SciPost logo

SciPost Submission Page

Induced density correlations in a sonic black hole condensate

by Yi-Hsieh Wang, Ted Jacobson, Mark Edwards, Charles W. Clark

This Submission thread is now published as

Submission summary

Authors (as registered SciPost users): Charles Clark · Mark Edwards · Theodore Jacobson · Yi-Hsieh Wang
Submission information
Preprint Link: http://arxiv.org/abs/1705.01907v2  (pdf)
Date accepted: 2017-09-05
Date submitted: 2017-07-18 02:00
Submitted by: Wang, Yi-Hsieh
Submitted to: SciPost Physics
Ontological classification
Academic field: Physics
Specialties:
  • High-Energy Physics - Theory
  • Quantum Physics
Approaches: Theoretical, Computational

Abstract

Analog black/white hole pairs, consisting of a region of supersonic flow, have been achieved in a recent experiment by J. Steinhauer using an elongated Bose-Einstein condensate. A growing standing density wave, and a checkerboard feature in the density-density correlation function, were observed in the supersonic region. We model the density-density correlation function, taking into account both quantum fluctuations and the shot-to-shot variation of atom number normally present in ultracold-atom experiments. We find that quantum fluctuations alone produce some, but not all, of the features of the correlation function, whereas atom-number fluctuation alone can produce all the observed features, and agreement is best when both are included. In both cases, the density-density correlation is not intrinsic to the fluctuations, but rather is induced by modulation of the standing wave caused by the fluctuations.

Published as SciPost Phys. 3, 022 (2017)


Reports on this Submission

Anonymous Report 1 on 2017-8-21 (Invited Report)

  • Cite as: Anonymous, Report on arXiv:1705.01907v2, delivered 2017-08-21, doi: 10.21468/SciPost.Report.218

Strengths

1. Timely topic
2. The paper provides new insight into the role of correlations in the presence of sonic horizons

Weaknesses

none really

Report

In summary, this is a well written paper, which discusses the timely topic of correlations in the presence of analog event horizons. The paper seems technically correct, and importantly points out that in a recent experiment with a BEC where analog sonic horizons were identified, the density-density correlations may be attributed to atom number fluctuations rather than the quantum fluctuations. I enjoyed reading the paper. The authors carefully explain their methods, and in particular Section III C gives a clear picture of what is going on. To conclude, I do not have anything to complain about. It is a very good paper which will no doubt be well received by the cold atom community and those interested in analog gravity. I suggest the paper is published in its present form.

Requested changes

none

  • validity: top
  • significance: high
  • originality: high
  • clarity: good
  • formatting: perfect
  • grammar: perfect

Login to report or comment