



@article {2151,
	title = {Optomechanical Analogy for Toy Cosmology with Quantized Scale Factor},
	journal = {Entropy},
	volume = {19},
	year = {2017},
	month = {2017/09/12},
	chapter = {485},
	abstract = {<p>The simplest cosmology{\^a}\&euro;\&rdquo;the Friedmann{\^a}\&euro;\&ldquo;Robertson{\^a}\&euro;\&ldquo;Walker{\^a}\&euro;\&ldquo;Lema{\~A}\&reg;tre (FRW) model{\^a}\&euro;\&rdquo; describes a spatially homogeneous and isotropic universe where the scale factor is the only dynamical parameter. Here we consider how quantized electromagnetic fields become entangled with the scale factor in a toy version of the FRW model. A system consisting of a photon, source, and detector is described in such a universe, and we find that the detection of a redshifted photon by the detector system constrains possible scale factor superpositions. Thus, measuring the redshift of the photon is equivalent to a weak measurement of the underlying cosmology. We also consider a potential optomechanical analogy system that would enable experimental exploration of these concepts. The analogy focuses on the effects of photon redshift measurement as a quantum back-action on metric variables, where the position of a movable mirror plays the role of the scale factor. By working in the rotating frame, an effective Hubble equation can be simulated with a simple free moving mirror.</p>},
	issn = {1099-4300},
	doi = {10.3390/e19090485},
	url = {http://www.mdpi.com/1099-4300/19/9/485},
	author = {Smiga, Joseph A. and J. M. Taylor}
}
