arXiv subjects

Valentin Freilikher

Publications and source records attributed to Valentin Freilikher.

12 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2018

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↗

arXiv2015

Hidden Modes in Open Disordered Media: Analytical, Numerical, and Experimental Results

We explore numerically, analytically, and experimentally the relationship between quasi-normal modes (QNMs) and transmission resonance (TR) peaks in the transmission spectrum of one-dimensional (1D) and quasi-1D open disordered systems. It is shown that for weak disorder there exist two types of the eigenstates: ordinary QNMs which are associated with a TR, and hidden QNMs which do not exhibit peaks in transmission or within the sample. The distinctive feature of the hidden modes is that unlike ordinary ones, their lifetimes remain constant in a wide range of the strength of disorder. In this range, the averaged ratio of the number of transmission peaks $N_{\rm res}$ to the number of QNMs $N_{\rm mod}$, $N_{\rm res}/N_{\rm mod}$, is insensitive to the type and degree of disorder and is close to the value $\sqrt{2/5}$, which we derive analytically in the weak-scattering approximation. The physical nature of the hidden modes is illustrated in simple examples with a few scatterers. The analogy between ordinary and hidden QNMs and the segregation of superradiant states and trapped modes is discussed. When the coupling to the environment is tuned by an external edge reflectors, the superradiace transition is reproduced. Hidden modes have been also found in microwave measurements in quasi-1D open disordered samples. The microwave measurements and modal analysis of transmission in the crossover to localization in quasi-1D systems give a ratio of $N_{\rm res}/N_{\rm mod}$ close to $\sqrt{2/5}$. In diffusive quasi-1D samples, however, $N_{\rm res}/N_{\rm mod}$ falls as the effective number of transmission eigenchannels $M$ increases. Once $N_{\rm mod}$ is divided by $M$, however, the ratio $N_{\rm res}/N_{\rm mod}$ is close to the ratio found in 1D.

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↗

arXiv2014

Disorder-induced mutation of quasi-normal modes in 1D open systems

We study the relation between quasi-normal modes (QNMs) and transmission resonances (TRs) in one-dimensional (1D) disordered systems. We show for the first time that while each maximum in the transmission coefficient is always related to a QNM, the reverse statement is not necessarily correct. There exists an intermediate state, at which only a part of the QNMs are localized and these QNMs provide a resonant transmission. The rest of the solutions of the eigenvalue problem (denoted as strange quasi-modes) are never found in regular open cavities and resonators, and arise exclusively due to random scatterings. Although these strange QNMs belong to a discrete spectrum, they are not localized and not associated with any anomalies in the transmission. The ratio of the number of the normal QNMs to the total number of QNMs is independent of the type of disorder, and slightly deviates from the constant $\sqrt{2/5}$ in rather large ranges of the strength of a single scattering and the length of the random sample.

cond-mat.dis-nn↗

arXiv2013

Ballistic charge transport in graphene and light propagation in periodic dielectric structures with metamaterials: a comparative study

We explore the optical properties of periodic layered media containing left-handed metamaterials. This study is based on several analogies between the propagation of light in metamaterials and charge transport in graphene. We derive the conditions for these two problems become equivalent, i.e., the equations and the boundary conditions when the corresponding wave functions coincide. We show that the photonic band-gap structure of a periodic system built of alternating left- and right-handed dielectric slabs contains conical singularities similar to the Dirac points in the energy spectrum of charged quasiparticles in graphene. Such singularities in the zone structure of the infinite systems give rise to rather unusual properties of light transport in finite samples. In an insightful numerical experiment (the propagation of a Gaussian beam through a mixed stack of normal and meta-dielectrics) we simultaneously demonstrate four Dirac point-induced anomalies: (i) diffusion-like decay of the intensity at forbidden frequencies, (ii) focusing and defocussing of the beam, (iii) absence of the transverse shift of the beam, and (iv) a spatial analogue of the Zitterbewegung effect. All of these phenomena take place in media with non-zero average refractive index, and can be tuned by changing either the geometrical and electromagnetic parameters of the sample,or the frequency and the polarization of light.

physics.optics↗

arXiv2012

Disorder-induced cavities, resonances, and lasing in randomly-layered media

We study, theoretically and experimentally, disorder-induced resonances in randomly-layered samples,and develop an algorithm for the detection and characterization of the effective cavities that give rise to these resonances. This algorithm enables us to find the eigen-frequencies and pinpoint the locations of the resonant cavities that appear in individual realizations of random samples, for arbitrary distributions of the widths and refractive indices of the layers. Each cavity is formed in a region whose size is a few localization lengths. Its eigen-frequency is independent of the location inside the sample, and does not change if the total length of the sample is increased by, for example, adding more scatterers on the sides. We show that the total number of cavities, $N_{\mathrm{cav}}$, and resonances, $N_{\mathrm{res}}$, per unit frequency interval is uniquely determined by the size of the disordered system and is independent of the strength of the disorder. In an active, amplifying medium, part of the cavities may host lasing modes whose number is less than $N_{\mathrm{res}}$. The ensemble of lasing cavities behaves as distributed feedback lasers, provided that the gain of the medium exceeds the lasing threshold, which is specific for each cavity. We present the results of experiments carried out with single-mode optical fibers with gain and randomly-located resonant Bragg reflectors (periodic gratings). When the fiber was illuminated by a pumping laser with an intensity high enough to overcome the lasing threshold, the resonances revealed themselves by peaks in the emission spectrum. Our experimental results are in a good agreement with the theory presented here.

