What is the ‘Black Hole Bomb’ theory and how scientists brought it to life in the lab

Spin in a black hole produces an effect called "frame dragging," an effect where space-time is curved around the spinning black hole by the rotation of the black hole. This profoundly affects particles that are close, transferring energy to particles that move in the direction of the rotation of the black hole. A breakthrough by scientists at the University of Southampton has moved the "Black Hole Bomb" theory of theoretical physics from theory into the laboratory, and a major advance has been made in the science of black holes and their unique characteristics.The "Black Hole Bomb" theory was originally discussed in the 1970s by brilliant scientists Roger Penrose and Yakov Zeldovich. Their theory was founded on the assumption that the rotational energy of a black hole could be tapped and magnified. In their hypothesis, they proposed that the spin of a black hole could be used as a method of increasing the energy levels in the surrounding environment. If this process repeated, it would be able to emit so much energy that it would have a strong possibility of producing a calamitous explosion, the same type of explosion which is produced by a bomb. Although the name is horrifying, the theory of the Black Hole Bomb is more of a fascinating scientific proposition than a threat. It shows how incredible potential there is with black holes as well as their sophisticated dynamics better understood.If a black hole is rotating, it warps the surrounding space-time—a phenomenon referred to as "frame dragging." Through this phenomenon, space-time gets curled up along the axis of rotation of the black hole and pulls other nearby particles along with it. In the case of particles moving along the direction of rotation of the black hole, this action can add more energy. One of the analogies used to describe this is the experience of traveling on a conveyor belt or airport moving walkway, in which a fragment of object passing along in the same direction as the walkway accelerates.Scientists have been fascinated by this bizarre black hole phenomenon for decades because it is a reflection of the humongous and enigmatic power of these cosmic objects.For years, the Black Hole Bomb was merely a theoretical entity, trapped in papers and never put to the test or proved through experiment. Everything changed in an experiment led by Marion Cromb and her team at the University of Southampton. In their lab, the team employed a rotating aluminum cylinder confined by rotating magnetic fields surrounding it. By altering the rate of rotation of the magnetic fields relative to the cylinder, they were able to observe changes taking place in the energy dynamics of the system.The test result was sensational. When the spinning cylinder spun faster than the external magnetic field, the energy of the system increased. When the magnetic field spun faster than the cylinder, energy levels plummeted. This experiment was capable of simulating conditions that are predicted to exist around a black hole's event horizon, demonstrating the Black Hole Bomb theory in the laboratory.Cromb's team released their results on the scientific preprint server, arXiv, making available to the wider scientific community a useful new piece of evidence for this theory.This discovery is a major breakthrough in black hole research. This makes it possible for researchers to explore the hypothetical energy of a black hole without having to observe or touch it, which under usual circumstances would be extremely difficult given the violent conditions within the area surrounding such cosmic monsters. By performing such experiments on rotating cylinders and magnetic fields, scientists can mimic and investigate phenomena in the ergosphere of a black hole, the area just outside its event horizon.Though this finding itself does not imply that black holes would or could be used as weapons or used in day-to-day technology, it provides a new understanding of one of the universe's most mysterious and potent forces. The findings pave the way for further research into the workings of black holes and potentially new advances in the years ahead.Also Read | This man survived 200 snake bites, from cobras to mambas—and now his blood is helping scientists beat venom; know how