We analyze a 1-d ring structure composed of many two-level systems, in the
limit where only one excitation is present. The two-level systems are coupled
to a common environment, where the excitation can be lost, which induces super
and subradiant behavior, an example of cooperative quantum coherent effect. We
consider time-independent random fluctuations of the excitation energies. This
static disorder, also called inhomogeneous broadening in literature, induces
Anderson localization and is able to quench Superradiance. We identify two
different regimes: i) weak opening, in which Superradiance is quenched at the
same critical disorder at which the states of the closed system localize; ii)
strong opening, with a critical disorder strength proportional to both the
system size and the degree of opening, displaying robustness of cooperativity
to disorder. Relevance to photosynthetic complexes is discussed.Comment: 12 pages, 7 figs., Superradiance, Anderson Localization, Cooperative
effects. Accepted for publication in Phys. Rev.