cond-mat.dis-nn↗

arXiv2011

Electronic properties of mesoscopic graphene structures: charge confinement and control of spin and charge transport

This brief review discusses electronic properties of mesoscopic graphene-based structures. These allow controlling the confinement and transport of charge and spin; thus, they are of interest not only for fundamental research, but also for applications. The graphene-related topics covered here are: edges, nanoribbons, quantum dots, $pn$-junctions, $pnp$-structures, and quantum barriers and waveguides. This review is partly intended as a short introduction to graphene mesoscopics.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2010

Tunable electronic transport and unidirectional quantum wires in graphene subjected to electric and magnetic fields

Magnetic barriers in graphene are not easily tunable. However, introducing both electric and magnetic fields, provides tunable and far more controllable electronic states in graphene. Here we study such systems. A one-dimensional channel can be formed in graphene using perpendicular electric and magnetic fields. This channel (quantum wire) supports localized electron-hole states, with parameters that can be controlled by an electric field. Such quantum wire offers peculiar conducting properties, like unidirectional conductivity and robustness to disorder. Two separate quantum wires comprise a waveguide with two types of eigenmodes: one type is similar to traditional waveguides, the other type is formed by coupled surface waves propagating along the boundaries of the waveguide.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2008

Transport and localization in periodic and disordered graphene superlattices

We study charge transport in one-dimensional graphene superlattices created by applying layered periodic and disordered potentials. It is shown that the transport and spectral properties of such structures are strongly anisotropic. In the direction perpendicular to the layers, the eigenstates in a disordered sample are delocalized for all energies and provide a minimal non-zero conductivity, which cannot be destroyed by disorder, no matter how strong this is. However, along with extended states, there exist discrete sets of angles and energies with exponentially localized eigenfunctions (disorder-induced resonances). It is shown that, depending on the type of the unperturbed system, the disorder could either suppress or enhance the transmission. Most remarkable properties of the transmission have been found in graphene systems built of alternating p-n and n-p junctions. This transmission has anomalously narrow angular spectrum and, surprisingly, in some range of directions it is practically independent of the amplitude of fluctuations of the potential. Owing to these features, such samples could be used as building blocks in tunable electronic circuits. To better understand the physical implications of the results presented here, most of our results have been contrasted with those for analogous wave systems. Along with similarities, a number of quite surprising differences have been found.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2008

Unusual Resonators: Plasmonics, Metamaterials, and Random Media

Superresolution, extraordinary transmission, total absorption, and localization of electromagnetic waves are currently attracting growing attention. These phenomena are related to different physical objects and are usually studied within the context of different, sometimes rather sophisticated, physical approaches. Remarkably, all these seemingly unrelated phenomena owe their origin to the same underlying physical mechanism - wave interaction with an open resonator. Here we show that it is possible to describe all of these effects in a unified way, mapping each system onto a simple resonator model. Such description provides a thorough understanding of the phenomena, explains all the main features of their complex behaviour, and enables to control the system via the resonator parameters: eigenfrequencies, Q-factors, and coupling coefficients.

physics.optics↗

arXiv2007

Millimeter Wave Localization: Slow Light and Enhanced Absorption

We exploit millimeter wave technology to measure the reflection and transmission response of random dielectric media. Our samples are easily constructed from random stacks of identical, sub-wavelength quartz and Teflon wafers. The measurement allows us to observe the characteristic transmission resonances associated with localization. We show that these resonances give rise to enhanced attenuation even though the attenuation of homogeneous quartz and Teflon is quite low. We provide experimental evidence of disorder-induced slow light and superluminal group velocities, which, in contrast to photonic crystals, are not associated with any periodicity in the system. Furthermore, we observe localization even though the sample is only about four times the localization length, interpreting our data in terms of an effective cavity model. An algorithm for the retrieval of the internal parameters of random samples (localization length and average absorption rate) from the external measurements of the reflection and transmission coefficients is presented and applied to a particular random sample. The retrieved value of the absorption is in agreement with the directly measured value within the accuracy of the experiment.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2004

Localization of Classical Waves in Weakly Scattering Two-Dimensional Media with Anisotropic Disorder

We study the localization of classical waves in weakly scattering 2D systems with anisotropic disorder. The analysis is based on a perturbative path-integral technique combined with a spectral filtering that accounts for the first-order Bragg scattering only. It is shown that in the long-wavelength limit the radiation is always localized, and the localization length is independent of the direction of propagation, the latter in contrast to the predictions based on an anisotropic tight-binding model. For shorter wavelengths that are comparable to the correlation scales of the disorder, the transport properties of disordered media are essentially different in the directions along and across the correlation ellipse. There exists a frequency-dependent critical value of the anisotropy parameter, below which waves are localized at all angles of propagation. Above this critical value, the radiation is localized only within some angular sectors centered at the short axis of the correlation ellipse and is extended in other directions.

cond-mat.dis-nn↗