Scientists Recreate Hawking Radiation in a Lab Using Quantum Fluids

Scientists have taken a major step in proving the existence of Hawking radiation—the theoretical glow from black holes predicted by Stephen Hawking. A new study used a quantum fluid to mimic the conditions of a black hole's event horizon, revealing key correlations that match long-standing predictions. The research team worked with a Bose-Einstein condensate, an ultra-cold quantum fluid, to create a supersonic flow. This setup generated a sonic horizon, acting like the boundary of a black hole where sound waves cannot escape. By measuring the angular spread of emitted particle pairs, they found an anti-correlation in their momenta—a signature of the Hawking effect.

The observed patterns closely matched theoretical forecasts for Hawking radiation. Unlike previous attempts, this experiment relied on fluid dynamics to simulate spacetime behaviour, offering a controlled way to study the phenomenon in a lab. The findings also included numerical simulations that stabilised the fluid's properties, linking simulated correlations to real-world measurements. While the study confirms the presence of Hawking-like effects, specific details about the exact timing and location of the radiation within the condensate remain unclear. The team focused on phononic modes—sound-based particles—showing a thermal spectrum akin to what Hawking radiation should produce.

This breakthrough provides the strongest experimental support yet for Hawking radiation using analogue spacetimes. The method opens new possibilities for testing quantum gravity theories in laboratory conditions. Further research could refine measurements and explore deeper connections between fluid dynamics and black hole physics.