Simulating the escape of entangled photons from the event horizon of black holes in nonuniform optical lattices

We investigate quantum walks in a noninertial frame with a Rindler metric, emulated by a nonuniform optical lattice with varying site couplings whose metric is mathematically equivalent to that of a Schwarzschild black hole near the event horizon. The optical trapping of single photons and two indistinguishable photons in such nonuniform lattices conforms to a well-known classical physical recognition due to the strong gravitational force of black holes. Counterintuitively, there is an optical escape for path-entangled photons for which one photon is captured, while the other photon escapes. Intriguingly, we find that the counterintuitive phenomenon has a distinct escape mechanism compared to Hawking radiation, which is wholly due to quantum interference. Additionally, we investigate the entanglement decay for this maximally entangled state in the emulated noninertial frame. Our study paves the way for a tabletop platform for understanding quantum effects under general relativity.

Automated summary

This study investigates quantum walks in a noninertial frame emulated by a nonuniform optical lattice, mathematically equivalent to a Schwarzschild black hole near the event horizon. The optical trapping of photons in such lattices displays counterintuitive escape phenomena and unique mechanisms distinct from Hawking radiation. Additionally, entanglement decay for maximally entangled states in the emulated noninertial frame is explored, paving the way for understanding quantum effects under general relativity on a tabletop platform.