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arXiv · 1011.6194

Spatial oscillations in the spontaneous emission rate of an atom inside a metallic wedge

H. J. Zhao·M. L. Du
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Abstract

A method of images is applied to study the spontaneous emission of an atom inside a metallic wedge with an opening angle of $\pi/N$, where N is an arbitrary positive integer. We show the method of images gives a rate formula consistent with that from Quantum Electrodynamics. Using the method of images, we show the correspondence between the oscillations in the spontaneous emission rate and the closed-orbits of emitted photon going away and returning to the atom inside the wedge. The closed-orbits can be readily constructed using the method of images and they are also extracted from the spontaneous emission rate.

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H. J. Zhao, M. L. Du. 2010-11-29. Spatial oscillations in the spontaneous emission rate of an atom inside a metallic wedge. https://doi.org/10.1088/0953-4075%2F44%2F2%2F025401

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