INTERNAL DYNAMICS OF MULTILEVEL ATOMS NEAR A VACUUM-DIELECTRIC INTERFACE

We show how the internal dynamics of a multilevel atom are modified in the vicinity of the interface between a vacuum and a simple or multil ayered lossless dielectric medium. Optical Bloch equations are derived , which take into account the modifications of spontaneous emission ra tes and energy levels experienced by the atom. van der Waals level shi fts are evaluated using the method of images for dielectrics. Spontane ous emission rates and radiation patterns are calculated in a simple w ay using the Lorentz reciprocity theorem.