In a groundbreaking experiment, scientists in England have successfully created a “quantum tornado” in the laboratory to mimic the curved space-time of black holes. The team of researchers from the University of Nottingham, Royal College of London, and Newcastle University embarked on this experiment with the aim of gaining a deeper understanding of the processes taking place in the vicinity of black holes.
The experiment builds upon previous research conducted at the University of Nottingham, where vortices in a specially constructed water bath exhibited the phenomenon of superfluidity, akin to what is observed near black holes. This time, the scientists utilized superfluid helium cooled to an incredibly low temperature of -271°C. Due to its nearly zero viscosity, the superfluid allowed for a precise study of surface waves and their interaction with the “ultra-intense tornado,” effectively replicating the gravitational conditions around black holes.
The unique properties of superfluid helium at extremely low temperatures enable the demonstration of quantum effects. In the experiment, quantum vortices were contained to create a compact object resembling a small tornado with a remarkable vortex flow within the field of quantum fluids.
The findings of this study have the potential to enhance our comprehension of black hole physics, a topic that continues to mystify astrophysicists despite ongoing discoveries. Silka Vainfurtner, the lead researcher, underscored the significance of this study in elevating our understanding of phenomena that are typically inaccessible through conventional methods. The study, now published in the journal Nature, represents a significant step forward in the exploration of one of the most enigmatic phenomena in the Universe.