We predict that thermal emission can be controlled by selective heating of periodic structures. Previous studies on thermal emission modification via photonic crystals have been limited to uniform temperature. We consider frequency-dependent nonuniform absorption in a periodic structure and show that thermal emission peaks can be associated with specific locations in the structure. Consequently, local periodic heating allows control over which peaks appear in the thermal emission spectrum, as we demonstrate with calculations on two-component metallodielectric structures.

• Received 23 September 2009

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.104.043901