Distribution of reflection coefficients in absorbing chaotic microwave cavities

TL;DR

This paper investigates the distribution of reflection coefficients in absorbing chaotic microwave cavities with time-reversal symmetry, demonstrating good agreement with random matrix theory when accounting for antenna coupling and wall absorption.

Contribution

It provides experimental validation of random matrix theory predictions for reflection coefficient distributions in absorbing chaotic cavities, considering realistic coupling and absorption parameters.

Findings

Experimental distributions match random matrix theory predictions

Proper accounting of antenna coupling and absorption is essential

Parameters are determined by independent measurements

Abstract

The distributions of the reflection coefficients $P(R)$ for chaotic microwave cavities with time-reversal symmetry are investigated in different absorption and antenna coupling regimes. In all investigated regimes the agreement between the experimental distributions and random matrix result is very good, provided both the antenna coupling $T_a$ and wall absorption strength $T_w$ are properly accounted for. Those parameters are determined by independent experimental quantities.