• Researchers experimentally verified the 'black hole bomb' theory, demonstrating rotational superradiance and exponential amplification using a rotating cylinder and magnetic fields.
• The experiment validated the Zel'dovich effect, showing that a rotating object can amplify electromagnetic waves, mimicking energy extraction from rotating black holes.
• The 'black hole bomb' analog offers insights into black hole physics, thermodynamics, and quantum theory, potentially leading to advancements in signal amplification and energy storage technologies.

Physicists have created a laboratory analog of a 'black hole bomb,' a concept theorized in the 1970s. The experiment involves a rotating aluminum cylinder surrounded by coils that generate magnetic fields. By spinning the cylinder faster than the rotating magnetic field, researchers observed amplification of electromagnetic waves, confirming the Zel'dovich effect. This analog allows scientists to study the physics of black holes and explore potential applications of rotational superradiance.

• What: Creation of a 'black hole bomb' analog in the lab using a rotating aluminum cylinder and magnetic fields to demonstrate superradiance and exponential amplification.
• Who: Researchers from the University of Southampton, the University of Glasgow, and the Institute for Photonics and Nanotechnologies at Italy's National Research Council, led by Marion Cromb and Maria Chiara Braidotti.
• When: The initial theory was proposed in 1972, with foundational work in 1969 and 1971. The experiment was conducted and published as a preprint in March 2024/2025 (source dates vary).
• Where: The experiments were conducted in laboratories at the University of Southampton and the University of Glasgow.

The creation of a 'black hole bomb' analog represents a significant advancement in experimental physics. It validates theoretical concepts of superradiance and energy extraction from rotating systems. The experiment not only helps physicists better understand black hole physics, thermodynamics, and quantum theory but also opens avenues for potential applications in signal amplification and energy storage. While not a literal bomb, this analog is a powerful tool for exploring fundamental principles of the universe.

"Our work brings this prediction fully into the lab, demonstrating not only amplification but also the transition to instability and spontaneous wave generation."

"We sometimes pushed the system so hard that circuit components exploded. That was both thrilling and a real experimental challenge!"

"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 marks a crucial step in understanding the physics of black holes and rotational superradiance. By experimentally validating decades-old theories, this research provides valuable insights into fundamental processes governing the universe. While practical applications are still under investigation, this breakthrough could pave the way for innovations in signal amplification and energy storage technologies, further enhancing our understanding of the cosmos.