Anderson localization of light in PT-symmetric optical lattices

Abstract

Anderson localization (AL) of light is investigated numerically in a disordered parity-time (PT)-symmetric potential, in the form of an optical lattice. The lattice is recorded in a nonlinear medium with Kerr nonlinearity. We demonstrate enhancement of light localization in a PT-symmetric lattice, as compared to the localization in the corresponding real lattice. The effect of strength of the gain-loss component in the PT lattice on various regimes of AL is also discussed. It is found that the localization exists and is further enhanced above the threshold strength of the imaginary part of the potential. The influence of nonlinearity and disorder level on the transverse localization of light in such a complex-valued potential is addressed.