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Localized modes in a finite-size open disordered microwave cavity
David Laurent1, Olivier Legrand, Patrick Sebbah
1Laboratoire de Physique de la Matière Condensée, CNRS UMR 6622, Université de Nice Sophia-Antipolis, 06108 Nice, France.
Physical Review Letters
|February 1, 2008
Summary
We measured localized electromagnetic modes in a 2D microwave cavity filled with dielectric scatterers. The largest localization length correlated with boundary leakage, confirming strong localization in open random media.
Area of Science:
- Condensed Matter Physics
- Electromagnetism
- Wave Phenomena
Background:
- Understanding wave localization in disordered media is crucial for various applications.
- Open systems, allowing energy to escape, present unique challenges for studying localization.
- Previous research has explored localization in closed systems, but open systems require further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the spatial intensity distribution of localized modes in a 2D open microwave cavity.
- To determine the relationship between localization length and boundary leakage rates.
- To provide experimental evidence for strongly localized electromagnetic modes in open random media.
Main Methods:
- Fabrication of a 2D open microwave cavity.
- Randomly filling the cavity with cylindrical dielectric scatterers.
- Measuring the spatial intensity distribution of localized modes.
- Quantifying the leakage rate at the cavity boundary.
Main Results:
- Observed localized modes within the 2D open microwave cavity.
- Each mode exhibited a distribution of localization lengths.
- A direct correlation was established between the maximum localization length and the measured boundary leakage rate.
Conclusions:
- The experimental results provide unambiguous signatures of strongly localized electromagnetic modes.
- These findings demonstrate the existence of strong localization in open two-dimensional random media.
- The study offers a new perspective on wave transport and localization in complex, open systems.
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