Purcell effect in chiral environments

TL;DR

This paper investigates how chiral environments influence the Purcell effect, revealing dependencies on frequency, molecular properties, and proximity to interfaces, using macroscopic quantum electrodynamics.

Contribution

It provides a detailed theoretical analysis of the Purcell effect in chiral media, including local-field corrections and various geometries, which was not previously explored.

Findings

Chiral effects are strongest at high transition frequencies.

Large optical rotatory strength enhances the Purcell effect.

Proximity to interfaces further amplifies the effect.

Abstract

The Purcell effect describes the modification of the spontaneous decay rate in the presence of electromagnetic media and bodies. In this work, we shed light on the dependencies and magnitude of this effect for chiral materials. Using the framework of macroscopic quantum electrodynamics and Fermi's golden rule, we study a chiral bulk medium with and without local-field corrections, an idealised chiral mirror and a chiral surface. The results imply that the chiral effect is greatest for large transition frequencies, molecules with large optical rotatory strength and media with a strong cross-susceptibility. In the case of a half space, short distances from the molecule to the interface additionally enhance the effect.