Anomalous Anderson localization behavior in gain-loss balanced non-Hermitian systems

Abstract

AbstractIt has been shown recently that the backscattering of wave propagation in one-dimensional disordered media can be entirely suppressed for normal incidence by adding sample-specific gain and loss components to the medium. Here, we study the Anderson localization behaviors of electromagnetic waves in such gain-loss balanced random non-Hermitian systems when the waves are obliquely incident on the random media. We also study the case of normal incidence when the sample-specific gain-loss profile is slightly altered so that the Anderson localization occurs. Our results show that the Anderson localization in the non-Hermitian system behaves differently from random Hermitian systems in which the backscattering is suppressed.