We show rigorously that the coefficient for spontaneous emission of an atom placed in a dielectric is proportional to the local radiative density of states—that is only a part of the local density of the eigenmodes of the Maxwell equations. Spontaneous emission is inhibited if the atom is located at a position where this local radiative density is small, even if the total density of states is not vanishing. This radiative density of states can be obtained without having to perform a full quantum calculation of the radiation-matter system. We demonstrate this principle by solving numerically a scalar model for a dielectric that consists of a lattice of resonating dipoles.

https://doi.org/10.1209/epl/i1996-00564-y

R. Sprik, B.A. van Tiggelen, and A. Lagendijk

1996

06/1996

Europhys. Lett.

35

265-270

10.1209/epl/i1996-00564-y

3D photonic band gap crystals, LDOS, local density of states, point dipole