Interaction of quantum well excitons with evanescent plane electromagnetic waves

A formalism based on non-local dielectric response theory and Green function techniques has been developed to describe the interaction of quantum well excitons with an evanescent optical wave of a planar waveguide. Reflection spectra of a system in which a quantum well placed behind a dielectric interface at which light experiences total internal reflection have been calculated. It is shown that the spectral feature corresponding to the exciton resonance becomes much more pronounced if the angle of incidence is close to the critical angle of total internal reflection. The concept of a generalized Snell law has been applied to provide simplification of the formalism.