arXiv subjects

Jeff Steinhauer

Publications and source records attributed to Jeff Steinhauer.

18 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2025

Overdamped quasibound states inside a Schwarzschild black hole

Schwarzschild black-hole interiors, bounded by event horizons and terminated by spacelike singularities, are regions where all physical observers are inevitably destroyed. In the geometric optics approximation, waves follow null geodesics to the singularity. However, outside the geometric optics regime, the behavior of wave propagation can be rich and nuanced, even in such extreme habitats. In this work, we show that axial gravitational perturbations in the interior of a Schwarzschild black hole can form overdamped (non-oscillatory) quasibound states that decay before reaching the singularity. Using Kruskal-Szekeres coordinates to avoid coordinate ambiguities, we identify these modes and analyze their eigenfunctions. Contrary to earlier claims, we find that the Regge-Wheeler master function of these modes have non-zero amplitude at the future event horizon but decay before interacting with the singularity. We consider observations of the modes along timelike geodesics. This work suggests that certain gravitational fluctuations can hover transiently within the black-hole interior, challenging common assumptions about wave behavior in uncharted and extreme regions of spacetime.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2025

Finding quasinormal modes directly from the boundary conditions in a Schwarzschild black hole

We present a conceptually simple method for finding quasinormal modes (QNMs) in a Schwarzschild black hole. QNMs are defined by their boundary conditions at infinity and at the horizon. These include the intuitively satisfying assertion that the QNM should be purely outgoing at infinity, with no incoming wave coming from infinity and scattering off the black hole. One applies this condition at past null infinity by demanding that the incoming wave there vanish, despite the infinite outgoing wave at the same point in spacetime. We search for QNMs by minimizing the incoming wave, but we are forced to work at a finite distance rather than past null infinity, to avoid the infinite outgoing wave. This technique lets us find the fundamental QNM, but we do not succeed in finding the overtones since the incoming waves always vanish due to damping. The technique is inherently approximate due to the boundary condition at a finite distance.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2024

The ringdown-Hawking radiation connection in real and analogue black holes

In the usual picture of Hawking radiation, the emission is spontaneous; it is caused by nothing. In contrast, the radiation from the ringdown after a black-hole merger is caused dynamically by the fluctuations of the event horizon. We explore the possibility that Hawking radiation is also emitted dynamically by horizon fluctuations, in the form of quasinormal modes. In fact, we find that the fundamental, least-damped quasinormal mode is sufficient to radiate the entire Hawking spectrum of photons and gravitons, since the quasinormal mode spectrum is broadened by damping. The resulting Hawking spectra are accurate with no graybody factors. By comparing Hawking radiation to ringdowns, we find that the quantum fluctuations of the horizon should be on the order of 0.1 Planck lengths. We compare this result with predictions ranging over 60 orders of magnitude. Further support for the model is provided by a sonic black hole experiment, in which additional horizon fluctuations are seen to produce Hawking-like radiation.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2021

Confirmation of stimulated Hawking radiation, but not of black hole lasing

Stimulated Hawking radiation in an analogue black hole in a Bose-Einstein condensate was reported seven years ago, and it was claimed that the stimulation was of the black hole lasing variety. The study was based on observation of rapidly-growing negative-energy waves. We find that the Hawking particles are directly observable in the experimental plots, which confirms the stimulated Hawking radiation. We further verify this result with new measurements. Also, the observed Hawking particles provide a sensitive, background-free probe of the underlying mechanism of the stimulation. The experiment inspired the prediction of the Bogoliubov-Cherenkov-Landau (BCL) mechanism of stimulated Hawking radiation. By computing the Bogoliubov coefficient for Hawking radiation, we find that the stimulation was of the BCL type, rather than black-hole lasing. We further confirm the results with numerical simulations of both black hole lasing and BCL stimulation.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2021

Analogue cosmological particle creation in an ultracold quantum fluid of light

In inflationary cosmology, the rapid expansion of the early universe resulted in the spontaneous production of cosmological particles from vacuum fluctuations, observable today in the cosmic microwave background anisotropies. The analogue of cosmological particle creation in a quantum fluid could provide insight, but an observation has not yet been achieved. Here we report the spontaneous creation of analogue cosmological particles in the laboratory, using a quenched 3-dimensional quantum fluid of light. We observe acoustic peaks in the density power spectrum, in close quantitative agreement with the quantum-field theoretical prediction. We find that the long-wavelength particles provide a window to early times, and we apply this principle to the cosmic microwave background. This work introduces a new quantum fluid, as cold as an atomic Bose-Einstein condensate.

