Nonreciprocal Anderson localization in one-dimensional ternary disordered media containing magnetized plasma layers

Abstract

This paper proposes a one-dimensional random structure composed of three types of alternating layers of dielectric and magnetized plasma materials. By employing the transfer matrix method, the localization lengths of the waves propagating in opposite directions are calculated. The numerical results demonstrate that nonreciprocal features appear in the averaged localization length and individual transmission resonances. However, in the short wavelength regime, the nonreciprocal behavior of the averaged localization length disappears, and the maximum of differential transmission decreases. The author investigates the effects of the external magnetic field, incident angle, collision frequency, and plasma density of the plasma layer on the reciprocal properties. The frequencies at which nonreciprocity occurs depend on the external magnetic field. Thus, it is possible to realize a photonic diode that is tunable with the external magnetic field. Also found is that for small angles of incidence no significant difference exists between the localization lengths of the forward and backward waves. There is a lower limit for the plasma density of the magnetized plasma layers to obtain nonreciprocal Anderson localization. As the collision frequency increases, the nonreciprocal features of the proposed random system survive.