Localization of classical waves I: Acoustic waves

We consider classical acoustic waves in a medium described by a position dependent mass density (x). We assume that (x) is a reandom perturbation of a periodic function ₀(x) and that the periodic acoustic operator has a gap in the spectrum. We prove the existence of localized waves, i.e., finite energy solutions of the acoustic equations with the property that almost all of the wave's energy remains in a fixed bounded region of space at all times, with probability one. Localization of acoustic waves is a consequence of Anderson localization for the self-adjoint operators onL ²( ^d ). We prove that, in the random medium described by (x), the random operatorA exhibits Anderson localization inside the gap in the spectrum ofA ₀. This is shown even in situations when the gap is totally filled by the spectrum of the random opertor; we can prescribe random environments that ensure localization in almost the whole gap.This author was supported by the U.S. Air Force Grant F49620-94-1-0172.This author was supported in part by the NSF Grants DMS-9208029 and DMS-9500720.     

A General Framework for Localization of Classical Waves: II. Random Media

We study localization of classical waves in random media in the general framework introduced in Part I of this work. This framework allows for two random coefficients, encompasses acoustic waves with random position dependent compressibility and mass density, elastic waves with random position dependent Lamé moduli and mass density, electromagnetic waves with random position dependent magnetic permeability and dielectric constant, and allows for anisotropy. We show exponential localization (Anderson localization) and strong Hilbert–Schmidt dynamical localization for random perturbations of periodic media with a spectral gap. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Lifshitz Tails for Acoustic Waves in Random Quantum Waveguide

In this study, we consider acoustic operators in a random quantum waveguide. Precisely we deal with an elliptic operator in the divergence form on a random strip. We prove that the integrated density of states of the relevant operator exhibits Lifshitz behavior at the bottom of the spectrum. This result could be used to prove localization of acoustic waves at the bottom of the spectrum. 2000 Mathematics Subject Classification: 81Q10, 35P05, 37A30, 47F05     

Bands of Localized Electromagnetic Waves in 3D Random Media

Anderson localization of electromagnetic waves in three-dimensional disordered dielectric structures is studied using a simple yet realistic theoretical model. An effective approach based on analysis of probability distributions, not averages, is developed. The disordered dielectric medium is modeled by a system of randomly distributed electric dipoles. Spectra of certain random matrices are investigated and the possibility of appearance of the continuous band of localized waves emerging in the limit of an infinite medium is indicated. It is shown that localization could be achieved without tuning the frequency of monochromatic electromagnetic waves to match the internal (Mie-type) resonances of individual scatterers. A possible explanation for the lack of experimental evidence for strong localization in 3D as well as suggestions how to make localization experimentally feasible are also given. Rather peculiar requirements for setting in localization in 3D as compared to 2D are indicated.     

Wegner Estimate and Anderson Localization for Random Magnetic Fields

We consider a two dimensional magnetic Schrödinger operator with a spatially stationary random magnetic field. We assume that the magnetic field has a positive lower bound and that it has Fourier modes on arbitrarily short scales. We prove the Wegner estimate at arbitrary energy, i.e. we show that the averaged density of states is finite throughout the whole spectrum. We also prove Anderson localization at the bottom of the spectrum.     

Localization of electromagnetic and acoustic waves in random media. Lattice models

We consider lattice versions of Maxwell's equations and of the equation that governs the propagation of acoustic waves in a random medium. The vector nature of electromagnetic waves is fully taken into account. The medium is assumed to be a small perturbation of a periodic one. We prove rigorously that localized eigenstates arise in a vicinity of the edges of the gaps in the spectrum. A key ingredient is a new Wegner-type estimate for a class of lattice operators with off-diagonal disorder.     

Dynamical Localization for Unitary Anderson Models

This paper establishes dynamical localization properties of certain families of unitary random operators on the d-dimensional lattice in various regimes. These operators are generalizations of one-dimensional physical models of quantum transport and draw their name from the analogy with the discrete Anderson model of solid state physics. They consist in a product of a deterministic unitary operator and a random unitary operator. The deterministic operator has a band structure, is absolutely continuous and plays the role of the discrete Laplacian. The random operator is diagonal with elements given by i.i.d. random phases distributed according to some absolutely continuous measure and plays the role of the random potential. In dimension one, these operators belong to the family of CMV-matrices in the theory of orthogonal polynomials on the unit circle. We implement the method of Aizenman-Molchanov to prove exponential decay of the fractional moments of the Green function for the unitary Anderson model in the following three regimes: In any dimension, throughout the spectrum at large disorder and near the band edges at arbitrary disorder and, in dimension one, throughout the spectrum at arbitrary disorder. We also prove that exponential decay of fractional moments of the Green function implies dynamical localization, which in turn implies spectral localization. These results complete the analogy with the self-adjoint case where dynamical localization is known to be true in the same three regimes.     

