• Physicists successfully created a 'black hole bomb' analog in the lab, experimentally demonstrating the Zel'dovich effect using electromagnetic waves.
• The experiment uses a rotating aluminum cylinder and magnetic fields to mimic the energy amplification process theorized to occur near black holes.
• This breakthrough has potential implications for understanding black hole spin, energy extraction, and exploring dark matter, offering a new tool for studying superradiance.

Researchers have successfully created a laboratory analog of a 'black hole bomb,' a concept proposed decades ago. The experiment involves a rotating aluminum cylinder surrounded by magnetic fields, simulating the conditions near a spinning black hole. By spinning the cylinder faster than the surrounding magnetic field, researchers observed amplification of electromagnetic waves, demonstrating the Zel'dovich effect. This achievement provides valuable insights into black hole energy dynamics and offers potential applications in energy extraction and quantum mechanics.

• What: Creation of a 'black hole bomb' analog in the lab to demonstrate the Zel'dovich effect and explore black hole energy dynamics.
• Who: Researchers led by Marion Cromb at the University of Southampton and Hendrik Ulbricht.
• When: Experiment conducted and results published in 2025 (as per some articles; preprint available on arXiv).
• Where: University of Southampton, UK.

The creation of a 'black hole bomb' analog is a significant achievement in experimental physics. It provides tangible evidence for the Zel'dovich effect, a theoretical concept that has been debated for decades. The experiment uses relatively simple equipment to simulate the complex energy dynamics near black holes, offering a safer and more accessible way to study these phenomena. The potential implications of this research are far-reaching, with applications in energy extraction, quantum mechanics, and the search for dark matter. The successful demonstration of wave amplification from noise also opens up new possibilities for studying superradiance and exploring the fundamental properties of the universe.

We’re generating a signal from noise — just like in the black hole bomb idea.

You send in a wave and get more back — amazing.

The experiments presented here are a direct realization of the rotating absorber amplifier first proposed by Zel'dovich in 1971 and later developed by Press and Teukolsky into the concept of black hole bomb.

The successful creation of a 'black hole bomb' analog in the lab represents a significant step forward in understanding black hole physics and confirming the Zel'dovich effect. This experiment not only validates decades-old theories but also opens up new avenues for research in energy extraction, quantum mechanics, and the search for dark matter. While practical applications are still in the early stages, this breakthrough has the potential to revolutionize our understanding of the universe and inspire innovative technologies.