Presenters for 2004:   Stephanie Andrews   Christopher Bailey   Joanna Berzowska   Shushil Bhakar   and Eric Hortop   Cliff Burgess   Paulo Chagas   Dennis Dollens   Dan Falk   Sarah Filley   Ivette Fuentes-Guridi   Lila Kari   Narendra Pachkhede   Chris Salter   Chelsea Smock   Clara Ursitti   Derek van der Kooy   Yon Visell   Fabian Winkler   Panel Discussion Symposium, 2004 Something out of nothing: the effects of the vacuum Ivette Fuentes-Guridi University of Oxford http://www1.physics.ox.ac.uk/~ivette/oxfordhome.htm For many years now the idea of emptiness has caught my attention. What does the vacuum mean? Can anything happen there? Is there any observable consequence of its existence? These are examples of fundamental questions that can occupy our minds. Such questions drive individuals to look for answers and this can be done in many different ways and at very different levels. For example, one can try to find answers through a scientific exploration. In the case of the vacuum, studying the physical emptiness, its meaning and effects. But this fundamental question can also be investigated in other ways such as an artistic exploration or even at a personal level. Are some aspects of my life empty? Should I be afraid of feeling empty? Should I avoid it? Can those voids be filled? Should they? Can I live with them? Fundamental questions not only concern individuals. Entire societies collectively explore such questions giving rise to scientific and philosophic theories, artistic movements, etc. In my presentation I will discuss how I have looked for answers concerning the topic of the vacuum in different ways. In my research in physics I have been interested in understanding the different effects that the quantum vacuum produces. First I worked on understanding some vacuum induced effects such as spontaneous emission of atoms and the Casmir effect. Then I explored the effects of the electromagnetic vacuum in the geometric evolution of states, which is a fundamental property of quantum mechanical systems. Looking in retrospective the idea of the nothing has also permeated other aspects of my life. I discovered that the concept of emptiness has been recurrent in my paintings (I paint as a hobby). I enjoy painting not only because it is pleasant but also because after finalizing a painting, it always speaks to me and tells me something about myself that I don't have access otherwise. I paint without a program or intention, apparently empty of ideas, without a conscious question in mind and then I always discover there was a question. Something emerges from the nothing. I have discovered that the idea of emptiness has been central in my life and this question, this void, has driven me to creativity. Biography: I graduated in physics from Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico carrying out research in astrophysics. I have PhD in quantum physics from Imperial College and held a postdoctoral position at Perimeter Institute. Currently, I am a Junoir Research Fellow at University of Oxford. I am interested in quantum optics, quantum information theory and foundations of quantum mechanics. I enjoy painting and trained as a classical dancer.   Page Top Copyright © 2004 Subtle Technologies Festival