:-2.2327E-05 x 2'2x / damped > N (Equation 22.39) where the constant LH term is in example units of cm W’1. This disclosure adjusts the constant LH term in Equation 22.39 to reflect a different 112 in the 2 range of interest.

[0300] In some embodiments, Neis constant over a 2 range of interest, e g., -89 nm to -150 nm, at which Kerr self-focusing balances plasma defocusing. If Nevaries over said 2 range of interest, Method 2200 in some embodiments sets Ne in Equation 22.37 and Equation 22.39 at the highest Ne. Any Neexceeding the plasma density required to generate a Laser Filament contributes to the Energy Reservoir surrounding the Laser Filament.

[0301] Method 2200 O2 Photodissociation / N2 Photodissociation Constrained Optimization problem and Method 2200 O2 Photodissociation / N2 Photoionization Constrained Optimization problem each includes Objective Function 2299 which in some embodiments increases, up to and including a maximum of, the difference between the rate of O2401 photodissociation and the rate of N2402 photodissociation or the difference between the rate O2401 photodissociation and the rate of N2 402 photoionization, respectively. However, the constraint of determining Selected Laser Attribute- Values 161 of Laser Pulses yielding at least the necessary plasma density enabling Laser Filaments depends on the electrons contributed by photoionization of the primaryAttorney Docket No. 55018-0002W01atmospheric constituents: either O2401 or N2402. That is, the equality constraint represented by Equation 22.37 or inequality constraint represented by Equation 22.39 should further equal Neor equal at least respectively, where TVe equals:Ne= Ns(from O2 photoionization) + Ne(from N2 photoionization) (Equation 22.40) Ne> N (from O2 photoionization) + Ne(from N2 photoionization) (Equation 22.41)

[0302] While Equation 22.40 and Equation 22.41 each represents a constraint where Neequals or equals at least, respectively, the sum of Nefrom O2 401 photoionization and Nefrom N2 402 photoionization, they are not limited to those embodiments and can include a constraint represented by the sum of Ne from photoionization of O2401, N2402, and any other gas in the atmosphere. While O2401 and N2402 together account for -99 percent of the mole fraction of dry air, other gases in the atmosphere include argon, CO2215, and trace gases, e.g., CH4214.

[0303] In some embodiments, Method 2200 Constraint: Plasma Density is not only an equality constraint equaling a constant as expressed in Equation 22.37 or an inequality constraint equaling at least a constant as expressed in Equation 22.39, but is also an equality constraint equaling a constant or an inequality constraint equaling at least a constant where more Neis generated from O2 401 photoionization than from N2 402 photoionization, which decreases the amount of Incremental O3 precursors, e.g., N+. To increase the production of electrons contributed by photoionization of O2401 and decrease the production of electrons contributed by photoionization of N2402, Method 2200 in some embodiments uses Equation 22.37 and Equation 22.39 to determine Method 2200 Constraint: Plasma Density, which limits Candidate Laser Attribute-Values 151 to those sets of and / damped of Laser Pulses which produce electrons from O2401 photoionization, e.g., products O2+2235 and O++ O 2236. Said O2401 photoionization products have partial absorption cross sections as a function of 2 which are similar over certain 2 bands and different over other A bands. For example, O + O 2236 has a partial absorption cross section which increases from -1.00E-22 cm2molecule'1at ~0.1 nm to a maximum of -6.77E-18 cm2molecule'1at -29.5 nm, while O22235 has a partial absorption cross section which increases from -1.00E-22 cm2molecule'1at -0.1 nm to a maximum of -2.87E-17 cm2molecule'1at -64.7 nm. However, unlike O++ O 2236 which has a positive partial absorption cross section at a maximum 2 of -58.4 nm, O2 2235 continues to have a positive partial absorption cross section until a maximum z of -176.0 nm with a partial absorption cross section in the E-17 cm2molecule'1range as long as -97.3 nm. Specifically, Method 2200 in some embodiments uses Equation 22.37 andAttorney Docket No. 55018-0002W01Equation 22.39 to determine Method 2200 Constraint: Plasma Density where Method 2200 includes steps computing the set of 2 and / damped of Laser Pulses at which O2401 photoionization produces the necessary plasma density to generate Laser Filaments. For example, Method 2200 includes steps computing the set of 2 and / damped of Laser Pulses which photoionize O2 401 to produce C>2+2235 in enough amounts to yield enough plasma density (along with electrons from any other photoionization products) to generate Laser Filaments.

