Modified spontaneous-emission rate in an inverted-opal structure with complete photonic bandgap

A finite three-dimensional photonic-crystal structure with a complete photonic bandgap is shown to drastically modify the spontaneous-emission rate of an embedded dipole. Calculations on the basis of the finite-difference time-domain method with perfectly matched layer boundary conditions demonstrate a strong position and polarization dependence of spontaneous emission within the unit cell. Strong enhancement effects are predicted at interfaces between the high-index and the low-index material. The inhibition of spontaneous emission within the bandgap is of the order of two magnitudes, even for relatively small crystallites. (C) 2002 Optical Society of America.