Analog hep-th, on Dirac materials and in general

TL;DR

This paper explores how Dirac materials like graphene can simulate high-energy physics phenomena, including spacetime curvature, black holes, and quantum effects, offering a versatile platform for theoretical and experimental investigations.

Contribution

It demonstrates the broad potential of Dirac materials to emulate various high-energy physics scenarios, expanding the scope of analog gravity and quantum field experiments in condensed matter systems.

Findings

Emergence of relativistic-like matter and spacetime curvature in Dirac materials

Realization of Unruh-like phenomena and black hole analogs in 2+1 dimensions

Novel results including torsion detection, generalized uncertainty principles, and spacetime algebra models

Abstract

The work of our group on reproducing scenarios of high energy theoretical physics on Dirac materials, like graphene, is illustrated. The main goal of this paper is to explain how versatile these systems are, and how far and wide into the hep-th territory we can explore with them. I first review why these materials lend themselves to the emergence of special relativistic-like matter and space, with the focus on the emergence of curvature. Then the crucial role of the low dimensions (2+1), and Weyl symmetry, towards the realization of a Unruh-kind of phenomenon (along with other interesting scenarios, that include the BTZ black hole and de Sitter spacetime) is explained. Comments on how far we went in the direction of experiments are offered too, followed by a list of some fresh results: From the time-loop to spot torsion, to the generalized uncertainty principle stemming from and underlying (lattice) length; From a model of grain-boundaries and their relation to (A)dS and Poincar\'e spacetime algebras, to Unconventional Supersymmetry and the role of the two Dirac points of graphene; and more. In the concluding remarks I briefly try to make the case for the realization of a ``CERN for analogs'', where theorists. both of the hep-th and of the cond-mat types, sit next to experimentalists, mostly of the cond-mat type.