[0304] Method 2200 includes steps which: (a) in some embodiments, limit the set of Candidate Laser Attribute-Values 151 to: (i) those wavelengths over which O2401 photoionization products, e.g., products C>2+2235 and O++ O 2236, have a positive partial absorption cross section; and (ii) whose Laser Pulses yield Nesatisfying Equation 22.40 or Equation 22.41 (depending on whether the Constrained Optimization problem includes an equality constraint or an inequality constraint, respectively); (b) in other embodiments, further limit the set of Candidate Laser Attribute- Values 151 to: (i) those wavelengths over which O2401 photoionization products, e.g., products O2+2235 and O++ O 2236, have a positive partial absorption cross section; (ii) whose Laser Pulses yield Nesatisfying Equation 22.40 or Equation 22.41; and (iii) those wavelengths over which O2 401 photodissociation products, e.g., products O(3P) + O(3P) 2231, O(3P) + O('D) 2232, O('D) + O('D) 2233, and O(1D) + O(1S) 2234, have a positive partial absorption cross section; and (c) in other embodiments, even further limit the set of Candidate Laser Attribute- Values 151 to those wavelengths over which N2402 photoionization products, e.g., N2+2241 and N + N+2242, if any, lead to production of Incremental O3 precursors, e.g., N-, below a specified threshold (including zero production); i.e., even though Method 2200 includes steps which preferentially photoionize O2401 over N2402, Method 2200 includes steps which photoionize N2402 at wavelengths that increase Objective Function 2299 as long as N2 402 photoionization products do not lead to production of Incremental O3 precursors above a specified threshold. In the immediately preceding (c), while Method 2200 in other embodiments includes steps limiting the set of Candidate Laser Attribute- Values 151 to those wavelengths over which N2402 photoionization products lead to production of Incremental O3 precursors, i.e., wavelengths over which said products have a positive partial absorption cross section, Method 2200 includes steps limiting the set of Candidate Laser Attribute- Values 151 also to those wavelengths over which there are no N2 402 photoionization products, i.e., wavelengths over which N2 402 has zero positive partialAttorney Docket No. 55018-0002W01absorption cross section and therefore their non-production of Incremental O3 precursors tGasScattering≈ λ-4lls below a specified threshold.

[0305] FIG. 33A is a chart, Chart 22011, illustrating example relationships in an Illustrated Solution between: (a) 2 x / clamped; and (b) one example embodiment of Objective Function 2299, the difference between O2 401 photodissociation and N2 402 SPI photoionization, subject to a plasma density constraint. Objective Function 2299 in FIG. 32 is a surtGasScattering≈ λ-4ce representing its value for each combination of all 2 and / damped within the z of interest. In contrast, Objective Function 2299 in FIG. 33A is a surtGasScattering≈ λ-4ce representing its value for each 2 within the A of interest and its associated unique / damped. That is, at any given set of A, m, and Ns, there is a unique / damped. To illustrate more sharply how each value of Objective Function 2299 associated with each set of 2 and / damped, Line 2270 shows said relationship. While Line 2270 is linear between each set of 2 and / damped enumerated in FIG. 33A, e.g., from 140.0 nm and 9.3E+11 W cm'2to 150.0 nm and 10.7E+11 W cm'2, Line 2270 should appear more continuous with smaller differences in 2 and / clamped than those enumerated in FIG. 33A.

[0306] As 2 decreases, / damped generally decreases. However, there are exceptions to decreasing / clamped as a function of 2 depending on the O2 401 partial absorption cross sections and O2 401 quantum yields. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 29, the partial absorption cross section of the O(3P) + Of1D) 2232 product displays sharp and nonlinear increases and decreases over narrow wavelengths. FIG. 33B illustrates in Chart 22012 a different view in the form of columns of the same example relationship in an Illustrated Solution in FIG. 33A. The noncontinuous and nonlinear relationships between 2 and cross sections or quantum yields of gases, in general, and O2 401 and N2402, in particular, mean simply increasing both 2 and / damped may not necessarily increase Objective Function 2299. Counterintuitively, a lower value of both 2 and / damped may yield a higher Objective Function 2299 than a higher value of both 2 and / damped, e.g., the increase in Objective Function 2299 (illustrated by Line 2270) when decreasing 2 from 150.0 nm to 140.0 nm and / damped from 10.7E+11 W cm'2to 9.3E+11 W cm'2.

[0307] While this disclosure describes an example set of computations in an Illustrated Solution solving Method 2200 O2 Photodissociation / N2 Photoionization Constrained Optimization problem in the case of N2402 SPI, it is not limited to that embodiment and can include solving a Constrained Optimization problem of: (a) any Objective Function 2299 Embodiments; (b) anyAttorney Docket No. 55018-0002W01class of photoionization; and (c) any other process of yielding at least the necessary plasma density enabling Laser Filaments.

[0308] In some embodiments, Algorithm 121 includes steps computing not only the difference between the rate of O2401 photodissociation and the rate of N2402 photoionization, but also the difference between the rate of O2 401 photodissociation and the rate of any other method of increasing plasma density. For example, Laser Pulses generating Laser Filaments can produce particle collision of negative ions with other particles leading to detachment of electrons.

[0309] In some embodiments, Method 2200 includes steps when executed by Computer 101 and Laser 222 which increase plasma density at which Δnkr+ Δnp= 0 and where the difference in electrons yielded from O2401 photoionization and electrons yielded from N2402 photoionization is at least as great as what occurs naturally or observed by Couairon et al. (" O2 N2 Electron Difference Baseline"). Method 2200 includes steps when executed by Computer 101 which determines the Selected Laser Attribute- Values 161, e.g., A, £p, and I (including / peak), of Laser Pulses producing at least sufficient electrons for increasing plasma density at which Δnkr+ Δnp= 0 subject to the O2 N2 Electron Difference Baseline constraint.