cond-mat.quant-gas↗

arXiv2020

Short Bragg pulse spectroscopy for a paraxial fluids of light

We implement Bragg spectroscopy in a paraxial fluid of light. Analogues of short Bragg pulses are imprinted on a photon fluid by wavefront shaping using a spatial light modulator. We measure the dispersion relation and evidence a parabolic single-particle regime as well as a linear phonon regime even for very weakly interacting photons and low sound velocity. Finally, we report a measurement of the static structure factor, $S(k)$, and we demonstrate the presence of pair-correlated excitations, revealing indirectly the quantum depletion in a paraxial fluid of light.

cond-mat.quant-gas↗

arXiv2019

Observation of stationary spontaneous Hawking radiation and the time evolution of an analogue black hole

The emission of Hawking radiation from a black hole was predicted to be stationary, which is necessary for the correspondence between Hawking radiation and black-body radiation. Spontaneous Hawking radiation was observed in analogue black holes in atomic Bose-Einstein condensates, although the stationarity was not probed. Here, we confirm that the spontaneous Hawking radiation is stationary, by observing such a system at six different times. Furthermore, we follow the time evolution of Hawking radiation and compare and contrast it with predictions for real black holes. We observe the ramp up of Hawking radiation followed by stationary spontaneous emission, similar to a real black hole. The end of the spontaneous Hawking radiation is marked by the formation of an inner horizon, which is seen to cause stimulated Hawking radiation as predicted. We find that the stimulated Hawking and partner particles are directly observable, and that the stimulated emission evolves from multi-mode to monochromatic. Numerical simulations suggest that Bogoliubov-Cherenkov-Landau stimulation predominates, rather than black-hole lasing.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2018

Observation of thermal Hawking radiation at the Hawking temperature in an analogue black hole

We measure the correlation spectrum of the Hawking radiation emitted by an analogue black hole and find it to be thermal at the Hawking temperature implied by the analogue surface gravity. The Hawking radiation is in the regime of linear dispersion, in analogy with a real black hole. Furthermore, the radiation inside of the black hole is seen to be composed of negative-energy partners only. This work confirms the prediction of Hawking's theory regarding the value of the Hawking temperature, as well as the thermality of the spectrum. The thermality of Hawking radiation is the root of the information paradox. The correlations between the Hawking and partner particles imply that the analogue black hole has no analogue firewall.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2017

Observation of quantum Hawking radiation and its entanglement in an analogue black hole

We observe spontaneous Hawking radiation, stimulated by quantum vacuum fluctuations, emanating from an analogue black hole in an atomic Bose-Einstein condensate. Correlations are observed between the Hawking particles outside the black hole and the partner particles inside. These correlations indicate an approximately thermal distribution of Hawking radiation. We find that the high energy pairs are entangled, while the low energy pairs are not, within the reasonable assumption that excitations with different frequencies are not correlated. The entanglement verifies the quantum nature of the Hawking radiation. The results are consistent with a driven oscillation experiment and a numerical simulation.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2016

Response to version 2 of the note concerning the observation of quantum Hawking radiation and its entanglement in an analogue black hole

The observation of quantum Hawking radiation and its entanglement in an analogue black hole was recently reported. A subsequent note (arXiv:1609.03803) criticized the study. Version 2 of the note was recently presented. The note suffers from technical difficulties which invalidate its main claims. We answer all of the comments in the note and show that the criticisms are not valid. We also answer a comment made by the author of the note in a different forum.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2016

Self-amplifying Hawking radiation and its background: a numerical study

We numerically study an analogue black hole with two horizons with similar parameters to a recent experiment. We find that the Hawking radiation exists on a background which contains a density oscillation, a zero-frequency ripple. The Hawking radiation evolves from spontaneous to self-amplifying, while the background ripple grows steadily with no qualitative change. It is seen that the self-amplifying Hawking radiation has a non-zero frequency. The background ripple appears even before the inner horizon is created, in contrast to predictions. This work is in agreement with the recent observation of self-amplifying Hawking radiation, and explains some of the features seen. In contrast to recent works, our study differentiates between the Hawking radiation observed, and the evolution of the background.

