Wave propagation in disordered media

Abstract

Abstract This paper gives a brief overview of the physics of waves in random media. It begins by reviewing some of the basics of wave physics and then discusses waves in situations of increasing randomness, beginning with scintillation of light passing through an inhomogeneous medium, photon scattering and diffusion, stochastic wave amplification, Anderson localization of waves in random media, and nonlinear wave physics where waves induce randomness in the medium. A number of physical examples of each phenomenon are discussed to illustrate the physics and demonstrate the practical importance of the effects considered.