Lifshitz Tails for a Class of Schrödinger Operators with Random Breather-Type Potential

We derive bounds on the integrated density of states for a class of Schrödinger operators with a random potential. The potential depends on a sequence of random variables, not necessarily in a linear way. An example of such a random Schrödinger operator is the breather model, as introduced by Combes, Hislop and Mourre. For these models, we show that the integrated density of states near the bottom of the spectrum behaves according to the so called Lifshitz asymptotics. This result can be used to prove Anderson localization in certain energy/disorder regimes.     

New Characterizations of the Region of Complete Localization for Random Schrödinger Operators

We study the region of complete localization in a class of random operators which includes random Schrödinger operators with Anderson-type potentials and classical wave operators in random media, as well as the Anderson tight-binding model. We establish new characterizations or criteria for this region of complete localization, given either by the decay of eigenfunction correlations or by the decay of Fermi projections. (These are necessary and sufficient conditions for the random operator to exhibit complete localization in this energy region.) Using the first type of characterization we prove that in the region of complete localization the random operator has eigenvalues with finite multiplicity.     

Unusual transmission properties of wave in one-dimensional random system containing left-handed-material

Propagation properties of electromagnetic waves in a one-dimension random system containing left-handed-material are studied by the transfer matrix method. The statistics of the Lyapunov exponent and its variance of the transmitted waves are also analyzed. The nonlocalized modes are not only found in such a disordered system, the Anderson localization states with short localization length can also be easily realized due to the existence of low frequency resonant gap. Furthermore, our results also show that a single-parameter scaling is generally inadequate even for the complete random system with negative-n materials when the frequency we consider is located in a gap.     

Transverse or off-axis localization of electromagnetic waves in random one- and two-dimensional dielectric systems which are periodic on average

We study the transverse or off-axis localization of electromagnetic waves for several different random dielectric systems which are periodic on average. Unlike previous scalar wave treatments of transverse localization, in the present work we present results based on a full vector treatment of the electromagnetic fields based on Maxwell's equations. In a first system, we consider a random semi-infinite array of slabs with plane waves or finite beams of electromagnetic waves obliquely incident on the slab surfaces. The localization of the fields in a region near the surface of illumination is studied as a function of the oblique angle of incidence. In a second system, an array of semi-infinite slabs with random thickness is considered with an incident finite beam of electromagnetic waves initially directed parallel to the slab surfaces. The spreading of the beam width is computed as it propagates through the array of semi-infinite slabs. In a final system, we consider a semi-infinite array of random dielectric rods (2D system) with obliquely incident plane waves. The localization length of the plane-wave fields is computed as a function of the oblique angle of incidence and as a function of the strength of the disorder of the dielectric medium. All the random media we consider, when averaged over their randomness, are periodic on average. The above systems are studied for both p- and s-polarizations of incident electromagnetic waves, and the difference in the transverse localization of the electromagnetic field for these two polarizations is determined.     

Magnetic field effects on the localization of electromagnetic waves in random 1D systems which are almost periodic

The effects of an externally applied magnetic field on the Anderson localization of electromagnetic waves in an alternating layered system of vacuum and semiconducting slabs are studied. Specifically, a waveguide formed from perfectly conducting parallel plates which contain between them an array of vacuum and n-type semiconductor slabs is examined in the presence of an external static magnetic field applied parallel to both the plates and the slab surfaces. The widths of the slabs in the array are random but with a randomness such that the array of slabs is almost periodic, and we study only electromagnetic modes which propagate perpendicular to the slab surfaces. The localization length is obtained by studying the reflection and transmission properties of a finite array of slabs in the limit that it becomes semi-infinite. Two types of system are treated: (i) a reciprocal system which exhibits a localization length that does not depend on the sign of the applied magnetic field, and (ii) a non-reciprocal system which exhibits a localization length that depends on the sign of the applied magnetic field.     

Disorder in quantum vacuum: Casimir-induced localization of matter waves

Disordered geometrical boundaries such as rough surfaces induce important modifications to the mode spectrum of the electromagnetic quantum vacuum. In analogy to Anderson localization of waves induced by a random potential, here we show that the Casimir-Polder interaction between a cold atomic sample and a rough surface also produces localization phenomena. These effects, that represent a macroscopic manifestation of disorder in quantum vacuum, should be observable with Bose-Einstein condensates expanding in proximity of rough surfaces.     

