Contrasting string holography to its optical namesake

TL;DR

This paper explores how metamaterials can simulate aspects of holography and analogue gravity, revealing features detectable through optical correlations, and discusses implications for understanding holographic phenomena in condensed matter systems.

Contribution

It demonstrates the potential of engineered metamaterials to mimic holographic and gravity-like phenomena, offering insights into their origins beyond string-theoretical frameworks.

Findings

Detection of non-local optical correlations indicative of holographic features

Metamaterials can simulate generalized holographic conjecture aspects

Insights into holography-like phenomena in condensed matter systems

Abstract

We assess the prospects of using metamaterials for simulating various aspects of analogue gravity and holographic correspondence. Albeit requiring a careful engineering of the dielectric media, some hallmark features reminiscent of the hypothetical 'generalized holographic conjecture' can be detected by measuring non-local optical field correlations. The possibility of such simulated behavior might also shed light on the true origin of those apparent holography-like phenomena in the condensed matter systems with emergent effective metrics which may not, in fact, require any references to the string-theoretical holography.