Accurate calculation of the local density of optical states in inverse-opal photonic crystals

We have investigated the local density of optical states (LDOS) in titania and silicon inverse opals-threedimensional photonic crystals that have been realized experimentally. We used the H-field plane-wave expansion method to calculate the density of states and the projected LDOS, which are directly relevant for spontaneous emission dynamics and strong coupling. We present the first quantitative analysis of the frequency resolution and of the accuracy of the calculated LDOS. We have calculated the projected LDOS for many different emitter positions and orientations in inverse opals in order to supply a theoretical interpretation for recent emission experiments and as reference results for future experiments and theory by other workers. The results show that the LDOS in inverse opals strongly depends on the crystal lattice parameter as well as on the position and orientation of emitting dipoles.