A sequence of electronic phase shifters and partial reflectors/transmitters is shown to form a true periodic scattering structure for electronic signals, complete with stop bands, interference, and dispersion effects. An experimental demonstration at 1kHz is made with supporting theoretical results. As with conventional periodic media, sharp defect modes in the forbidden band arise when the periodicity is broken. When gain is added to the structure, a type of lasing action is observed that in almost every aspect is similar to conventional lasers.

It is shown that the physical properties of a periodic medium are sensitive not only to disorder but also to whether disorder is random or not. Based on this property, the authors propose and demonstrate a method to analyze the randomness of data, to detect information content, and to recognize patterns. When data are encoded by means of defects on a periodic lattice, the transmission at a single frequency reveals possible deviations from true randomness, allowing for information content to be measured. This nonlogical (noncomputational) method for data analysis shows potential for signal analysis, pattern recognition, and cryptography.