An analog model for quantum lightcone fluctuations in nonlinear optics

Journal Article · Fri Feb 15 00:00:00 EST 2013 · Annals of Physics (New York)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/J.AOP.2012.10.002· OSTI ID:22157068

Ford, L.H., E-mail: [e-mail] ^[1]; De Lorenci, V.A., E-mail: [e-mail] ^[2]; Menezes, G., E-mail: [e-mail] ^[3]; Svaiter, N.F., E-mail: [e-mail] ^[4]

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1. Institute of Cosmology, Department of Physics and Astronomy, Tufts University, Medford, MA 02155 (United States)
2. Instituto de Ciencias Exatas, Universidade Federal de Itajuba, Itajuba, MG 37500-903 (Brazil)
3. Instituto de Fisica Teorica, Universidade Estadual Paulista, Rua Dr. Bento Teobaldo Ferraz 271 - Bloco II, 01140-070 Sao Paulo, SP (Brazil)
4. Centro Brasileiro de Pesquisas Fisicas, Rua Dr. Xavier Sigaud 150, 22290-180 Rio de Janeiro, RJ (Brazil)

We propose an analog model for quantum gravity effects using nonlinear dielectrics. Fluctuations of the spacetime lightcone are expected in quantum gravity, leading to variations in the flight times of pulses. This effect can also arise in a nonlinear material. We propose a model in which fluctuations of a background electric field, such as that produced by a squeezed photon state, can cause fluctuations in the effective lightcone for probe pulses. This leads to a variation in flight times analogous to that in quantum gravity. We make some numerical estimates which suggest that the effect might be large enough to be observable. - Highlights: Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer Lightcone fluctuations, quantum fluctuations of the effective speed of light, are a feature of quantum gravity. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer Nonlinear dielectrics have a variable speed of light, analogous to the effects of gravity. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer Fluctuating electric fields create the effect of lightcone fluctuations in a nonlinear material. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer We propose to use squeezed light in a nonlinear material as an analog model of lightcone fluctuations. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer Variation in the speed of propagation of pulses is the observational signature of lightcone fluctuations.

• OSTI ID: 22157068
• Journal Information: Annals of Physics (New York), Vol. 329; Other Information: Copyright (c) 2012 Elsevier Science B.V., Amsterdam, The Netherlands, All rights reserved.; Country of input: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA); ISSN 0003-4916
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

79 ASTROPHYSICS
COSMOLOGY AND ASTRONOMY
DIELECTRIC MATERIALS
ELECTRIC FIELDS
EXCITED STATES
FLUCTUATIONS
GRAVITATION
LIGHT CONE
NONLINEAR OPTICS
NONLINEAR PROBLEMS
PHOTONS
QUANTUM GRAVITY
SIMULATION
SPACE-TIME
VISIBLE RADIATION
WAVE PROPAGATION