[0310] In other embodiments, Method 2200 includes steps when executed by Computer 101 and Laser 222 which increase plasma density at which Δnkr+ Δnp= 0 and where the difference in electrons yielded from O2401 photoionization and electrons yielded from N2402 photoionization is less than what occurs naturally or observed by Couairon et al. Method 2200 includes steps when executed by Computer 101 which determines the Selected Laser Attribute- Values 161, e g., A, Ep, and I (including peak), of Laser Pulses producing at least sufficient electrons for increasing plasma density at which Δnkr+ Δnp= 0 not subject to the O2 N2 Electron Difference Baseline constraint.

[0311] In some embodiments, Method 2200 includes steps when executed by Computer 101 and Laser 222 which increase Ep beyond the level at which / clamps, i.e., to at least a level required to support an Energy Reservoir. An Energy Reservoir enables: (a) formation of a Laser Filament through exchange of energy between the Laser Filament and outer background; (b) sustaining of Laser Filament propagation through similar energy exchange; and (c) continued propagation of Laser Filament after collision with gases and aerosols, e.g., H2O 213. The Energy Reservoir has a larger diameter than the diameter of the Laser Filament and carries more of the total energy of the entire laser beam comprising both the Laser Filament and the Energy Reservoir (collectively, " Laser Beam"). In one study, "the filament [initially] carries some 35% of the total energy. 1 mAttorney Docket No. 55018-0002W01further this fraction drops to -13%. The surrounding "photon bath" (about 2 mm in diameter) accordingly gains energy with propagation and acts as an energy reservoir that is in dynamic balance with the filament." (Courvoisier et al). If Ep in the Energy Reservoir decreases below a specified threshold to maintain the balance between self-focusing and defocusing, the Laser Filament diverges and terminates.

[0312] Gases and aerosols in the atmosphere, in particular, the atmosphere immediately above Water Body 201, e.g., a wetland emitting CH4214, can interact with Laser Filaments and affect their propagation. [H2O] 213, in particular, above Water Body 201 is relevant given its size relative to Laser Filament diameter and its role in combining with O(1D) to produce *OH in Reaction 2104. H2O 213 droplets up to 95 pm can block much of a Laser Filament with, e.g., 150 pm diameter. Yet a Laser Filament can continue to propagate due to exchange of energy from the Energy Reservoir (Courvoisier el al).

[0313] Method 2200 includes steps executed by Computer 101 which characterize Laser Beam propagation as a function of: (a) Laser Pulse Attributes, e.g., 2, Ep, and I (including / peak), of Laser Pulses not only yielding the necessary plasma density enabling Laser Filaments, but also producing the Ep to support an Energy Reservoir; (b) [gas] and aerosol), especially [H2O] 213, in the path of interest; (c) diameter of one or more gases and aerosols of interest; and (d) Path Length 11814.

[0314] This disclosure includes in Method 2200C 1: (a) some embodiments of constraints for Laser Pulses which yield the necessary plasma density enabling Laser Filaments, e g., as represented in Equation 22.37 or Equation 22.39 depending on the embodiments; and (b) other embodiments of constraints which produce the Ep to support an Energy Reservoir, e.g., as represented in Equation 22.45 or Equation 22.47 depending on the embodiments. FIG. 34 illustrates in Flow Diagram 22013 some embodiments of Method 2200, e.g., Method 2200C1, including steps executed by Computer 101 determining a constraint for producing at least the Ep to support an Energy Reservoir, including:

[0315] At Step 2271, measure or use estimate of the Ep of a freely propagating Laser Beam ("£p(Free)"), i.e., a Laser Beam propagating in an environment without gases or aerosols absorbing or scattering it. For example, an ultrashort Laser Pulse with 7 mJ Ep, 120 fs Dp, and 2 = 810 nm has an Ep(Free) = 2.7 mJ at propagation distance d= 1 m, which decreases to £p(Free) = 0.25 mJ at propagation distance d= 3 m (Courvoisier etal.). Method 2200C1 measures or uses an estimate Ep(Free) with Candidate Laser-Attribute Values 151 within the z, Ep, and / range of interest.Attorney Docket No. 55018-0002W01

[0316] At Step 2272, measure one or more attributes which can decrease p in a Laser Beam of the path of interest, including: (a) [gasi] in the path of interest; (b) [aerosol] in the path of interest; (c) diameter of one or more gases of interest, Diameterfgas,) in the path of interest; (d) diameter of one or more aerosols of interest, Diameterfc / c / vzso / ,) in the path of interest; and (e) Path Length / 1814 or the length of a path of interest over which this disclosure aims to decrease the production or concentration of one or more AHGs, e.g., the distance between a Laser 222 and the edge of a wetland emitting CH4 214. Diameter(gasi) is relevant, especially in the lower troposphere, in particular, the atmosphere immediately above Water Body 201, e.g., a wetland, where radiation scattering occurs with gases and aerosols whose diameters are sufficiently large relative to the radiation wavelength, a phenomenon known as Mie scattering. Moreover, Laser 222 producing Laser Pulses in the UV band increases the probability of a gas and aerosol diameter being sufficiently large to increase Ep(Loss). In an Illustrated Solution, Method 2200C1 measures [H2O] 213 and Diameter(H2O).

