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We consider the dispersion-interaction self-energy of two atoms or of a charge and an atom without imposing the Born-Oppenheimer approximation. We find compact expressions in terms of matrix elements of operators in the atomic displacement which are not limited by multipole expansions. The saturation effect of recoil causes the self-energy to be finite even at small separation. The relation to previously obtained results in terms of multipole expansions is discussed.

We have solved Maxwell's equations for a source, consisting of an oscillating dipole, located in a plane-bounded dielectric half space. Formulas are given for the radiation yield from this source in the region outside the dielectric. The medium is characterized by a local, complex dielectric function \ensuremath{\epsilon}(\ensuremath{\omega})=${\ensuremath{\epsilon}}_{1}$(\ensuremath{\omega})+i${\ensuremath{\epsilon}}_{2}$(\ensuremath{\omega}). The application of these formulas to the analysis of experimental data on luminescence from solids is discussed, and calculations are presented for aluminum, carbon, silver, copper, and gold.