We show that quantum fluids enable experimental analogs of relativistic orbital precession in the presence of non-paraxial effects. The analysis is performed by the hydrodynamic limit of the Schroedinger equation. The non-commutating variables in the phase-space produce a precession and an acceleration of the orbital motion. The precession of the orbit is formally identical to the famous orbital precession of the perihelion of Mercury used by Einstein to validate the corrections of general relativity to Newton’s theory. In our case, the corrections are due to the modified uncertainty principle. The results may enable novel relativistic analogs in the laboratory, also including sub Planckian phenomenology.
Category: Projects
Controlling rogue waves and soliton gases
Topological control of extreme waves
From optics to hydrodynamics, shock and rogue waves are widespread. Although they appear as distinct phenomena, transitions between extreme waves are allowed. However, these have never been experimentally observed because control strategies are still missing. We introduce the new concept of topological control based on the one-to-one correspondence between the number of wave packet oscillating phases and the genus of toroidal surfaces associated with the nonlinear Schrödinger equation solutions through Riemann theta functions. We demonstrate the concept experimentally by reporting observations of supervised transitions between waves with different genera. Considering the box problem in a focusing photorefractive medium, we tailor the time-dependent nonlinearity and dispersion to explore each region in the state diagram of the nonlinear wave propagation. Our result is the first realization of topological control of nonlinear waves. This new technique casts light on shock and rogue waves generation and can be extended to other nonlinear phenomena.
Nature Communications volume 10, Article number: 5090 (2019)
Optical spatial shock waves in nonlocal nonlinear media, a review paper
Dispersive shock waves are fascinating phenomena occurring when nonlinearity overwhelms linear effects, such as dispersion and diffraction. Many features of shock waves are still under investigation, as the interplay with noninstantaneity in temporal pulses transmission and nonlocality in spatial beams propagation. Despite the rich and vast literature on nonlinear waves in optical Kerr media, spatial dispersive shock waves in nonlocal materials deserve further attention for their unconventional properties. Indeed, they have been investigated in colloidal matter, chemical physics and biophotonics, for sensing and control of extreme phenomena. Here we review the last developed theoretical models and recent optical experiments on spatial dispersive shock waves in nonlocal media. Moreover, we discuss observations in novel versatile materials relevant for soft matter and biology.
PELM Project Kick off, 10 october 2019

PELM PRIN 2017 PROJECT 20177PSCKT
The Kick off meeting of the PELM project will be held on October 10th and 11th starting from 11.00 a.m. in room Aula Garda, Polo Scientifico e Tecnologico, Fabio Ferrari (Povo 1)
We are happy to announce the event that officially marks the start of the PELM project “Photonic Extreme Learning Machine: from neuromorphic computing to universal optical interpolant, strain gauge sensor and cancer morphodynamic monitor”, programmed on 10th and 11th of October, 2019. PELM aims at demonstrating machine learning photonic devices. Within a single neuromorphic computing architecture, different platforms are specialized to given tasks by their specific characteristics.
In the meeting, the involved team of the University of Trento, Sapienza University of Rome, Scuola Normale Superiore of Pisa, Università Cattolica of Milan and CNR-INO of Neaples, will talk about the project, the objectives and the working methodology to achieve together the desired results.
For more info please see the agenda
PHOTONIC RESERVOIR COMPUTING WORKSHOP IN TRENTO
Workshop on new frontiers in machine learning, photonics and complex networks