Anderson Localization in Dissipative Lattices

Anderson localization predicts that wave spreading in disordered lattices can come to a complete halt, providing a universal mechanism for dynamical localization. In the one-dimensional Hermitian Anderson model with uncorrelated diagonal disorder, there is a one-to-one correspondence between dynamical localization and spectral localization, that is, the exponential localization of all the Hamiltonian eigenfunctions. This correspondence can be broken when dealing with disordered dissipative lattices. When the system exchanges particles with the surrounding environment and random fluctuations of the dissipation are introduced, spectral localization is observed but without dynamical localization. Previous studies consider lattices with mixed conservative (Hamiltonian) and dissipative dynamics and are restricted to a semiclassical analysis. However, Anderson localization in purely dissipative lattices, displaying an entirely Lindbladian dynamics, remains largely unexplored. Here the purely-dissipative Anderson model in the framework of a Lindblad master equation is considered, and it is shown that, akin to the semiclassical models with conservative hopping and random dissipation, one observes dynamical delocalization in spite of strong spectral localization of the Liouvillian superoperator. This result is very distinct from delocalization observed in the Anderson model with dephasing, where dynamical delocalization arises from the delocalization of the stationary state of the Liouvillian.

Automated summary

Anderson localization predicts that wave spreading in disordered lattices can stop completely, providing a universal mechanism for dynamical localization. In the one-dimensional Hermitian Anderson model, there is a correspondence between dynamical and spectral localization. However, this correspondence may be broken in disordered dissipative lattices.