arXiv subjects

Liyi Zhao

Publications and source records attributed to Liyi Zhao.

5 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2019

Super-universality of eigenchannel structures and possible optical applications

The propagation of waves through transmission eigenchannels in complex media is emerging as a new frontier of condensed matter and wave physics. A crucial step towards constructing a complete theory of eigenchannels is to demonstrate their spatial structure in any dimension and their wave-coherence nature. Here, we show a surprising result in this direction. Specifically, we find that as the width of diffusive samples increases transforming from quasi one-dimensional ($1$D) to two-dimensional ($2$D) geometry, notwithstanding the dramatic changes in the transverse (with respect to the direction of propagation) intensity distribution of waves propagating in such channels, the dependence of intensity on the longitudinal coordinate does not change and is given by the same analytical expression as that for quasi-$1$D. Furthermore, with a minimal modification, the expression describes also the spatial structures of localized resonances in strictly $1$D random systems. It is thus suggested that the underlying physics of eigenchannels might include super-universal key ingredients: they are not only universal with respect to the disorder ensemble and the dimension, but also of $1$D nature and closely related to the resonances. Our findings open up a way to tailor the spatial energy density distribution in opaque materials.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2018

Concentration-of-measure theory for structures and fluctuations of waves

The emergence of nonequilibrium phenomena in individual complex wave systems has long been of fundamental interests. Its analytic studies remain notoriously difficult. Using the mathematical tool of the concentration of measure (CM), we develop a theory for structures and fluctuations of waves in individual disordered media. We find that, for both diffusive and localized waves, fluctuations associated with the change in incoming waves ("wave-to-wave" fluctuations) exhibit a new kind of universalities, which does not exist in conventional mesoscopic fluctuations associated with the change in disorder realizations ("sample-to-sample" fluctuations), and originate from the coherence between the natural channels of waves -- the transmission eigenchannels. Using the results obtained for wave-to-wave fluctuations, we find the criterion for almost all stationary scattering states to exhibit the same spatial structure such as the diffusive steady state. We further show that the expectations of observables at stationary scattering states are independent of incoming waves and given by their averages with respect to eigenchannels. This suggests the possibility of extending the studies of thermalization of closed systems to open systems, which provides new perspectives for the emergence of nonequilibrium statistical phenomena.

cond-mat.stat-mech↗

arXiv2017

Wave thermalization and its implications for nonequilibrium statistical mechanics

Understanding the rich spatial and temporal structures in nonequilibrium thermal environments is a major subject of statistical mechanics. Because universal laws, based on an ensemble of systems, are mute on an individual system, exploring nonequilibrium statistical mechanics and the ensuing universality in individual systems has long been of fundamental interest. Here, by adopting the wave description of microscopic motion, and combining the recently developed eigenchannel theory and the mathematical tool of the concentration of measure, we show that in a single complex medium, a universal spatial structure - the diffusive steady state - emerges from an overwhelming number of scattering eigenstates of the wave equation. Our findings suggest a new principle, dubbed "the wave thermalization", namely, a propagating wave undergoing complex scattering processes can simulate nonequilibrium thermal environments, and exhibit macroscopic nonequilibrium phenomena.

cond-mat.stat-mech↗

arXiv2016

Impact of surface reflection on transmission eigenvalue statistics and energy distributions inside random media

The impact of surface reflection upon transmission through and energy distributions within random media has generally been described in terms of the boundary extrapolation lengths $z_b, z_b'$ at the input and output end of an open sample, which are the distance beyond the sample surfaces at which the energy density within the sample extrapolates to zeroThe importance of reflection at the sample boundaries plays a key role in the scaling of transmission. Here we consider the impact of surface reflection on the propagation of diffusive waves in terms of the modification of the distribution of transmission eigenvalues (DTE). We review our finding of a transition in the analytical form of the DTE at the point that the sample length equals $|z_b-z_b'|$. The highest transmission eigenvalue for stronger asymmetry in boundary reflection is strictly smaller than unity. The average transmission and profiles of energy density inside the sample can still be described in terms of the sample length, $L$, and the boundary extrapolation lengths on both sides of the sample, $z_b, z_b'$. For localized waves, we find the energy density profile within the sample is a segment of the distribution that would be found in a longer sample with length $L+z_b+z_b'$. These results suggest new ways of controlling wave interference in both diffusive and localized systems by varying boundary reflectivity.

cond-mat.dis-nn↗

arXiv2015

Controlling transmission eigenchannels in random media by edge reflection

Transmission eigenchannels and associated eigenvalues, that give a full account of wave propagation in random media, have recently emerged as a major theme in theoretical and applied optics. Here we demonstrate, both analytically and numerically, that in quasi one-dimensional ($1$D) diffusive samples, their behavior is governed mostly by the asymmetry in the reflections of the sample edges rather than by the absolute values of the reflection coefficients themselves. We show that there exists a threshold value of the asymmetry parameter, below which high transmission eigenchannels exist, giving rise to a singularity in the distribution of the transmission eigenvalues, $ρ({\cal T}\rightarrow 1)\sim(1-{\cal T})^{-\frac{1}{2}}$. At the threshold, $ρ({\cal T})$ exhibits critical statistics with a distinct singularity $\sim(1-{\cal T})^{-\frac{1}{3}}$; above it the high transmission eigenchannels disappear and $ρ({\cal T})$ vanishes for ${\cal T}$ exceeding a maximal transmission eigenvalue. We show that such statistical behavior of the transmission eigenvalues can be explained in terms of effective cavities (resonators), analogous to those in which the states are trapped in $1$D strong Anderson localization. In particular, the $ρ( \mathcal{T}) $-transition can be mapped onto the shuffling of the resonator with perfect transmittance from the sample center to the edge with stronger reflection. We also find a similar transition in the distribution of resonant transmittances in $1$D layered samples. These results reveal a physical connection between high transmission eigenchannels in diffusive systems and $1$D strong Anderson localization. They open up a fresh opportunity for practically useful application: controlling the transparency of opaque media by tuning their coupling to the environment.

physics.optics↗