[0317] At Step 2273, compute Ep(Loss) as a function of [gas of interest, [aerosol of interest, Diameter(gas' of interest, Diameterffic / vzso / of interest, and Path Length 11814. The larger [gas of interest} and [aerosol of interest} relative to the concentrations of gases and aerosols which can decrease Ep(Loss), the higher the probability of collision between a Laser Filament and the gas of interest and aerosol of interest, respectively. The larger Diameterfgas of interest) and DiameterL / c / vzw / of interest) relative to Laser Pulse wavelength, the higher the probability of collision between a Laser Filament and the gas of interest and aerosol of interest, respectively. The longer Path Length / 1814, the higher the Ep(Loss). In some embodiments, Method 2200C1 includes steps using Equation 22.42 to compute Ep(Loss) for a gas of interest or an aerosol of interest:Ep(Loss) = (Ep(Free)) x ((a x ([gas of interest} / [gas,])) x (b x ([aerosol of interest} I " [aerosolf)} x (c x (Diameter(gas of interest) / Laser Pulse λ)) x (d x (Diameter(aerosol of interest) I Laser Pulse A)) x (e x I)) (Equation 22.42) where Method 2200C1 computes Ep(Free) at Step 2271; a is a coefficient reflecting the relationship between [gas of interest} and Ep(Loss) in example units of cm3molecule-1; b is a coefficient reflecting the relationship between [aerosol of interest] and Ep(Loss) in example units of cm3molecule-1; c is a coefficient reflecting the relationship between the ratio of Diameter(gas of interest) to λ(Laser Pulse) and Ep(Loss) in dimensionless units; d is a coefficient reflecting theAttorney Docket No. 55018-0002W01relationship between the ratio of Diameter(aerosol of interest) to λ(Laser Pulse) and Ep(Loss) in dimensionless units; [gas of interest] is in example units of molecule cm"3; [aerosol of interest] is in example units of molecule cm"3; e is a coefficient reflecting the relationship between Path Length 11814 and Ep(Loss) in example units of m"1; i in the RH summation terms is the initial gas of interest or initial aerosol of interest, respectively; n in the RH summation terms is the number of gases of interest or aerosols of interest which can increase Ep(Loss), respectively; and a, b, c, d, and e can be measured. While Equation 22.42 represents Ep(Loss) due to a single gas of interest or a single aerosol of interest, it is not limited to that embodiment and can represent Ep(Loss) due to a plurality of gases of interest or a plurality of aerosols of interest by adjusting the RH terms to account for said plurality. While Equation 22.42 represents Ep(Loss) as a function of [gas of interest], [aerosol of interest], Diameter(gas of interest), Diameter(aerosol of interest), and Path Length / 1814, it is not limited to that embodiment and can represent Ep(Loss) as a function of any attribute of one or more gases and one or more aerosols which affect Ep(Loss). The product of second through fifth RH terms can exceed 100%, e.g., when Diameter(gas of interest) exceeds Laser Pulse 2, which means Ep(Loss) can exceed Ep(Free).

[0318] At Step 2274, compute ^(Lossless) using Equation 22.43:Ep(Lossless) = Lp(Free) + L’p(Loss) (Equation 22.43) where EP(Lossless) is the EPat which Laser 222 produces Laser Pulses not only yielding the necessary plasma density enabling Laser Filaments, but also producing the Ep to support an Energy Reservoir, after accounting for expected Ep(Loss) over the Path Length / 1814 or the length of a path of interest over which this disclosure aims to decrease the production or concentration of one or more AHGs

