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arXiv · 1004.2586

Emergent Horizons in the Laboratory

Ralf Schützhold
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Abstract

The concept of a horizon known from general relativity describes the loss of causal connection and can be applied to non-gravitational scenarios such as out-of-equilibrium condensed-matter systems in the laboratory. This analogy facilitates the identification and theoretical study (e.g., regarding the trans-Planckian problem) and possibly the experimental verification of "exotic" effects known from gravity and cosmology, such as Hawking radiation. Furthermore, it yields a unified description and better understanding of non-equilibrium phenomena in condensed matter systems and their universal features. By means of several examples including general fluid flows, expanding Bose-Einstein condensates, and dynamical quantum phase transitions, the concepts of event, particle, and apparent horizons will be discussed together with the resulting quantum effects.

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Ralf Schützhold. 2010-04-15. Emergent Horizons in the Laboratory. https://doi.org/10.1088/0264-9381%2F25%2F11%2F114011

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