Photon Source for Promoting the Growth and Maturation Rate of Members of the Plantae and Protista Kingdoms

Abstract

A photon source for promoting the growth and maturation rate of members of the Plantae and Protista Kingdoms comprises a new luminous power source that provides the full range of light spectra by mimicking sunlight in a sunfleck (dappled) pattern by exciting xenon gas inside of an enclosed glass tube in instantaneous pulsed sequences. The micro-dose pulse penetrates the leaf strata to reach the maximum amount of photon processing pigments, provides the energy required for growth by enhancing photosynthetic plant functions, and significantly reducing production energy consumption. The pulse also allows the plant or Protista's photon processing compounds to process the photosynthesis reaction before the next flash, which allows for optimal use of the energy provided. The pulsed lighting sequences reduce energy consumption by up to 90%, and this makes it an excellent application for solar, wind or other green energy power thus reducing carbon footprint and making it the future of the CEA industry.

1 . A method for regulating photosynthetic efficiency in members of the Plantae and Protista Kingdoms, comprising:
 positioning an electromagnetic spectrum stroboscopic photon source proximate to said members of the Plantae and Protista Kingdoms,   producing a plurality of micro-doses of intense pulsed light with said electromagnetic spectrum stroboscopic photon source in random or synchronized sequences, each micro-dose having an exposure time from about 0.01 milliseconds to about 10 milliseconds within an electromagnetic spectrum range from about 50 nm to about 2200 nm.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein each micro-dose comprises:
 a pulse cycle comprising an energy trigger pulse, a flash in which instantaneous PPF is reached, and a decay period where PPF returns to zero.   
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the energy trigger pulse initiates ionization of inert gas within said stroboscopic photon source with a trigger pulse width of 10 μsec to 350 μsec for a strobe light with an input of 3 to 400 watts (W) and an output of 450 to 8,500 watts (W) in peak radiant flux, which includes light produced in the visible and electromagnetic spectrum (Red, Far-Red, IR, Green, Blue, UVA. UVB). 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the initial flash period comprises a time from trigger to a point after peak PPF substantially comprising 50% of PPF. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein said decay period comprises two to seven times the length of the flash period. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 2 , further comprising:
 adding micro-burst flashes into the decay period of the pulse cycle where the initial primary flash (Pf), which is defined as the flash having the highest PPF, is followed by one or more additional micro-burst flashes (Af), each having a lower PPF to enhance a sunfleck effect.   
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 2 , further comprising:
 reversing or randomizing the pulse cycle, wherein a blend of all flashes occurs within a total pulse cycle.   
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising any of:
 said micro-doses of intense pulsed light produced by said stroboscopic photon source initiating, stabilizing, and regulating steady-state photosynthetic induction and relaxation in said members of the Plantae and Protista Kingdoms;   said micro-doses of intense pulsed light produced by said stroboscopic photon source maximizing photosynthetic efficiency and robust expression of genes controlling qualitative and quantitative phenotypic traits in said members of the Plantae and Protista Kingdoms;   said micro-doses of intense pulsed light produced by said stroboscopic photon source affecting control, regulation, and modification of phenotypic expression in members of the Plantae and Protista Kingdoms, including root development, internode spacing, branching development, flower set, early maturing, yield increases, phenolic compound increases, and quality enhancements both qualitatively and quantitatively; and   said micro-doses of intense pulsed light produced by said stroboscopic photon source within a portion of the electromagnetic spectrum activating photoreceptors that influence optogenetics and maximizing symbiosis of microorganisms (endophyte) within members of the Plantae and Protista Kingdoms and photosynthetic functions of the members of the Plantae and Protista Kingdoms.   
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 said micro-doses of intense pulsed light produced by said stroboscopic photon source within said visible electromagnetic spectrum are captured by chlorophylls, carotenoids, flavins, pterins, anthocyanins, bilins, and other necessary pigments within an organism (endophyte) that is located inside the plant.   
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 said micro-doses of intense pulsed light produced by said stroboscopic photon source using light modulation to influence quorum sensing versatile chemical signaling molecules which regulate gene expression in said members of the Plantae and Protista Kingdoms.   
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 operating said stroboscopic photon source to deliver between 1,000 and 150,000 Horticultural peak PPF instantaneous photons with an input of between 3 and 400 watts.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 operating said stroboscopic photon source as a point source focused intense light source that delivers 50-400,000 PPFD photons to the surface of the leaf canopies when the source is adjusted by height increments falling in a range where the fixture is located one inch to seven feet from the surface of the leaf canopy.   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 operating a grow light in conjunction with said stroboscopic photon source, said grow light positioned proximate to said members of the Plantae and Protista Kingdoms.   
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 providing a lens and a reflector to focus light in a condensed pattern; and   adjusting said lens to affect a wavelength provided to the members of the Plantae and Protista Kingdoms.   
     
