Spontaneous emission in a high-contrast one-dimensional photonic crystal

In a high-contrast one-dimensional photonic crystal (PC) spontaneous emission (SE) can resonantly excite evanescent modes that are guided by the high-index layers. Giant acceleration of SE takes place - as high as 76 (50) times the free-space value for a single atom (gas). Analogous SE in two-dimensional PCs, that resonantly excites waves guided by the dielectric cylinders, could lead to improvement of PC lasers. The radiative modes can have exotic radiation patterns and can be totally suppressed for TE polarization in certain spectral ranges. The SE rate is extremely sensitive to the atom's position at the interfaces, with possible applications in surface science.