[0319] At Step 2275, define in some embodiments Method 2200 Constraint: Plasma Density (which differs from Equation 22.36 through Equation 22.39 by producing a Laser Pulse that supports an Energy Reservoir as well as yields the necessary plasma density enabling Laser Filaments) as either:(a) an equality constraint in the form of a multivariable function equaling a constant:Ep(Lossless) - Ep(Loss) = Ep(Free) (Equation 22.44) Ep(Lossless) - ((Ep(Free)) x ((a x ([gas of interest] / ∑ᵢⁿ[gasᵢ])) x (b x ([aerosol of interest] I ffl [aerosol )) x (c x (Diameter(gay of interest) / Laser Pulse / .)) x (d x (Diameter(o?mw / ofAttorney Docket No. 55018-0002W01interest) / Laser Pulse z)) x (e x ((((ln( / i / / threshoid(photo))) / m(air)) - (^scattering + tAerosolAbsorption+ tAerosolScattering)) / ((-1) X O'Gas Ab sorption [gas])))) = EP(Free) (Equation 22.45) where Method 2200C1 substitutes the seventh LH term in Equation 22.45 with Equation 19.15 for Path Length I 1814 in the sixth RH term in Equation 22.42. After entering measured or theoretically computed values in variables Ep(Free), a, [gas of interest, b, [aerosol of interest], c, Diameterfgas of interest, d, Diameter(atroso / of interest), e, / threshoid(photo), m(air), tGasScattering, GerosolAbsorption, tAerosolScattering, and GasAb sorption in the LH terms, Equation 22.45 is a function of Laser Pulse 2, ^(Lossless), and h (which is the incident intensity of Laser Pulse). Method 2200C1 includes steps solving Equation 22.45 to determine the set of Candidate Laser Attribute- Values 151 satisfying the equality constraint.(b) an inequality constraint in the form of a multivariable function equaling at least a constant: Ep(Lossless) - EP(Loss) > Ep(Free) (Equation 22.46) Ep(Lossless) - ( Ep(Free)) x (tGasScattering≈ λ-4x [gas of interest] / ” [ a-S'i])) x (b x ([aerosol of interest] I [aero5o / i])) x (c x (Diameter(gas of interest) / Laser Pulse λ)) x (d x (Diameter(aerosol of interest) / Laser Pulse λ)) x (e x ((((ln(7i / Zthreshoid(photo))) / m(air)) - (^Scattering + tAerosolAbsorption+ tAerosolScattering)) / ((”1) X σGasAbsorptionx [gas])))) > Ap(Free) (Equation 22.47) where Method 2200C1 substitutes the seventh LH term in Equation 22.47 with Equation 19.15 for Path Length / 1814 in the sixth RH term in Equation 22.42. After entering measured or theoretically computed values in variables Ep(Free), a, [gas of interest], b, [aerosol of interest], c, Diameter(gas of interest), d, Diameter(aero.so / of interest), e, Zthreshoid(photo), m(air), tGasScattering, tAerosolAbsorption, tAerosolScattering, and σGasAbsorptionin the LH terms, Equation 22.47 is a function of Laser Pulse A, Ep(Lossless), and I\ (which is the incident intensity of Laser Pulse). Method 2200C1 includes steps solving Equation 22.47 to determine the set of Candidate Laser Attribute- Values 151 satisfying the inequality constraint.Method 2200: Method 2200 Constraint: Gas

[0320] In some embodiments, Objective Function 2299 already aims to decrease production of a gas of interest, e.g., Incremental O3, by increasing the difference between production of a first gas of interest, e g., a precursor like O('D) leading to *OH oxidizing CH4214, and production of a second gas of interest, e.g., a precursor like N+leading to production of Incremental O3. Method 2200 Constraint: Gas in which the gas is Incremental O3 includes steps determining a constraint limiting Incremental O3 production to a level such that total [O3] in a volume of interest satisfies aAttorney Docket No. 55018-0002W01specified threshold, e.g., an WHO AQG or EPA NAAQS. While Method 2200 Constraint: Gas in which the gas is Incremental O3 includes steps determining a constraint limiting Incremental O3 production, it is not limited to that embodiment and can determine a constraint limiting production of any gas of interest, e.g., NOXand CO.

[0321] One reaction pathway from N2402 photoionization to Incremental O3 production includes Reaction 2111, Reaction 2143, Reaction 2113, Reaction 2114, and Reaction 2102. Replacing Reaction 2143 with Reaction 2142 requires one more step to produce NO22021 or NO22031, each of which is the immediate precursor to production of Incremental O3 in Reaction 2102. NO2 2021 / 2031 photodissociates in Reaction 2114 with varying cross sections across wavelengths between ~270 nm and ~600 nm and with almost 100% quantum yield below ~397.8 nm. While NO22021 / 2031 photodissociation occurs at wavelengths longer than the candidate wavelengths in an Illustrated Solution, this disclosure is not limited to said shorter candidate wavelengths and can include Candidate Laser Attribute- Values 151 with wavelengths coinciding with the wavelengths at which NO22021 / 2031 photodissociation occurs.

[0322] An objective of Method 2200 is to determine the set of Candidate Laser Attribute- Values 151, e.g., A, Ep, and I (including / peak), of Laser Pulses which increase Objective Function 2299 subject to said Laser Pulses producing no more than a threshold volume of a gas of interest like Incremental O3 or a precursor to said gas of interest like NO22021 / 2031 in Reaction 2114, which in turn depends on the amount of N+produced from N2402 photodissociation and photoionization. Method 2200 includes steps executed by Computer 101 specifying how Algorithm 121 uses an example equation representing Method 2200 Constraint: Gas to compute Candidate Laser Attribute-Values 151 as follows.

[0323] In some embodiments, Algorithm 121 includes steps computing the rate of photodissociation and photoionization and the rate of reactions of precursors to the production of Incremental O3 such that Incremental O3 production when added to the volume of ambient O3 satisfies a specified threshold, e.g., a WHO AQG or EPA NAAQS. In the case of ambient O3 equaling zero in a volume of interest, the maximum amount of Incremental O3 which this disclosure can produce equals the amount of the specified threshold. In the case of ambient O already equaling the amount of the specified threshold in a volume of interest, the amount of Incremental O3 which this disclosure can produce equals zero.Attorney Docket No. 55018-0002W01

