In a groundbreaking experiment conducted in April 2025, physicists have successfully created a laboratory analog of a 'black hole bomb,' providing experimental verification of a theoretical phenomenon proposed decades ago [1, 5, 6]. This achievement offers new insights into the behavior of black holes and confirms fundamental physics principles [1].
The experiment, conducted by researchers from the University of Southampton, the University of Glasgow, and Italy's National Research Council, centers on the Zel'dovich effect, where a rotating object amplifies electromagnetic waves [1, 2, 3]. The setup involved a rapidly spinning aluminum cylinder surrounded by metal coils that acted as mirrors [1]. When a weak magnetic field was directed at the cylinder, the cylinder's rotation amplified the waves, causing the coils to accumulate energy, effectively creating a 'black hole bomb' [1].
This accomplishment validates the universality of rotational superradiance and exponential amplification, concepts applicable beyond just black holes [1, 9]. The experiment not only demonstrated amplification but also the transition to instability and spontaneous wave generation [1]. This physical model will assist physicists in understanding black hole rotation and exploring the intersection of astrophysics, thermodynamics, and quantum theory [1, 5, 6].