  In a recent paper [Phys. Rev. Lett. 97, 070401 (2006)] the transition rate of
magnetic spin-flip of a neutral two-level atom trapped in the vicinity of a
thick superconducting body was studied. In the present paper we will extend
these considerations to a situation with an atom at various distances from a
dielectric film. Rates for the corresponding electric dipole-flip transition
will also be considered. The rates for these atomic flip transitions can be
reduced or enhanced, and in some situations they can even be completely
suppressed. For a superconducting film or a thin film of a perfect conducting
material various analytical expressions are derived that reveals the dependence
of the physical parameters at hand.