[0324] To illustrate the formulation of Method 2200 Constraint: Gas in which the gas is Incremental O3, this disclosure shows in an Illustrated Solution Method 2200 including steps computing the rate of one reaction pathway from N2402 photodissociation and photoionization to production of Incremental O3, specifically Reaction 2111, Reaction 2142, Reaction 22.7, Reaction 22.8 (described below), Reaction 2114, and Reaction 2102 (" Incremental O3 Production Rate"), because said reaction pathway has the highest branching ratio (-51% (Dotan et al.) from N2402 photodissociation and photoionization in Reaction 2111. While Method 2200 Constraint: Gas in which the gas is Incremental O3 focuses on said reaction pathway including Reaction 2142, it is not limited to that embodiment and can compute the Incremental O3 Production Rate of other reaction pathways from N2 402 photodissociation and photoionization to production of Incremental O3, including a reaction pathway with Reaction 2143. An Illustrated Solution in some embodiments includes the following example reaction pathway (" Incremental O3 Production Reaction Pathway"):N2+ hν → 2N++ 2e (Reaction 2111) N++ O2→ N + O2+(Reaction 2142) N + O2→ NO + O (Reaction 22.7) NO + O → NO2(Reaction 22.8) NO2 + hv NO + O(3P) (-320 nm <2 < -410 nm) (Reaction 2114) O(3P) + O2→ O3(Reaction 2102)

[0325] In some embodiments, an objective of Method 2200 is to compute the maximum production rate of a gas of interest, e.g., Incremental O3 Production Rate for Incremental O3, which still satisfies a specified threshold, e.g., a WHO AQG or EPA NAAQS. FIG. 35 illustrates in Flow Diagram 22014 some embodiments of Method 2200, e.g., Method 2200C2, including steps executed by Computer 101 determining a constraint of producing no more than a specified production or concentration of a gas of interest, including:

[0326] At Step 2281, compute the difference between: (a) a specified concentration of a gas of interest, e.g., a specified [O3] threshold like a WHO AQG or EPA NAAQS; and (b) ambient concentration of said gas of interest, e.g., Ambient [O3]. The difference represents the maximum production of Incremental O3 which added to Ambient [O3] equals a specified [O3] threshold. The difference varies with ambient concentration of said gas of interest, which in turn can vary with tGasScattering≈ λ-4ctors including, e g., time of day, cloud cover, T 803, and P 804. For example, Ambient [O3] inAttorney Docket No. 55018-0002W01a volume of interest can vary depending on the time of day and day of the week when vehicle NOX(an O3 precursor) emissions are higher or lower, the time of day depending on cloud cover when solar irradiance photodissociates NO2 in Reaction 2114, and the T 803 and P 804 in the volume of interest which affects 0N02, T. P) and NO2(, / ’) in Reaction 2114.

[0327] At Step 2282, compute by using Equation 22.48 the amount of a gas of interest, e.g., Incremental O3, produced in a final reaction, e.g., Reaction 2102, resulting from the amount of a precursor gas of interest, e.g., N+, produced in an initial reaction through a reaction pathway, e.g., Incremental O3 Production Reaction Pathway:(Q of gas (g) produced in final reaction) = (Q of gas (g) produced in initial reaction) x ((1 mol of gas produced in initial reaction) / (molar mass of gas (g) produced in initial reaction)) x / 1-TH / Q of gas produced in (f)th reactionzz.P,,.,. ~, •, / z,, (1=9( — — - - — ■ — - — — - )) x ((molar mass ot gas (g) produced in tinal reaction) / (1 mol 'ZO of gas producedin (i-f)th reaction'7r z \ of gas produced in final reaction)) (Equation 22.48) where Q is the quantity of the gas produced in a reaction (including photodissociation, photoionization, and chemical) which can be expressed in any units, including grams (g), molecules, and moles (mol); Q in the LH term in Equation 22.48 is expressed in example units of g; Q in the first RH term in Equation 22.48 is expressed in example units of g; the second RH term in Equation 22.48 is the molar mass of the gas produced in the initial reaction; the last RH term in Equation 22.48 is the molar mass of the gas produced in the final reaction; Q in the n-ary product,, RH term is expressed in example units of moles; z in the n-ary product, n, RH term is the next reaction in Incremental O3 Production Reaction Pathway; z-1 in the n-ary product, ]”[, RH term is the immediately preceding reaction in Incremental O3 Production Reaction Pathway; zz in the n-ary product, f[, RH term is the number of reactions in Incremental O3 Production Reaction Pathway; and the ratio in the n-ary product, n, RH term is the mole ratio of the gas in the numerator to the gas in the denominator and is expressed in example units of moles. Computing the Q of gas produced in the final reaction, e.g., Incremental O3, enables the computation of a Q of a precursor gas produced in the initial reaction, e.g., N+(in the case of an equality constraint) or a maximum Q of a precursor gas produced in the initial reaction, e.g., N+(in the case of an inequality constraint).(a) For Reaction 2111, Reaction 2114, and any reaction involving photodissociation, Method 2200C2 includes steps using the following general equation to compute the photodissociation rate:Attorney Docket No. 55018-0002W01J(gas') = - (1(A) x ogas(A, T, P) x < Pgas(A, T) xdA x dTx dP) (Equation 22.49)

