Systems and methods for controlling objects

Abstract

Systems and methods for controlling an object are disclosed. In one embodiment, a system and method pertain to irradiating the object with polarized electromagnetic radiation for a duration of time sufficient to effect a physical change with the object.

1 . A system for controlling an object, the system comprising:
 a source of electromagnetic radiation; and   a polarizing element that is configurable to selectively polarize the electromagnetic radiation in a manner that imparts an intended physical effect on an object.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the source of electromagnetic radiation is a source of light configured to generate a broad field of light having substantially no intensity gradient. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the broad field of light has an intensity less than approximately 100 W/m 2 . 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the system comprises no focusing element that focuses the broad field of light. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the source of electromagnetic radiation is configured to generate coherent light. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 5 , wherein the source of electromagnetic radiation is a laser. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the source of electromagnetic radiation is configured to generate incoherent or partially-coherent light. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the source of electromagnetic radiation is configured to generate light having a wavelength of approximately 200 to 5,000 nanometers. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein the generated light has a bandwidth of approximately 1 to 500 nanometers. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the polarizing element is a polarizer, waveplate, electro-optical modulator, acoustic modulator, liquid crystal element, or a spatial light modulator. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the polarizing element is configured to polarize the light in a linear, elliptical, or circular state. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the polarizing element is configured to provide different polarizations in different regions of the electromagnetic radiation. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising an optical system that includes a lens.