Localization of electromagnetic waves in a two dimensional random medium

TL;DR

This paper investigates the phenomenon of electromagnetic wave localization in a two-dimensional disordered system of dipoles, demonstrating that spatial localization can occur and is distinguishable from absorption effects.

Contribution

It introduces a first-principles self-consistent approach to study electromagnetic localization in 2D random media, accounting for all multiple scattering orders.

Findings

Spatially localized electromagnetic waves are possible in 2D disordered systems.

Localization is characterized by a coherent behavior distinct from absorption.

The approach provides a realistic model for wave localization phenomena.

Abstract

Motivated by previous investigations on the radiative effects of the electric dipoles embedded in structured cavities, localization of electromagnetic waves in two dimensions is studied {\it ab initio} for a system consisting of many randomly distributed two dimensional dipoles. A set of self-consistent equations, incorporating all orders of multiple scattering of the electromagnetic waves, is derived from first principles and then solved numerically for the total electromagnetic field. The results show that spatially localized electromagnetic waves are possible in such a simple but realistic disordered system. When localization occurs, a coherent behavior appears and is revealed as a unique property differentiating localization from either the residual absorption or the attenuation effects.