Photon Localization in a nematic Liquid Crystal

Over 50 years ago Anderson\footnote{ P. W. Anderson, \textit{Phys. Rev. }\textbf{109}, 1492 (1958). } described a process whereby electrons can be localized due to multiple interference caused by scattering from defects. Nearly 25 years later John\footnote{ S. John, \textit{Phys. Rev. Lett. }\textbf{53}, 2169 (1984). } and Anderson\footnote{ P. W. Anderson, \textit{Philos. Mag. B }\textbf{52}, 505 (1985). } suggested that light can also be localized in highly scattering media. Such highly scattering systems typically have extremely high absorption, complicating efforts to verify localization. We report transmitted light intensity measurements in a nematic liquid crystal that shows clear evidence for strong localization.