Walter H. Rubsamen Music Library

A quantum field's lowest energy state is the quantum vacuum state, which is a fundamental concept in quantum field theory. This is not an empty space, but rather exhibits inherent quantum fluctuations in energy and particle content. In response to these fluctuations, virtual particles are created and annihilated, temporary entities that temporarily borrow energy from the vacuum state. In quantum field theory, a framework for describing particle interactions, the quantum vacuum state is central to understanding the behavior of subatomic particles. The quantum world is fundamentally dynamic, and even the lowest energy state is not truly empty. The purpose of this piece is to describe this theory through music.

This music score was submitted for Resonate 2024: An Open Access Call for Scores by the UCLA Music Library with Bent Frequency and Jan Berry Baker.