Optical models of the big bang and non-trivial space-time metrics based on metamaterials

Optics of metamaterials is shown to provide table top models of non-trivial space-time metrics, such as the “two times physics” in (2+2) dimensions. An optical analogue of the Big Bang-like event is presented during which a (2+1) Minkowski space-time is created together with large number of particles populating this space-time.