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arXiv · 2002.04216

Optical analogues of black-hole horizons

Yuval Rosenberg
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Abstract

Hawking radiation is unlikely to be measured from a real black-hole, but can be tested in laboratory analogues. It was predicted as a consequence of quantum mechanics and general relativity, but turned out to be more universal. A refractive index perturbation produce an optical analogue of the black-hole horizon and Hawking radiation that is made of light. We discuss the central and recent experiments of the optical analogue, using hands-on physics. We stress the roles of classical fields, negative frequencies, 'regular optics' and dispersion. Opportunities and challenges ahead are shortly discussed.

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Yuval Rosenberg. 2020-04-12. Optical analogues of black-hole horizons. https://doi.org/10.1098/rsta.2019.0232

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