Topology in the random scattering of light
Abstract Light scattering in random media is usually considered within the framework of the three-dimensional Anderson universality class, with modifications for the vector nature of electromagnetic waves. We propose that the linear dispersiveness of light introduces topological aspects into the pic...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Nature Portfolio
2025-07-01
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| Series: | Communications Physics |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1038/s42005-025-02191-1 |
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| _version_ | 1849343292301377536 |
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| author | Tobias Micklitz Alexander Altland |
| author_facet | Tobias Micklitz Alexander Altland |
| author_sort | Tobias Micklitz |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Light scattering in random media is usually considered within the framework of the three-dimensional Anderson universality class, with modifications for the vector nature of electromagnetic waves. We propose that the linear dispersiveness of light introduces topological aspects into the picture. The dynamics of electromagnetic waves follow the same differential equations as those of a spin-1 Weyl semimetal. In the presence of disorder, this equivalence leads to a range of phenomena explored in this paper. These include topological protection against localization when helicity hybridization is weak, the emergence of exotic phases in weakly scattering media, and anomalies in optical transparency in the presence of synthetic ‘magnetic fields’. We argue that some of these effects should be visible and investigated already in weakly disordered optical materials. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-142893e1ef0940ea8bdc8660cc6b642d |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2399-3650 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-07-01 |
| publisher | Nature Portfolio |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Communications Physics |
| spelling | doaj-art-142893e1ef0940ea8bdc8660cc6b642d2025-08-20T03:43:02ZengNature PortfolioCommunications Physics2399-36502025-07-01811810.1038/s42005-025-02191-1Topology in the random scattering of lightTobias Micklitz0Alexander Altland1Centro Brasileiro de Pesquisas FísicasInstitut für Theoretische Physik, Universität zu KölnAbstract Light scattering in random media is usually considered within the framework of the three-dimensional Anderson universality class, with modifications for the vector nature of electromagnetic waves. We propose that the linear dispersiveness of light introduces topological aspects into the picture. The dynamics of electromagnetic waves follow the same differential equations as those of a spin-1 Weyl semimetal. In the presence of disorder, this equivalence leads to a range of phenomena explored in this paper. These include topological protection against localization when helicity hybridization is weak, the emergence of exotic phases in weakly scattering media, and anomalies in optical transparency in the presence of synthetic ‘magnetic fields’. We argue that some of these effects should be visible and investigated already in weakly disordered optical materials.https://doi.org/10.1038/s42005-025-02191-1 |
| spellingShingle | Tobias Micklitz Alexander Altland Topology in the random scattering of light Communications Physics |
| title | Topology in the random scattering of light |
| title_full | Topology in the random scattering of light |
| title_fullStr | Topology in the random scattering of light |
| title_full_unstemmed | Topology in the random scattering of light |
| title_short | Topology in the random scattering of light |
| title_sort | topology in the random scattering of light |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1038/s42005-025-02191-1 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT tobiasmicklitz topologyintherandomscatteringoflight AT alexanderaltland topologyintherandomscatteringoflight |