Chaotic scattering with localized losses: S-matrix zeros and reflection time difference for systems with broken time-reversal invariance

Superuniversal Statistics of Complex Time Delays in Non-Hermitian Scattering Systems

The Wigner-Smith time delay of flux conserving systems is a real quantity that measures how long an excitation resides in an interaction region. The complex generalization of time delay to non-Hermitian systems is still under development, in particular, its statistical properties in the short-wavelength limit of complex chaotic scattering systems has not been investigated. From the experimentally measured multiport scattering (S) matrices of one-dimensional graphs, a two-dimensional billiard, and a three-dimensional cavity, we calculate the complex Wigner-Smith (τ_{WS}), as well as each individual reflection (τ_{xx}) and transmission (τ_{xy}) time delay. The complex reflection time-delay differences (τ_{δR}) between each port are calculated, and the transmission time-delay differences (τ_{δT}) are introduced for systems exhibiting nonreciprocal scattering. Large time delays are associated with scattering singularities such as coherent perfect absorption, reflectionless scattering, slow light, and unidirectional invisibility. We demonstrate that the large-delay tails of the distributions of the real and imaginary parts of each time-delay quantity are superuniversal, independent of experimental parameters: wave propagation dimension D, number of scattering channels M, Dyson symmetry class β, and uniform attenuation η. The tails determine the abundance of the singularities in generic scattering systems, and the superuniversality is in direct contrast with the well-established time-delay statistics of unitary scattering systems, where the tail of the τ_{WS} distribution depends explicitly on the values of M and β. We relate the distribution statistics to the topological properties of the corresponding singularities. Although the results presented here are based on classical microwave experiments, they are applicable to any non-Hermitian wave-chaotic scattering system in the short-wavelength limit, such as optical or acoustic resonators.

Use of transmission and reflection complex time delays to reveal scattering matrix poles and zeros: Example of the ring graph

We identify the poles and zeros of the scattering matrix of a simple quantum graph by means of systematic measurement and analysis of Wigner, transmission, and reflection complex time delays. We examine the ring graph because it displays both shape and Feshbach resonances, the latter of which arises from an embedded eigenstate on the real frequency axis. Our analysis provides a unified understanding of the so-called shape, Feshbach, electromagnetically induced transparency, and Fano resonances on the basis of the distribution of poles and zeros of the scattering matrix in the complex frequency plane. It also provides a first-principles understanding of sharp resonant scattering features and associated large time delay in a variety of practical devices, including photonic microring resonators, microwave ring resonators, and mesoscopic ring-shaped conductor devices. Our analysis involves use of the reflection time difference, as well as a comprehensive use of complex time delay, to analyze experimental scattering data.

Statistics of Complex Wigner Time Delays as a Counter of S-Matrix Poles: Theory and Experiment

We study the statistical properties of the complex generalization of Wigner time delay τ_{W} for subunitary wave-chaotic scattering systems. We first demonstrate theoretically that the mean value of the Re[τ_{W}] distribution function for a system with uniform absorption strength η is equal to the fraction of scattering matrix poles with imaginary parts exceeding η. The theory is tested experimentally with an ensemble of microwave graphs with either one or two scattering channels and showing broken time-reversal invariance and variable uniform attenuation. The experimental results are in excellent agreement with the developed theory. The tails of the distributions of both real and imaginary time delay are measured and are also found to agree with theory. The results are applicable to any practical realization of a wave-chaotic scattering system in the short-wavelength limit, including quantum wires and dots, acoustic and electromagnetic resonators, and quantum graphs.

Generalization of Wigner time delay to subunitary scattering systems

We introduce a complex generalization of the Wigner time delay τ for subunitary scattering systems. Theoretical expressions for complex time delays as a function of excitation energy, uniform and nonuniform loss, and coupling are given. We find very good agreement between theory and experimental data taken on microwave graphs containing an electronically variable lumped-loss element. We find that the time delay and the determinant of the scattering matrix share a common feature in that the resonant behavior in Re[τ] and Im[τ] serves as a reliable indicator of the condition for coherent perfect absorption (CPA). By reinforcing the concept of time delays in lossy systems this work provides a means to identify the poles and zeros of the scattering matrix from experimental data. The results also enable an approach to achieving CPA at an arbitrary frequency in complex scattering systems.

Perfect absorption in complex scattering systems with or without hidden symmetries

Wavefront shaping (WFS) schemes for efficient energy deposition in weakly lossy targets is an ongoing challenge for many classical wave technologies relevant to next-generation telecommunications, long-range wireless power transfer, and electromagnetic warfare. In many circumstances these targets are embedded inside complicated enclosures which lack any type of (geometric or hidden) symmetry, such as complex networks, buildings, or vessels, where the hypersensitive nature of multiple interference paths challenges the viability of WFS protocols. We demonstrate the success of a general WFS scheme, based on coherent perfect absorption (CPA) electromagnetic protocols, by utilizing a network of coupled transmission lines with complex connectivity that enforces the absence of geometric symmetries. Our platform allows for control of the local losses inside the network and of the violation of time-reversal symmetry via a magnetic field; thus establishing CPA beyond its initial concept as the time-reversal of a laser cavity, while offering an opportunity for better insight into CPA formation via the implementation of semiclassical tools.