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Updated: May 7, 2026

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Determination of the Excitation and Coupling Rates Between Light Emitters and Surface Plasmon Polaritons
Published on: July 21, 2018
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Non-exponential spontaneous emission dynamics for emitters in a time-dependent optical cavity
Optics Express
|October 10, 2013
Summary
We demonstrate deterministic control over spontaneous emission in dynamic optical microcavities. This method enables a burst of photons, deviating from typical exponential decay for enhanced light emission control.
Area of Science:
- Quantum Electrodynamics
- Optics
- Materials Science
Background:
- Spontaneous emission is a fundamental quantum optical process.
- Controlling spontaneous emission is crucial for quantum technologies.
- Dynamic optical microcavities offer tunable environments for light-matter interactions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To theoretically investigate the deterministic temporal control of spontaneous emission.
- To propose a new paradigm for light emission using time-modulated optical environments.
- To explore the potential of dynamic semiconductor microcavities for emission control.
Main Methods:
- Development of a rate equation model for two-level emitters.
- Analysis within the weak coupling regime of quantum electrodynamics.
- Simulation of emitters in a semiconductor microcavity switched by free-carrier excitation.
Main Results:
- A short temporal increase in radiative decay rate depletes the excited state.
- Drastic increase in emission intensity observed during the switch time.
- Time-dependent spontaneous emission exhibits a non-exponential photon arrival time distribution, showing a deterministic photon burst.
Conclusions:
- Deterministic temporal control of spontaneous emission is achievable in dynamic microcavities.
- This control enables a novel, intense photon burst emission.
- The findings open new avenues for manipulating light emission in quantum systems.
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