Anderson localization induced by structural disorder

TL;DR

This paper investigates how structural disorder in three-dimensional lattices can induce Anderson localization, showing that such disorder causes a transition from metallic to localized phases similar to traditional onsite disorder.

Contribution

It introduces a new class of structurally disordered lattice models where wave interference leads to localization, expanding understanding beyond onsite disorder mechanisms.

Findings

Localization transition occurs with increasing structural disorder

Transition belongs to same universality class as onsite disorder localization

Structural disorder can inhibit transport and induce phase transition

Abstract

We examine the onset of Anderson localization in three-dimensional systems with structural disorder in the form of lattice irregularities and in the absence of any on-site disordered potential. Analyzing two models with distinct types of lattice regularities, we show that the Anderson localization transition occurs when the strength of the structural disorder is smoothly increased. Performing finite-size scaling analysis of the results, we show that the transition belongs to the same universality class as regular Anderson localization induced by onsite disorder. Our work identifies a new class of structurally disordered lattice models in which destructive interference of matter waves may inhibit transport and lead to a transition between metallic and localized phases.