Wave transport and localization in prime number landscapes

TL;DR

This paper investigates wave transport and localization in complex aperiodic structures based on prime number distributions in imaginary quadratic fields, revealing how structural complexity influences wave behavior and potential photonic applications.

Contribution

It introduces a novel analysis of wave localization in prime number-based structures using interdisciplinary methods, connecting number theory with wave physics.

Findings

Identification of a Delocalization-Localization Transition (DLT) in prime number structures.

Establishment of multifractal scaling of the local density of states.

Demonstration of strong coupling regimes for quantum emitters in these environments.

Abstract

In this paper, we study the wave transport and localization properties of novel aperiodic structures that manifest the intrinsic complexity of prime number distributions in imaginary quadratic fields. In particular, we address structure-property relationships and wave scattering through the prime elements of the nine imaginary quadratic fields (i.e., of their associated rings of integers) with class number one, which are unique factorization domains (UFDs). Our theoretical analysis combines the rigorous Green's matrix solution of the multiple scattering problem with the interdisciplinary methods of spatial statistics and graph theory analysis of point patterns to unveil the relevant structural properties that produce wave localization effects. The onset of a Delocalization-Localization Transition (DLT) is demonstrated by a comprehensive study of the spectral properties of the Green's matrix and the Thouless number as a function of their optical density. Furthermore, we employ Multifractal Detrended Fluctuation Analysis (MDFA) to establish the multifractal scaling of the local density of states in these complex structures and we discover a direct connection between localization, multifractality, and graph connectivity properties. Finally, we use a semi-classical approach to demonstrate and characterize the strong coupling regime of quantum emitters embedded in these novel aperiodic environments. Our study provides access to engineering design rules for the fabrication of novel and more efficient classical and quantum sources as well as photonic devices with enhanced light-matter interaction based on the intrinsic structural complexity of prime numbers in algebraic fields.