Full transmission of vectorial waves through 3D multiple-scattering media

TL;DR

This paper demonstrates the existence of open channels in 3D vectorial disordered media using advanced full-wave simulations, confirming predictions from random matrix theory and exploring the effects of polarization and illumination control.

Contribution

It introduces a novel simulation method to compute the scattering matrix from 3D Maxwell's equations and verifies the presence of open channels in 3D systems, extending prior 2D scalar studies.

Findings

Open channels exist in 3D vectorial disordered media.

Bimodal transmission eigenvalue distribution is observed.

Effects of incomplete polarization control are analyzed.

Abstract

A striking prediction from the random matrix theory in mesoscopic physics is the existence of "open channels": waves that can use multipath interference to achieve perfect transmission across an opaque disordered medium even in the multiple-scattering regime. Realization of such open channels requires a coherent control of the complete incident wavefront. To date, the open channels have only been demonstrated in scalar two-dimensional (2D) structures, both experimentally and with numerical studies. Here, we utilize a recently proposed "augmented partial factorization" full-wave simulation method to compute the scattering matrix from 3D vectorial Maxwell's equations and demonstrate the existence of open channels in 3D disordered media. We examine the spatial profile of such open channels, demonstrate the existence of a bimodal transmission eigenvalue distribution with full control, and study the effects of incomplete polarization control and of a finite illumination area. This study confirms the validity of the random matrix theory in vectorial systems. The simulation framework provides full access to the complex multi-channel wave transport in 3D disordered systems, filling the gap left by experimental capabilities.