Magnetic field effects on the localization of electromagnetic waves in random 1D systems which are almost periodic

Abstract

The effects of an externally applied magnetic field on the Anderson localization of electromagnetic waves in an alternating layered system of vacuum and semiconducting slabs are studied. Specifically, a waveguide formed from perfectly conducting parallel plates which contain between them an array of vacuum and n-type semiconductor slabs is examined in the presence of an external static magnetic field applied parallel to both the plates and the slab surfaces. The widths of the slabs in the array are random but with a randomness such that the array of slabs is almost periodic, and we study only electromagnetic modes which propagate perpendicular to the slab surfaces. The localization length is obtained by studying the reflection and transmission properties of a finite array of slabs in the limit that it becomes semi-infinite. Two types of system are treated: (i) a reciprocal system which exhibits a localization length that does not depend on the sign of the applied magnetic field, and (ii) a non-reciprocal system which exhibits a localization length that depends on the sign of the applied magnetic field.     

The Canopy Graph and Level Statistics for Random Operators on Trees

For operators with homogeneous disorder, it is generally expected that there is a relation between the spectral characteristics of a random operator in the infinite setup and the distribution of the energy gaps in its finite volume versions, in corresponding energy ranges. Whereas pure point spectrum of the infinite operator goes along with Poisson level statistics, it is expected that purely absolutely continuous spectrum would be associated with gap distributions resembling the corresponding random matrix ensemble. We prove that on regular rooted trees, which exhibit both spectral types, the eigenstate point process has always Poissonian limit. However, we also find that this does not contradict the picture described above if that is carefully interpreted, as the relevant limit of finite trees is not the infinite homogenous tree graph but rather a single-ended ‘canopy graph.’ For this tree graph, the random Schrödinger operator is proven here to have only pure-point spectrum at any strength of the disorder. For more general single-ended trees it is shown that the spectrum is always singular – pure point possibly with singular continuous component which is proven to occur in some cases.     

A General Framework for Localization of Classical Waves: I. Inhomogeneous Media and Defect Eigenmodes

We introduce a general framework for studying the localization of classical waves in inhomogeneous media, which encompasses acoustic waves with position dependent compressibility and mass density, elastic waves with position dependent Lamé moduli and mass density, and electromagnetic waves with position dependent magnetic permeability and dielectric constant. We also allow for anisotropy. We develop mathematical methods to study wave localization in inhomogeneous media. We show localization for local perturbations (defects) of media with a spectral gap, and study midgap eigenmodes.     

Anderson localization for radial tree-like random quantum graphs

We prove that certain random models associated with radial, tree-like, rooted quantum graphs exhibit Anderson localization at all energies. The two main examples are the random length model (RLM) and the random Kirchhoff model (RKM). In the RLM, the lengths of each generation of edges form a family of independent, identically distributed random variables (iid). For the RKM, the iid random variables are associated with each generation of vertices and moderate the current flow through the vertex. We consider extensions to various families of decorated graphs and prove stability of localization with respect to decoration. In particular, we prove Anderson localization for the random necklace model.     

Anderson Transitions for a Family of Almost Periodic Schrödinger Equations in the Adiabatic Case

This work is devoted to the study of a family of almost periodic one-dimensional Schr?dinger equations. Using results on the asymptotic behavior of a corresponding monodromy matrix in the adiabatic limit, we prove the existence of an asymptotically sharp Anderson transition in the low energy region. More explicitly, we prove the existence of energy intervals containing only singular spectrum, and of other energy intervals containing absolutely continuous spectrum; the zones containing singular spectrum and those containing absolutely continuous are separated by asymptotically sharp transitions. The analysis may be viewed as utilizing a complex WKB method for adiabatic perturbations of periodic Schr?dinger equations. The transition energies are interpreted in terms of phase space tunneling. Received: 2 July 2001 / Accepted: 13 November 2001     

Towards a new proof of Anderson localization

The wave function of a non-relativistic particle in a periodic potential admits oscillatory solutions, the Bloch waves. In the presence of a random noise contribution to the potential the wave function is localized. We outline a new proof of this Anderson localization phenomenon in one spatial dimension, extending the classical result to the case of a periodic background potential. The proof makes use of techniques previously developed to study the effects of noise on reheating in inflationary cosmology, employing methods of random matrix theory.