Spontaneous emission properties of color centers based optical microcavities

Optical microcavities based on lithium fluoride films treated by low-energy electrons to create visible-emitting F-2 color centers have been fabricate d, and their radiative properties characterized for the first time. By tuni ng the photon cavity mode to the maximum of the luminescence band for the F -2 centers (similar to 670 nm), spectral narrowing, peak-intensity enhancem ent of the emission band as well as a highly directional radiation pattern have been observed comparatively for experiments performed on a half-cavity and a full microcavity, Spontaneous emission decay times have been measure d, and a shortening of lifetime by the cavity has been observed. (C) 2001 E lsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.