Resolved Anderson localization of light in dense three-dimensional dielectric disorder

Strong localization of light in 3D dielectric disorder is challenging to establish because localized contributions can be hidden by diffusive leakage and finite-sample loss.

We perform full-wave time-domain Maxwell simulations of dense high-index dielectric slabs and analyze late times after the diffusive component escapes.

Transmission develops a non-exponential tail, and an effective diffusion coefficient approaches localized-dynamics scaling.

Late-time spectra show narrow resonances with sub-unity mean Thouless conductance and Poisson-like spacings.

Time- and frequency-resolved near fields reveal compact non-propagating modal domains separated by persistent low-intensity channels and interacting weakly.

These converging signatures constitute finite-system evidence for resolved 3D Anderson localization, with the late-time field forming a self-organized, interference-defined confinement pattern.