[0328] However, because Laser 222 produces a Laser Pulse at a specific A instead of over a range from Ai to A and assuming Laser 222 produces a Laser Pulse along a path with constant T 803 and P 804, this disclosure in some embodiments rewrites Equation 22.49 as:J (gas) = - (1(A) x agas(A x < Pgas(A) x dA) (Equation 22.50) and computes for N2 402 in Reaction 2111, NO2 2021 / 2031 in Reaction 2114, and any gas photodissociated in any other reaction its respective photodissociation rate, J (gas), given the cross section and quantum yield each as a function of A. The product J (gas) equals the negative of the RH terms in Equation 22.49 because of the photodissociation. When determining the Q of product(s) from the photodissociation of a gas of interest, the Q is positive. The Q of product(s) from said photodissociation equals the product of: (i) J (gas) (expressed in example units of # s'1) and (ii) its duration (computed in Step 2283) (expressed in example units of s).(b) For Reaction 2142, Reaction 22.7, Reaction 22.8, Reaction 2102, and any other reaction of a plurality of gases of interest, Method 2200C2 includes steps using Equation 22.51 through Equation 22.53 to compute the Q of product from each reaction based on the stoichiometric coefficients:(Q of product)(mol) = (Q of reactant)(mol) x ((moles of product) / (moles of reactant))(Equation 22.51) (mass of product)(g) = (Q of product)(mol) x (molar mass of product)(g / mol)(Equation 22.52)

[0329] Depending on the yield for each reaction, the mass of product equals:(mass of product) = (theoretical mass) x (yield) (Equation 22.53)

[0330] At Step 2283, compute the duration of a reaction pathway for a gas of interest, e.g., Incremental O3 Production Reaction Pathway, comprising the sum of the duration for each reaction in said reaction pathway. Method 2200C2 includes steps using Equation 22.54 to compute said sum:. „ > >,,0 of gas dissociated in (f)th dissociation,. (Duration of Reaction Pathway) = ( =n / (^2^ - - — - ) ) +J (gas dissociated)X) of gas producedin (j)th reaction..z_,. > _ > (Z7-??i( a - - )) (Equation 22.54)Rate ([reactantfs)]) V U 7 where D) is the initial reaction involving photodissociation; / / in the first summation RH term is the total number of reactions involving photodissociation; 7?1 is the initial reaction involving aAttorney Docket No. 55018-0002W01plurality of gas concentrations; n in the second summation RH term is the total number of reactions involving a plurality of gas concentrations.(a) For any reaction involving photodissociation, Method 2200C2 includes steps using Equation 22.55 to compute its duration:(duration of gas photodissociated) = (Q of gas photodissociated) / J (gas) (Equation 22.55) where Method 2200C2 includes steps computing the Q of gas photodissociated based on the Q of gas produced in the final reaction of Incremental O3Production Reaction Pathway; and computes J (gas) in Equation 22.49, which Method 2200C2 in some embodiments rewrites as Equation 22.50.(b) For any reaction of a plurality of reactants, Method 2200C2 includes steps using the Equation 22.56 through Equation 22.58 to compute its duration:(duration of reaction) = (Q of gas produced in reaction) / (reaction rate) (Equation 22.56) where Method 2200C2 includes steps computing the Q of gas produced in a reaction based on the Q of gas produced in the final reaction of Incremental O3 Production Reaction Pathway. The general equation for the reaction rate is:(reaction rate) = kA+Bx [A]mx [B]n(Equation 22.57) where the reaction rate is in example units of mol L’1s’1; kA+Bis a reaction rate coefficient with reactants A and B as a function of T 803 in example units of L mol’1s’1; [A] is the molar concentration of gas A in example units of mol L’1; [5] is the molar concentration of gas B in example units of mol L’1; and m and n are exponents describing the effect of [ ] and [B], respectively, on the reaction rate. While Equation 22.56 computes the reaction rate for a reaction of two reactants, A and B, it is not limited to that embodiment and can compute the reaction rate for a reaction of any plurality of reactants. This disclosure uses the well-known Arrhenius equation to compute kk = A x e^((-1) x (Ea / (R x T))) (Equation 22.58) where A is the Arrhenius constant related to the collision frequency and molecule orientation in example units s’1(for 1storder rate constant) and L mol’1s-1(for 2ndorder rate constant); Eais activation energy in example units of J mol’1; R is a universal gas constant equal to -8.31 J K’1mol’1; and T 803 is temperature in example units of Kelvin (K).

[0331] At Step 2284, compute J (gas) in the initial reaction required to produce the Q of gas produced in the final reaction of a reaction pathway, e.g., Incremental O3 Production ReactionAttorney Docket No. 55018-0002W01Pathway. For example, the initial reaction can be N2 402 photodissociation in Reaction 2111, the final reaction can be Incremental O3 production in Reaction 2102, and the Q of gas produced in the final reaction can be the Q or concentration computed in Step 2281.

[0332] At Step 2285, define in some embodiments Method 2200 Constraint: Gas as either:(a) an equality constraint in the form of a multivariable function equaling a constant:(J (gas) in initial reaction) x (Duration of Reaction Pathway) x ((1 mol of gas produced in initial reaction) / (molar mass of gas (g) produced in initial reaction)) x (Illl”z=22(Vn °^sas m^■')t,'’eaction))x((molar mass of gas (g) produced in final reaction) / (1 mol g of gas produced in (i-l)th reaction” °157 1’vof gas produced in final reaction)) = ((specified jqz / .s] produced in final reaction) - (ambient [gas] produced in final reaction)) (Equation 22.59) where J (gas) is a function of any set of Laser Pulse Attributes, e.g., 2 and / (A); and J (gas) in some embodiments is Equation 22.49 or rewritten as Equation 22.50. Method 2200C2 includes steps solving Equation 22.59 to determine the set of Candidate Laser Attribute- Values 151, e.g., 2 and IQ.) mJ (gas), satisfying the equality constraint.(b) an inequality constraint in the form of a multivariable function equaling...

