Electron induced light emission in photonic crystals

The interaction of a fast electron with a photonic crystal is studied by solving the Maxwell equations exactly for the external field provided by the electron in the presence of the crystal. The polarization currents and charges produced by the passage of the electron give rise to the emission of the so-called Smith-Purcell radiation. The emitted light probability is obtained by integrating the Poynting vector over planes parallel to the crystal at a large distance from the latter. Both reflected and transmitted light components are analyzed and related to the photonic band structure of the crystal. Emission spectra are compared with the energy loss probability and also with the reflectance and transmittance of the crystal. (C) 2003 Published by Elsevier Science B.V.