     
         15 . Apparatus for regulating photosynthetic efficiency in members of the Plantae and Protista Kingdoms, comprising:
 an electromagnetic spectrum stroboscopic photon source adapted to be positioned proximate to said members of the Plantae and Protista Kingdoms, said stroboscopic photon source producing a plurality of micro-doses of intense pulsed light in random or synchronized sequences, each micro-dose having an exposure time from about 0.01 milliseconds to about 10 milliseconds within an electromagnetic spectrum range from about 50 nm to about 2200 nm.   
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 15 , wherein each micro-dose comprises:
 a pulse cycle comprising an energy trigger pulse, a flash in which instantaneous PPF is reached, and a decay period where PPF returns to zero.   
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 16 , wherein the energy trigger pulse initiates ionization of inert gas within said stroboscopic photon source with a trigger pulse width of 10 μsec to 350 μsec for a strobe light with an input of 3 to 400 watts (W) and an output of 450 to 8,500 watts (W) in peak radiant flux, which includes light produced in the visible and electromagnetic spectrum (Red, Far-Red, IR, Green, Blue, UVA. UVB). 
     
     
         18 . The apparatus of  claim 16 , wherein the initial flash period comprises a time from trigger to a point after peak PPF substantially comprising 50% of PPF. 
     
     
         19 . The apparatus of  claim 16 , wherein said decay period comprises two to seven times the length of the flash period. 
     
     
         20 . The apparatus of  claim 16 , further comprising:
 micro-burst flashes added into the decay period of the pulse cycle where the initial primary flash (Pf), which is defined as the flash having the highest PPF, is followed by one or more additional micro-burst flashes (Af), each having a lower PPF to enhance a sunfleck effect.   
     
     
         21 . The apparatus of  claim 15 , further comprising any of:
 said stroboscopic photon source producing said micro-doses of intense pulsed light, said micro-doses of intense pulsed light initiating, stabilizing, and regulating steady-state photosynthetic induction and relaxation in said members of the Plantae and Protista Kingdoms,   said stroboscopic photon source producing said micro-doses of intense pulsed light, said micro-doses of intense pulsed light maximizing photosynthetic efficiency and robust expression of genes controlling qualitative and quantitative phenotypic traits in said members of the Plantae and Protista Kingdoms;   said stroboscopic photon source producing said micro-doses of intense pulsed light, said micro-doses of intense pulsed light affecting control, regulation, and modification of phenotypic expression in members of the Plantae and Protista Kingdoms, including root development, internode spacing, branching development, flower set, early maturing, yield increases, phenolic compound increases, and quality enhancements both qualitatively and quantitatively; and   said stroboscopic photon source producing said micro-doses of intense pulsed light, said micro-doses of intense pulsed light activating photoreceptors that influence optogenetics and maximizing symbiosis of microorganisms (endophyte) within members of the Plantae and Protista Kingdoms and photosynthetic functions of the members of the Plantae and Protista Kingdoms.   
     
     
         22 . The apparatus of  claim 15 , wherein said stroboscopic photon source has a peak performance peak-to-time average ratio of between 50-8000 and preferably 2424.5 for a 30-watt strobe assembly. 
     
     
         23 . The apparatus of  claim 15 , further comprising:
 said stroboscopic photon source producing 1-550 and preferably 80 flashes per minute at between 50-60 Hz.   
     
     
         24 . The apparatus of  claim 15 , further comprising:
 said stroboscopic photon source having a 3-400 watt strobe light Watt input and preferably 30 Watts.   
     
     
         25 . The apparatus of  claim 15 , further comprising:
 said stroboscopic photon source producing an exposure time of 0.01-10 milliseconds, and preferably 1.30 milliseconds for a 30-watt strobe assembly.   
     
     
         26 . The apparatus of  claim 15 , further comprising:
 said stroboscopic photon source comprising a filter;   wherein said filter type is selected to affect a wavelength of light provided to said members of the Plantae and Protista Kingdoms.   
     
     
         27 . The apparatus of  claim 19 , further comprising:
 an LED or other grow lights including, but not limited to, HPS, HID LPS, fluorescent, or Incandescent.   
     
     
         28 . The apparatus of  claim 15 , further comprising:
 said stroboscopic photon source producing light having high-intensity full spectrum wavelengths with 1%-75% total power from IR and 1%-90% total power from visible wavelengths, and up to 5% combined total from UVA and UVB.   
     
     
         29 . The apparatus of  claim 19 , further comprising:
 an LED or other grow light operating in conjunction with said stroboscopic photon source, said grow light positioned proximate to said members of the Plantae and Protista Kingdoms.   
     
     
         30 . A method for regulating photosynthetic functions in members of the Plantae and Protista Kingdoms, comprising:
 producing a plurality of micro-doses of intense pulsed light with an electromagnetic spectrum stroboscopic photon source in random or synchronized sequences, each micro-dose having an exposure time from 0.01 milliseconds to 10 milliseconds within an electromagnetic spectrum range from 50 nm-2200 nm;   wherein said stroboscopic photon source produces modulated light for operation as any of:
 an enhancer for photosynthetic functions in said members of the Plantae and Protista Kingdoms; 
 to mimic sunfleck through light modulation; 
 to affect priming, induction and relaxation of photosynthetic processes within a plant; 
 to influence a circadian rhythm of members of the Plantae and Protista Kingdoms; 
 to affect quorum sensing and microorganisms within a plant; and 
 to affect ATP production within a plant.