Localization, Delocalization, and Diffusion in Disordered Systems (26w5634)

The Banff International Research Station will host the "Localization, Delocalization, and Diffusion in Disordered Systems"  workshop  in  Banff  from March 8 to March 13, 2026.

The behavior of waves and particles in random media lies at the heart of physical systems as diverse as semiconductors and vapor deposition. Important features of such systems often hinge on a dichotomy between "localization'' and "delocalization." In a localizing system, strong fluctuations in the random medium trap particles in a small number of highly favored configurations. In contrast, when a system exhibits delocalization, particles escape local traps and spread relatively evenly throughout the medium. The presence or absence of localization strongly influences significant physical properties such as the electronic structure of semiconductors.

Mathematically, the characterization of localization and delocalization is a rich and delicate problem. Many disciplines, including probability, the analysis of partial differential equations, and mathematical physics, offer tools to tackle localization questions. This workshop will convene researchers from across these fields to share new techniques, explore common questions, and initiate novel lines of research. Moreover, the workshop is designed to nurture a community of early-career researchers who are comfortable communicating and collaborating across disciplines.

The Banff International Research Station for Mathematical Innovation and Discovery (BIRS) is a collaborative Canada-US-Mexico venture that provides an environment for creative interaction as well as the exchange of ideas, knowledge, and methods within the Mathematical Sciences, with related disciplines and with industry. The research station is located at The Banff Centre in Alberta and is supported by Canada's Natural Science and Engineering Research Council (NSERC), the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) and Alberta's Technology and Innovation.