Begehbarer ‹Datenhörraum› mit binauralem Display zur Sonifikation der Quantenelektrodynamik

AutorInnen: David Pirro, Martin Rumori, Robert Höldrich, Katharina Vogt,

We present the data listening space, a navigatable sonification of the so called lattice simulation of Quantum Electrodynamics (QED).

The Quantum electrodynamics (QED), the theory of light and electromagnetism, describes a space that is, because of its high dimensionality and complexity, almost not representable. We use sonification as a tool to explore the space described by the theory. Controlling sound’s qualities like rhythm, timbre, loudness and spatial projection makes them carriers of information, in order to provide an experience of the QED space.

Underlying to the sonification is a numerical simulation of the space described by theory. The listener moves freely through space, and her/his position and orientation are captured by a hybrid motion tracking system, which are in turn mapped into the QED space. In this virtual sonic space, sound objects appear, pulsate and vanish according to the running simulation. Further, by rendering these sounds binaurally to the listener's headphones according to her/his position and orientation, the listening space provides a sonic experience of this four-dimensional space.

In the data listening space, the listener plunges into the world of quantum mechanics. By moving around, s/he explores local or global sound structures and textures from all perspectives, listening out for underlying patterns.

The Data Listening space has been conceived within the QCD-audio project by Katharina Vogt, David Pirro' and Martin Rumori. Data listening space was realised and presented as a public interactive installation in November 2009 in the MUMUTH Gyorgi-Ligeti-Saal in Graz. Katharina Vogt, David Pirrò, Martin Rumori