Environment-induced modification of spontaneous emission: single-molecule near-field probe

The modification of lifetime experienced by a fluorescent molecule placed in an arbitrary environment is investigated theoretically within the framework of linear response theory. We present a complete description of the interaction of the particle with arbitrary structures on a plane substrate or inside a cavity. The theory is based on a self-consistent scattering procedure in which retardation effects and contributions from both homogeneous and evanescent modes of the electromagnetic field are included. The decay rate variations are computed and the concept of single-molecule near-field probe is discussed.