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Measurement of Stimulated Hawking Emission in an Analogue System

Silke Weinfurtner, Edmund W. Tedford, Matthew C. J. Penrice, William G. Unruh, and Gregory A. Lawrence
Phys. Rev. Lett. 106, 021302 – Published 10 January 2011
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Abstract

Hawking argued that black holes emit thermal radiation via a quantum spontaneous emission. To address this issue experimentally, we utilize the analogy between the propagation of fields around black holes and surface waves on moving water. By placing a streamlined obstacle into an open channel flow we create a region of high velocity over the obstacle that can include surface wave horizons. Long waves propagating upstream towards this region are blocked and converted into short (deep-water) waves. This is the analogue of the stimulated emission by a white hole (the time inverse of a black hole), and our measurements of the amplitudes of the converted waves demonstrate the thermal nature of the conversion process for this system. Given the close relationship between stimulated and spontaneous emission, our findings attest to the generality of the Hawking process.

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  • Received 30 August 2010

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.106.021302

© 2011 The American Physical Society

Synopsis

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Making waves

Published 10 January 2011

Surface waves in a trough of flowing water provide an analog system in which to study Hawking radiation.

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Authors & Affiliations

Silke Weinfurtner1, Edmund W. Tedford2, Matthew C. J. Penrice1, William G. Unruh1, and Gregory A. Lawrence2

  • 1Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada V6T 1Z1
  • 2Department of Civil Engineering, University of British Columbia, 6250 Applied Science Lane, Vancouver, Canada V6T 1Z4

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Issue

Vol. 106, Iss. 2 — 14 January 2011

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