Localization of light in disordered dielectrics: an approach based on spectral statistics

Area of Science:

• Wave physics
• Disordered systems
• Dielectric phenomena

Background:

• The scalar wave equation models light propagation in dielectrics.
• Understanding wave behavior in disordered media is crucial for material science.
• Eigenvalue fluctuations are key indicators of system properties.

Purpose of the Study:

• To numerically investigate eigenvalue fluctuation properties.
• To explore the impact of strong disorder on wave behavior.
• To compare wave phenomena in dielectrics with electron behavior in disordered solids.

Main Methods:

• Numerical simulations of the 2D scalar wave equation.
• Analysis of eigenvalue fluctuations under varying disorder strengths.
• Examination of frequency-dependent effects.

Main Results:

• A transition from diffusive to localized wave behavior with increasing disorder was observed.
• This transition is analogous to Anderson localization in electron systems.
• A novel suppression of disorder effects at low frequencies was identified.

Conclusions:

• Disordered dielectrics exhibit a transition to localized states analogous to electron systems.
• Wave number dependence in the wave equation leads to unique low-frequency disorder suppression.
• This phenomenon has no direct analog in electron wave behavior.