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  • Letter
  • Open Access

Defect-driven incoherent skin localization

Emmanouil T. Kokkinakis, Konstantinos G. Makris*, and Eleftherios N. Economou

  • *Contact author: makris@physics.uoc.gr
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Phys. Rev. Research 8, L012024 – Published 26 January, 2026

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1103/zpcs-5ryv

Abstract

The process of dephasing during wave evolution has traditionally been viewed as an obstacle to localization, leading to diffusion even in strongly disordered Hermitian lattices. In contrast, here we demonstrate how the interplay of dephasing with non-Hermitian defects can be harnessed to engineer wave localization. Specifically, we identify a dynamical localization phenomenon characterized by wave function accumulation at the lattice’s boundary due solely to dephasing, despite globally reciprocal couplings. Furthermore, we study the incoherent skin effect arising from coupling asymmetry and investigate the interplay between these antagonistic localization mechanisms. By reframing dephasing from a hindrance into a tool, this study overturns established paradigms of wave localization and paves the way for unconventional approaches to control localization phenomena in non-Hermitian physics.

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Phys. Rev. Research 8, L012024– Published 26 January, 2026
  • Received 2 August 2025
  • Accepted 21 October 2025
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