Purcell Effect — Cavity-Enhanced Emission

The Purcell effect enhances spontaneous emission by coupling an atom to a cavity with high Q-factor and small mode volume V. The Purcell factor F_P = (3/4π²)(λ/n)³(Q/V). In the weak-coupling regime (κ ≫ g), emission is enhanced; in strong coupling (g ≫ κ), vacuum Rabi splitting occurs.

Purcell Factor F_P
Enhanced rate Γ (ns⁻¹)
Coupling regime
β factor
50
0.50
0.10
0.50
0.0