Quantum Metric Scaling and Its Exceptions in Classical Flat Bands

Abstract

The quantum metric length has been proposed as the localization length scale in one-dimensional flat bands. Here, we study this quantum metric scaling and the exceptions to it in a classical flat band formed by a locally resonant mass--spring system. We find that the localization length follows the quantum metric length near the flat band but departs from this proportionality at the exact flat-band frequency. Selective mass disorder also produces divergent localization lengths or arbitrarily short tails near the flat-band frequency without changing the clean metric. These exceptions show that disorder can select localization scales beyond those predicted by the quantum metric alone.