Localization-delocalization in aperiodic systems

The question of localization in a one-dimensional tight-binding model with aperiodicity given by substitutions is discussed. Since the localization properties of the well-known Rudin-Shapiro chain is still far from well understood, partly due to the absence of rigorous analytical results, we introduce a sequence that has several features in common with the Rudin-Shapiro sequence. We derive a trace map for this system and prove analytically that the electron spectrum is singular continuous. Despite the extended (non-normalizable) nature of the corresponding wave functions, the states show strong localization for finite approximations of the chain. Similar localization properties are found for the Rudin-Shapiro chain, where earlier results have indicated a pure point spectrum. We compare the properties for two other physical systems, ordered according to the two discussed sequences; stationary electron transmission is studied through finite chains using a dynamical map, optical properties of dielectric multilayer structures are investigated.