cond-mat.quant-gas↗

arXiv2015

Measuring the entanglement of analogue Hawking radiation by the density-density correlation function

We theoretically study the entanglement of Hawking radiation pairs emitted by an analogue black hole. We find that this entanglement can be measured by the experimentally accessible density-density correlation function, vastly simplifying the measurement. We find that while the Hawking radiation exiting the black hole might be Planck-distributed, the correlations between the Hawking radiation and the partner particles has a distribution which is weaker but broader than Planckian. Thus, the high energy tail of the distribution of Hawking radiation should be entangled, whereas the low energy part should not be. This confirms a previous numerical study. The full Peres-Horodecki criterion is considered, as well as a simpler criterion in the stationary, homogeneous case. Our method applies to systems which are sufficiently cold that the thermal phonons can be neglected.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2014

Observation of self-amplifying Hawking radiation in an analog black hole laser

It has been proposed that a black hole horizon should generate Hawking radiation. In order to test this theory, we have created a narrow, low density, very low temperature atomic Bose-Einstein condensate, containing an analog black hole horizon and an inner horizon, as in a charged black hole. We observe Hawking radiation emitted by the black hole. This is the output of the black hole laser. We also observe the exponential growth of a standing wave between the horizons. The latter results from interference between the negative energy partners of the Hawking radiation and the negative energy particles reflected from the inner horizon. We thus observe self-amplifying Hawking radiation.

cond-mat.quant-gas↗

arXiv2013

Nonlinear Elimination of Spin-Exchange Relaxation of High Magnetic Moments

Relaxation of the Larmor magnetic moment by spin-exchange collisions has been shown to diminish for high alkali densities, resulting from the linear part of the collisional interaction. In contrast, we demonstrate both experimentally and theoretically the elimination of spin-exchange relaxation of high magnetic moments (birefringence) in alkali vapor. This elimination originates from the nonlinear part of the spin-exchange interaction, as a scattering process of the Larmor magnetic moment. We find counter-intuitively that the threshold magnetic field is the same as in the Larmor case, despite the fact that the precession frequency is twice as large.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2010

Realization of a sonic black hole analogue in a Bose-Einstein condensate

We have created an analogue of a black hole in a Bose-Einstein condensate. In this sonic black hole, sound waves, rather than light waves, cannot escape the event horizon. A step-like potential accelerates the flow of the condensate to velocities which cross and exceed the speed of sound by an order of magnitude. The Landau critical velocity is therefore surpassed. The point where the flow velocity equals the speed of sound is the sonic event horizon. The effective gravity is determined from the profiles of the velocity and speed of sound. A simulation finds negative energy excitations, by means of Bragg spectroscopy.

cond-mat.quant-gas↗

arXiv2010

Repumping ground-state population in a coherently driven atomic resonance

We experimentally demonstrate an optical pumping technique to pump a dilute rubidium vapor into the mF = 0 ground states. The technique utilizes selection rules that forbid the excitation of the mF = 0 state by linearly-polarized light. A substantial increase in the transparency contrast of coherent population trapping in the clock transition is demonstrated.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2008

Density engineering of an oscillating soliton/vortex ring in a Bose-Einstein condensate

When two Bose-Einstein condensates (BEC's) collide with high collisional energy, the celebrated matter wave interference pattern results. For lower collisional energies the repulsive interaction energy becomes significant, and the interference pattern evolves into an array of grey solitons. The lowest collisional energy, producing a single pair of solitons, has not been probed. We use density engineering on the healing length scale to produce such a pair of solitons. These solitons then evolve periodically between vortex rings and solitons, which we image in-situ on the healing length scale. The stable, periodic evolution is in sharp contrast to the behavior of previous experiments, in which the solitons decay irreversibly into vortex rings via the snake instability. The evolution can be understood in terms of conservation of mass and energy in a narrow condensate. The periodic oscillation between two qualitatively different forms seems to be a rare phenomenon in nature.

cond-mat.other↗

arXiv2001

Direct observation of the phonon energy in a Bose-Einstein condensate by tomographic imaging

The momentum and energy of phonons in a Bose-Einstein condensate are measured directly from a time-of-flight image by computerized tomography. We find that the same atoms that carry the momentum of the excitation also carry the excitation energy. The measured energy is in agreement with the Bogoliubov spectrum. Hydrodynamic simulations are performed which confirm our observation.

cond-mat.soft↗