Quantum simulation of traversable wormhole spacetimes in a dc-SQUID array

Abstract

We present an analog quantum simulator of spacetimes containing traversable wormholes. A suitable spatial dependence in the external bias of a dc-SQUID array mimics the propagation of light in a 1D wormhole background. The impedance of the array places severe limitations on the type of spacetime that we are able to implement. However, we find that a wormhole throat radius in the submillimeter range is achievable. We show how to modify this spacetime in order to allow the existence of closed timelike curves. The quantum fluctuations of the phase associated to the finite array impedance might be seen as an analog of Hawking's chronology-protection mechanism. © 2016 American Physical Society