Radiating dipoles in photonic crystals

The radiation dynamics of a dipole antenna embedded in a photonic crystal a re modeled by an initially excited harmonic oscillator coupled to a non-Mar kovian bath of harmonic oscillators representing the colored electromagneti c vacuum within the crystal. Realistic coupling constants based on the natu ral modes of the photonic crystal, i.e., Bloch waves and their associated d ispersion relation, are derived. For simple model systems, well-known resul ts such as decay times and emission spectra are reproduced. This approach e nables direct incorporation of realistic band structure computations into s tudies of radiative emission from atoms and molecules within photonic cryst als. We therefore provide a predictive and interpretative tool for experime nts in both the microwave and optical regimes.