An Early Universe Analog Constructed in a Laboratory in Germany
A group of investigators at Universität Heidelberg has constructed an early universe analog in their research laboratory utilizing cooled potassium atoms. In their paper publicized in the journal Nature, the group explains their simulator and exactly how it could be used. Silke Weinfurtner, with the College of Nottingham, has published a News & Views piece in the same journal problem outlining the work done by the group in Germany.
Comprehending what happened during the initial few instants after the Big Bang is challenging because of the absence of evidence left. That leaves astrophysicists with just theory to describe what could have happened. To give credence to their theories, scientists have developed models that, in theory, stand for the problems being described. In this new initiative, the scientists utilized a current strategy to build a physical design in their laboratory to simulate issues just after the Big Bang.
Starting with the concept that the Big Bang provided rise to an increasing universe, the investigators looked to develop what they call a “quantum field simulator.” Since most concepts recommend it was likely that the early universe was icy, near absolute zero, the scientists produced a freezing environment. They, after that, added potassium atoms to represent the universe they were attempting to imitate.
The particles were cooled to simply above absolute zero and slowed down utilizing lasers, resulting in the construction of a Bose-Einstein condensate– a kind of superfluid. The investigators then utilized light from a specially developed projector to push the particles into desired arrangements. Under the setup, superfluid excitons comprehended as phonons propagate in two ways.
By influencing the propagation velocity, the scientists could simulate supposed wave proliferation in the early universe. They recommend the conduct of their superfluid was somewhat similar to the physics that regulated spacetime and the manufacturing of particles in those times after the Big Bang.
Among the initial experiments carried out utilizing the simulator involved simulating the expansion of the early universe– the particles in the superfluid moved in one ripple pattern in forms similar to what has been predicted by concept if pairs of particles are being produced.
Read the original article on PHYS.
More information: Celia Viermann et al, Quantum field simulator for dynamics in curved spacetime, Nature (2022). DOI: 10.1038/s41586-022-05313-9
