Distribution of reflection coefficients in absorbing chaotic microwave cavities.

The distribution of reflection coefficients P(R) for chaotic microwave cavities with time-reversal symmetry is investigated in different absorption and antenna coupling regimes. For all regimes the agreement between experimental distributions and random-matrix theory predictions is very good, provided both the antenna coupling T(a) and the wall absorption strength T(w) are taken into account in an appropriate way. These parameters are determined by independent experimental quantities.