Experimental evidence of analogue Hawking radiation from ultrashort laser pulse filaments

Rubino, E., Belgiorno, F., Cacciatori, S.L., Clerici, M. , Gorini, V., Ortenzi, G., Rizzi, L., Sala, V.G., Kolesik, M. and Faccio, D. (2011) Experimental evidence of analogue Hawking radiation from ultrashort laser pulse filaments. New Journal of Physics, 13, 085005. (doi: 10.1088/1367-2630/13/8/085005) (PMID:21152381) (PMCID:PMC2997751)

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Abstract

Curved space–times and, in particular, event horizons of astrophysical black holes are expected to excite the quantum vacuum and give rise to an emission of quanta known as Hawking radiation. Remarkably, many physical systems may be considered analogous to black holes and as such hold promise for the detection of Hawking radiation. In particular, recent progress in the field of transformation optics, i.e. the description of optical systems in terms of curved space–time geometries, has led to a detailed description of methods for generating, via superluminal dielectrics, a blocking horizon for photons. Our measurements highlight the emission of photons from a moving refractive index perturbation induced by a laser pulse that is in quantitative agreement with the Hawking model. This opens an intriguing and readily accessible observation window into quantum field theory in curved space–time geometries.

Item Type:Articles
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:Clerici, Professor Matteo and Faccio, Professor Daniele
Authors: Rubino, E., Belgiorno, F., Cacciatori, S.L., Clerici, M., Gorini, V., Ortenzi, G., Rizzi, L., Sala, V.G., Kolesik, M., and Faccio, D.
College/School:College of Science and Engineering > School of Engineering > Electronics and Nanoscale Engineering
College of Science and Engineering > School of Physics and Astronomy
Journal Name:New Journal of Physics
Publisher:Institute of Physics Publishing Ltd.
ISSN:1367-2630
ISSN (Online):1367-2630
Copyright Holders:Copyright © 2011 IOP Publishing Ltd and Deutsche Physikalische Gesellschaft
First Published:First published in New Journal of Physics 13:085005
Publisher Policy:Reproduced under a Creative Commons License

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