University of Southampton Researchers Achieve Historic Milestone
In a groundbreaking achievement, physicists at the University of Southampton have confirmed the Zel’dovich effect using electromagnetic waves, marking a significant advancement in quantum physics and energy-efficient technology.
The Zel’dovich effect: A historical context
The Zel’dovich effect, theorized by Soviet physicist Yakov Zel’dovich in the 1970s, suggests that twisted waves can be amplified by a rotating object. Previously demonstrated only with sound waves, this effect has now been proven with electromagnetic fields, challenging long-held beliefs.
Experimental breakthrough
Dr. Marion Cromb, a Research Fellow at the University of Southampton, explained, “The Zel’dovich effect works on the principle that waves with angular momentum, that would usually be absorbed by an object, actually become amplified by that object instead, if it is rotating at a fast enough angular velocity.”
Using a resonant circuit and a spinning aluminum cylinder, the team successfully demonstrated the effect, as published in Nature Communications.
Links to the Doppler effect
The Zel’dovich effect shares a connection with the Doppler effect, a familiar phenomenon experienced in everyday life. Similar to how sound waves are compressed as a moving object approaches, the Zel’dovich effect involves a ‘rotational Doppler’ frequency shift in twisted waves.
The confirmation of the Zel’dovich effect in electromagnetic systems suggests its fundamental nature and opens avenues for exploring quantum applications. Professor Hendrik Ulbricht, the project supervisor, expressed optimism: “In electromagnetic settings, it will be more straightforward to pursue the quantum version of the effect.”
Potential applications
The researchers envision applications in improving induction generators, like those in wind turbines, hinting at a future where this discovery could revolutionize energy technologies.
This milestone not only validates a half-century-old theory but also sets the stage for further exploration in the realms of quantum physics and engineering innovation.