Finite-size effects on intensity correlations in random media

Area of Science:

• Physics
• Wave Phenomena
• Disordered Systems

Background:

• Understanding wave propagation through random media is crucial in various scientific fields.
• Correlations in wave transmission provide insights into the underlying physical processes.
• Previous studies have focused on intensity and conductance fluctuations.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze the correlations between waves transmitted through random media.
• To investigate the dependence of these correlations on system parameters, particularly sample length.
• To offer a new interpretation for experimental observations in disordered optical systems.

Main Methods:

• Utilizing a random-matrix approach.
• Performing numerical simulations of rough waveguides.
• Analyzing long-range correlations C((2)) and C((3)).

Main Results:

• Wave intensity and conductance fluctuations show independence from sample length.
• Correlations exhibit a strong dependence on the length of the disordered region.
• In waveguide geometries, long-range correlations become negative as system length decreases.

Conclusions:

• The length of the disordered region is a critical factor in wave correlations.
• Negative correlations observed in waveguides offer a new perspective on wave transport.
• The findings provide a novel interpretation for optical experiments in disordered slabs.