The use of plasma to clean or sterilize items can be particularly advantageous for items that cannot be readily washed or cleaned by standard methods. The toxicity and complications generating sufficient plasma makes it hard to use for such purposes. The subject invention addresses the problem by generating a minimal amount of highly reactive plasma to sterilize an item. This is achieved by reducing the amount of space and ambient air around and within the item. In this way, the plasma generated fills only the required volume of the item to be cleaned and the plasm is directed at the object, not directed at or released into non-target areas.

A system, including an optical imaging assembly configured to image a sample at an object plane to an image plane; an image sensor arranged at the image plane and configured to capture images of the sample for a field of view of the system; a light source configured to emit light having a wavelength, λ; a spatial light modulator (SLM) arranged to receive the light emitted from the light source and to provide a spatially modulated light pattern; one or more optical elements arranged to receive the spatially modulated light pattern from the SLM and to direct the spatially modulated light pattern to the image plane; and an electronic controller in communication with the image sensor and the spatial light modulator, the electronic controller being programmed to identify one or more targets in the field of view of the optical imaging assembly and to control the spatial light modulator to selectively direct light from the light source to the one or more targets identified by the electronic controller.

A system, including an optical imaging assembly configured to image a sample at an object plane to an image plane; an image sensor arranged at the image plane and configured to capture images of the sample for a field of view of the system; a light source configured to emit light having a wavelength, λ; a spatial light modulator (SLM) arranged to receive the light emitted from the light source and to provide a spatially modulated light pattern; one or more optical elements arranged to receive the spatially modulated light pattern from the SLM and to direct the spatially modulated light pattern to the image plane; and an electronic controller in communication with the image sensor and the spatial light modulator, the electronic controller being programmed to identify one or more targets in the field of view of the optical imaging assembly and to control the spatial light modulator to selectively direct light from the light source to the one or more targets identified by the electronic controller.

A shopping cart sterilization system is provided comprising a sealable chamber with front and rear doors and a plurality of light arrays inside the chamber. The arrays comprise at least two horizontal fixtures attached along horizontal edges and at least one ultraviolet light bulb in each fixture for directing ultraviolet light at a cart in the chamber. The system also comprises a motor with pulleys and cables to move the arrays proximate and away from the cart. The system moves the light arrays proximate outer surfaces of the cart. Arrays are arranged in a basket arrangement for lowering into an internal area of the cart. Arrays are moved proximate a handle, a child seat, and wheels of the cart.

A shopping cart sterilization system is provided comprising a sealable chamber with front and rear doors and a plurality of light arrays inside the chamber. The arrays comprise at least two horizontal fixtures attached along horizontal edges and at least one ultraviolet light bulb in each fixture for directing ultraviolet light at a cart in the chamber. The system also comprises a motor with pulleys and cables to move the arrays proximate and away from the cart. The system moves the light arrays proximate outer surfaces of the cart. Arrays are arranged in a basket arrangement for lowering into an internal area of the cart. Arrays are moved proximate a handle, a child seat, and wheels of the cart.

Methods and systems are provided which project germicidal light from a lamp toward an individual donned in outerwear to disinfect the outerwear. In specific embodiments, germicidal light is projected toward an individual situated greater than approximately 1 foot from the light source. Some systems include sensor/s for detecting presence of an individual within a target area a set distance from the disinfection apparatus comprising the light source and program instructions for commencing operation of the disinfection apparatus based on information from the sensor/s. In addition or alternatively, some systems include reflective panel/s exhibiting greater than approximately 85% reflectance. In such cases, the systems may include program instructions for determining operating parameters of the disinfection apparatus and/or positions of the reflective panel/s based on information regarding an individual who is in the presence of the disinfection apparatus or who is scheduled to be in the presence of the disinfection apparatus.

Methods and systems are provided which project germicidal light from a lamp toward an individual donned in outerwear to disinfect the outerwear. In specific embodiments, germicidal light is projected toward an individual situated greater than approximately 1 foot from the light source. Some systems include sensor/s for detecting presence of an individual within a target area a set distance from the disinfection apparatus comprising the light source and program instructions for commencing operation of the disinfection apparatus based on information from the sensor/s. In addition or alternatively, some systems include reflective panel/s exhibiting greater than approximately 85% reflectance. In such cases, the systems may include program instructions for determining operating parameters of the disinfection apparatus and/or positions of the reflective panel/s based on information regarding an individual who is in the presence of the disinfection apparatus or who is scheduled to be in the presence of the disinfection apparatus.

An optical system includes a plurality of laser light sources and an optical component. A first set of one or more laser light sources is configured to emit optical disinfection light at the optical component. A second set of one or more laser light sources is configured to emit optical communication light at the optical component. The optical component is configured to distribute the optical disinfection light in a first light distribution pattern, and to distribute the optical communication light in a second light distribution pattern. The optical component includes a first set of one or more metamaterial structures configured to distribute, in the first light distribution pattern, the optical disinfection light that is incident on the optical component, and a second set of one or more metamaterial structures configured to distribute, in the second light distribution pattern, the optical communication light that is incident on the optical component.

A UV C light source including a UV C bulb adapted to emit and project UV C light at a wavelength and an interchangeable UV C light modifier through which at least a portion of the UV C light emitted from said UV C bulb is projected. The UV C light modifier may be reflective, such as a reflector, perforated, holographic material, or mechanical modifier such as a barn door. The UV C light modifier might produce a narrow pattern, circular pattern, flat pattern, or asymmetrical pattern or other desired geometric pattern, or upper air pattern. The UV C light modifier is easily removed and interchanged or may be selectable such as by receiving a base UV C fixture including the UV C light source of the present invention and selecting a desired light modifier.

A UV C light source including a UV C bulb adapted to emit and project UV C light at a wavelength and an interchangeable UV C light modifier through which at least a portion of the UV C light emitted from said UV C bulb is projected. The UV C light modifier may be reflective, such as a reflector, perforated, holographic material, or mechanical modifier such as a barn door. The UV C light modifier might produce a narrow pattern, circular pattern, flat pattern, or asymmetrical pattern or other desired geometric pattern, or upper air pattern. The UV C light modifier is easily removed and interchanged or may be selectable such as by receiving a base UV C fixture including the UV C light source of the present invention and selecting a desired light modifier.