Abstract

Wavelength scale periodic structures are of great current interest since they may be used to modify the interaction between light and matter [1]. In particular photonic band gaps may be used both to suppress [2] and enhance [3] spontaneous emission. Recently we have studied band gaps for surface rather than bulk modes, and have shown that these may also be used to control spontaneous emission from a thin layer of dye [4]. Such gaps occur when electromagnetic modes propagate on periodically modulated surfaces. We report on a detailed study to look at how the surface mode band structure depends on the surface profile.

© 1996 IEEE