journal article·2026-04Open access

Electromagnetic Wave Localization in One‐Dimensional Hyperuniform Disordered Structures

Alexander Meek, Marian Florescu

Advanced Optical Materials· Volume 14· Issue 16

Abstract

ABSTRACT Hyperuniform disordered geometries are reshaping the design landscape of photonic materials by combining the attributes of order and randomness. Hyperuniformity suppresses large‐scale density fluctuations while maintaining statistical isotropy, creating distinctive short‐ and medium‐range correlations among scattering elements. These correlations can generate photonic band gaps, promote strong light confinement, and give rise to regimes of perfect transparency, revealing regimes of wave propagation that transcend both crystalline and random systems. Here, we present a new perspective on electromagnetic localization in 1D hyperuniform disordered structures. By analysing how hyperuniform correlations shape the spatial orgafnization of point patterns, we show that 1D systems can sustain exceptionally persistent short‐range order compared with their 2‐ and 3‐D counterparts, with major implications for photon transport and localization. To control the influence of these correlations, we introduce a soft‐core repulsive potential as a controlled adjustment to the point distributions. This constraint alters the short‐range ordering, uncovering an intricate and tunable nature of the hyperuniform disordered class of configurations. Our exploration of stealthy hyperuniform configurations uncovers the intricate interplay between correlated disorder and photonic transport and localization. We find that both the spatial extent and spectral composition of localized modes and the nature of transport regimes are strongly modulated by the degree of hyperuniformity. Remarkably, photon transport exhibits robust scaling behavior even under highly correlated disorder, highlighting its resilience to complex structural fluctuations. A disorder‐resolved analysis of electromagnetic eigenstates substantiates this robustness, providing a microscopic perspective on the mechanisms that drive and regulate wave localization in hyperuniform disordered media.
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Research context

OpenAlex topics: Random lasers and scattering media · Metamaterials and Metasurfaces Applications · Photonic Crystals and Applications

SciVX discovery tags are terminology-based. OpenAlex topics are source-provided classifications.

Affiliations

Optoelectronics Research Centre University of Southampton Southampton UK

Advanced Technology Institute and Department of Physics University of Surrey Surrey UK

Funding

Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council

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