Selective resonance of chemical structures

1. A method of characterizing a target molecule or group of molecules in an environment, comprising:

identifying a group of resonant structures within the target, wherein:

each resonant structure in the group possesses at least one characteristic resonant frequency;

the characteristic resonant frequency of a shiftable resonant structure in the group can be shifted by exciting a shifting resonant structure in the group; and

the group of resonant structures is substantially absent from nontarget molecules in the environment;

determining a score specifying a set of applied frequencies that, when applied in sequence to the target,

shift the characteristic resonant frequency of the shiftable resonant structure in the group through excitation of the shifting resonant structure in the group;

excite the shiftable resonant structure at its shifted resonant frequency; and

selectively change the energy or state of at least a portion of the target relative to its environment; and

applying the set of applied frequencies to the environment of the target molecule.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the set of applied frequencies, when applied in sequence to the target, shifts the resonance of and excites a plurality of the resonant structures at their respective shifted resonances.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein determining a set of applied frequencies comprises computational modeling of the target.

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein determining a set of applied frequencies comprises applying a plurality of sets of applied frequencies to the environment and observing effects of each of the plurality of sets on the target.

5. The method of claim 1 , wherein determining a set of applied frequencies comprises spectroscopically observing the target.

6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the target comprises a biomolecule.

7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the target comprises a nucleotide or a protein.

8. The method of claim 1 , wherein the target comprises a crystal.

9. The method of claim 1 , wherein the target comprises a complex of molecules.

10. The method of claim 1 , wherein the identified group of resonant structures comprises at least 4 resonant structures.

11. The method of claim 1 , wherein the identified group of resonant structures comprises at least 10 resonant structures.

12. The method of claim 1 , wherein the identified group of resonant structures comprises at least 36 resonant structures.

13. The method of claim 1 , wherein the resonant structures of the identified group are contiguous within a molecule.

14. The method of claim 1 , wherein the shiftable resonant structure and the shifting resonant structure share an atom.

15. The method of claim 1 , wherein the shiftable resonant structure and the shifting resonant structure do not share any atoms.

16. The method of claim 1 , wherein the score specifies application of an electromagnetic beam as an energy input.

17. The method of claim 16 , wherein the electromagnetic beam has at least one characteristic selected from the group consisting of:

a selected set of frequencies;

a selected set of modulation frequencies;

a selected set of phases;

a selected set of amplitudes;

a selected temporal profile;

a selected set of polarizations; and

a selected direction.

18. The method of claim 17 , wherein the selected set of frequencies is approximately monochromatic.

19. The method of claim 18 , wherein the electromagnetic beam is coherent.

20. The method of claim 18 , wherein the electromagnetic beam is incoherent.

21. The method of claim 17 , wherein the selected set of frequencies comprises a plurality of local maxima.

22. The method of claim 17 , wherein the selected set of modulation frequencies comprises a plurality of local maxima.

23. The method of claim 17 , wherein the electromagnetic beam is coherent.

24. The method of claim 17 , wherein the electromagnetic beam is incoherent.

25. The method of claim 17 , wherein the selected set of frequencies comprises at least two frequencies, and wherein the at least two frequencies have differing amplitudes.

26. The method of claim 17 , wherein the selected set of modulation frequencies comprises at least two frequencies, and wherein the at least two frequencies have differing amplitudes.

27. The method of claim 17 , wherein the temporal profile is characterized by a selected beam duration.

28. The method of claim 17 , wherein the temporal profile is characterized by a selected change in frequency, modulation frequency, phase, amplitude, polarization, or direction during a selected time interval.

29. The method of claim 17 , wherein the electromagnetic beam is polarized.

30. The method of claim 16 , wherein the electromagnetic beam is an infrared beam.

31. The method of claim 16 , wherein the electromagnetic beam is amplitude modulated.

32. The method of claim 16 , wherein the electromagnetic beam is frequency modulated.

33. The method of claim 1 , wherein the score specifies application of a plurality of electromagnetic beams.

34. The method of claim 33 , wherein the plurality of electromagnetic beams differ in frequency, modulation frequency, phase, amplitude, temporal profile, polarization or orientation.

35. The method of claim 33 , wherein the plurality of electromagnetic beams intersect at a target location.

36. The method of claim 1 , wherein the score specifies applying a field to the environment, wherein the field acts to preferentially orient at least a portion of the target.

37. The method of claim 36 , wherein the field is selected from the group consisting of an electric field, a magnetic field, an electromagnetic field, a mechanical stress, a mechanical strain, a lowered or elevated temperature, a lowered or elevated pressure, a phase change, an adsorbing surface, a catalyst, an energy input, and combinations thereof.