Exact solutions for spectra and Green's functions in random one-dimensional systems

For chains of harmonic oscillators with random masses a set of equations is derived, which determine the spatial Fourier components of the average one-particle Green's function. These equations are valid for complex values of the frequency. A relation between the spectral density and functions introduced by Schmidt is discussed. Exact solutions for this Green's function and the less complicated characteristics function-the analytic continuation into the complex frequency plane of the accumulated spectral density and the inverse localization length of the eigenfunctions-are derived for exponential distributions of the masses. For some cases the characteristic function is calculated numerically. For gamma distributions the equations are cast in the form of ordinary, higher order differential equations; these have been solved numerically for determining the characteristic function. For arbitrary mass distributions a cumulant expansion and a peculiar symmetry of the Green's function are discussed.