Wave transport and venous-like mode formation in correlated disordered freeform 2D metagratings

Abstract

The study of wave propagation in disordered media has attracted considerable attention due to its impact on optical transport and resonance behavior. In this work, we investigate how correlated disorder in freeform 2D metagratings influences the formation of eigenmodes and the transmission of waves, drawing an analogy to vein-like networks found in biological systems, such as slime molds forming intricate pathways. Using a combination of numerical simulations and theoretical analysis, we show that the eigenmodes induced by freeform correlated disorders can either boost or hinder extraordinary optical transmission (EOT). Additionally, by precisely adjusting a threshold parameter that controls the volume fraction of composite material’s constituents, we show that seemingly random channel patterns can evolve into distinct transmission routes, enabling the controlled propagation of an incident linearly polarized plane wave.