Claims

Attorney Docket No. 55018-0002W01WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. A method, comprising:measuring a composition of atmospheric gases in a volume of interest;selecting, based on the measured composition of atmospheric gases, at least one laser pulse attribute-value that would cause a laser pulse to change a concentration of a gas of interest in the volume of interest if the atmospheric gases in the volume of interest were exposed to the laser pulse; andproducing a laser pulse with the at least one laser pulse attribute-value.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:detecting a change in the composition of atmospheric gases in the volume of interest; and adapting, based on the detected change in atmospheric gas composition in the volume of interest, the at least one laser pulse attribute-value to change the concentration of the gas of interest in the volume of interest.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein photodissociation or photoionization of the gas of interest or a precursor gas of interest causes the change in concentration of the gas of interest in the volume of interest.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the precursor gas of interest is H2O, and wherein photodissociation of H2O yields at least one 'OH in the volume of interest comprising at least one CH4 molecule.

5. The method of claim 3, wherein the change in concentration of the gas of interest results from preferential photodissociation or photoionization of a first gas of interest over a second gas of interest in the volume of interest.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the first gas of interest is O2 and the second gas of interest is N2.Attorney Docket No. 55018-0002W017. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one selected laser pulse attribute-value comprises a laser pulse-attribute value in an energy domain and is selected from the group consisting of a wavelength of the laser pulse, a pulse energy of the laser pulse, and an intensity of the laser pulse.

8. The method of claim 7, comprising selecting at least one of the wavelength of the laser pulse and the intensity of the laser pulse based on a cross-section of the gas of interest within the volume of interest to change the concentration of the gas of interest.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one selected laser pulse attribute-value comprises a laser pulse attribute-value in a temporal domain.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein at least one selected laser pulse attribute-value comprises a laser pulse attribute-value in a spatial domain.

11. The method of claim 1, comprising selecting the at least one laser pulse attribute-value subject to a plasma density constraint in the volume of interest.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the plasma density constraint represents a set of conditions under which a laser pulse is produced with sufficient pulse energy to support a laser filament energy reservoir.

13. The method of claim 1, comprising selecting the at least one laser pulse-attribute to cause the laser pulse to change a concentration of a first gas of interest subject to a constraint limiting an increase in concentration of a second gas of interest upon exposure of the second gas of interest to the laser pulse.

14. The method of claim 13, comprising selecting the at least one laser-pulse attribute to cause the laser pulse to decrease a concentration of CT in the volume of interest without increasing a concentration of O3 in the volume of interest.Attorney Docket No. 55018-0002W0115. The method of claim 1, comprising selecting the at least one laser pulse-attribute subject to a cost constraint.

16. A system comprising:a memory;a modulator configured to modulate one or more laser pulse attributes;a laser coupled to the modulator; andone or more processors coupled to the memory and configured to execute instructions stored in the memory,wherein the one or more processors are configured upon execution of the stored instructions to perform operations comprising:measuring a composition of atmospheric gases in a volume of interest; selecting, based on the measured composition of atmospheric gases, at least one laser pulse attribute-value that would cause a laser pulse to change a concentration of a gas of interest in the volume of interest if the atmospheric gases in the volume of interest were exposed to the laser pulse; andtransmitting the at least one laser pulse attribute-value to the modulator; and wherein the modulator is configured to control the laser to produce a laser pulse with the at least one laser pulse attribute-value upon receiving the transmitted at least one laser pulse attribute-value from the one or more processors.

17. The system of claim 16, wherein the one or more processors are further configured upon execution of the stored instructions to:detecting a change in the composition of atmospheric gases in the volume of interest; and adapting, based on the detected change in atmospheric gas composition in the volume of interest, the at least one laser pulse attribute-value to change the concentration of the gas of interest in the volume of interest.

18. The system of claim 16, wherein photodissociation or photoionization of the gas of interest or a precursor gas of interest causes the change in concentration of the gas of interest in the volume of interest.Attorney Docket No. 55018-0002W0119. A non-transitory machine-readable medium storing instructions that, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to perform operations comprising:measuring a composition of atmospheric gases in a volume of interest;selecting, based on the measured composition of atmospheric composition, at least one laser pulse attribute-value that would cause a laser pulse to change a concentration of a gas of interest in the volume of interest if the atmospheric gases in the volume of interest were exposed to the laser pulse; andproducing a laser pulse with the at least one laser pulse attribute-value.

20. The non-transitory machine-readable medium of claim 19, further storing instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to perform operations comprising: detecting a change in the composition of atmospheric gases in the volume of interest; and adapting, based on the detected change, the at least one laser pulse attribute-value to change the concentration of the gas of interest in the volume of interest.

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