The research team led by the University of Amsterdam demonstrated that it is possible to mimic the mysterious radiation coming from black holes by replicating it in a laboratory.
Black holes are one of the most extreme objects in the universe. They pack so much mass into so little space that can escape their pull when it gets close enough.
Understanding black holes is essential to understanding the laws of physics and the nature of the universe.
Theories of physics, the theory of general relativity and the theory of quantum mechanics, you will learn the basic principles behind fundamental features of the cosmos.
To fully describe black holes, we would need to stitch these two theories together and form a theory of quantum gravity.
Every black hole has to emit a small amount of thermal radiation due to small quantum fluctuations around its horizon, which was discovered by Stephen Hawking.
The amount of Hawking radiation coming from each black hole is predicted to be so small that it is impossible to detect the radiation coming from other objects.
Is it possible to study the mechanism underlying the emergence of Hawking radiation right here on Earth?
Researchers from the University of Amsterdam and IFW Dresden are trying to figure out what this is. An exciting "yes" is what the answer is.