We calculate the entire distribution of the conductance $P\left(G\right)$ of a one-dimensional disordered system—quantum wire—subject to a time-dependent field. Our calculations are based on Floquet theory and a scaling approach to localization. Effects of the applied ac field on the conductance statistics can be strong and in some cases dramatic, as in the high-frequency regime where the conductance distribution shows a sharp cutoff. In this frequency regime, the conductance is written as a product of a frequency-dependent term and a field-independent term, the latter containing the information on the disorder in the wire. We thus use the solution of the Mel’nikov equation for time-independent transport to calculate $P\left(G\right)$ at any degree of disorder. At lower frequencies, it is found that the conductance distribution and the correlations of the transmission Floquet modes are described by a solution of the Dorokhov-Mello-Pereyra-Kumar equation with an effective number of channels. In the regime of strong localization, induced by the disorder or the ac field, $P\left(G\right)$ is a log-normal distribution. Our theoretical results are verified numerically using a single-band Anderson Hamiltonian.

• Received 26 March 2010

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevB.81.195415