Apparatus for altering the biological and chemical activity of molecular species

摘要

Apparatus for altering (i.e., deactivating or activating) the biological or chemical activity of macromolecular species that employs laser beam radiation at a frequency that excites vibrational and rotational states of the irradiated species and at an intensity sufficient to activate the species (but below the denaturation level) or to a level such that the weak bonds -- e.g., hydrogen bonds -- that determine the spatial character, and hence the biological activity of macromolecules are irreversibly broken to such extent that the macromolecule loses its original form (the process of denaturation) and assumes an inactive (denatured) configuration. In the case of absorbing materials, pulses of energy from the beam, which are obtained by interrupting a c.w. beam, using a pulsed laser, or as a Q-switched configuration, are used. In a broad sense, the invention is primarily directed to the breakdown of large molecules either into varieties with different spatial characteristics or into smaller molecular units. This is effected by exposure to laser radiation which excites vibrational and rotational states of the irradiated species to such an extent that substantially irreversible chemical changes take place. These changes can in some instances occur in the species itself without the presence of any other reacting chemical agents. In other instances, the laser may effect a change by enhancing or retarding a chemical reaction among different species.