Random magnetic flux problem in a quantum wire

The random magnetic-flux problem on a lattice in a quasi-one-dimensional (w ire) geometry is studied both analytically and numerically. The first two m oments of the conductance are obtained analytically. Numerical simulations for the average and variance of the conductance agree with the theory. We f ind that the center of the band epsilon=0 plays a special role. Away from e psilon=0, transport properties are those of a disordered quantum wire in th e standard unitary symmetry class. At the band center epsilon=0, the depend ence on the wire length of the conductance departs from the standard unitar y symmetry class and is governed by a different universality class, the chi ral unitary symmetry class. The most remarkable property of this universali ty class is the existence of an even-odd effect in the localized regime: Ex ponential decay of the average conductance for an even number of channels i s replaced by algebraic decay for an odd number of channels. [S0163-1829(99 )06419-X].