in quantum field theory, a vacuum state or vacuum is a state of quantum fields which is at locally minimal potential energy. quantum particles are excitations which deviate from a minimal potential energy state, therefore a vacuum state has no particles in it. depending on the specifics of a quantum field theory, it can have more than one vacuum state. different vacua, despite all "being empty" (having no particles), will generally have different vacuum energy. quantum field theory stipulates that the pressure of the vacuum energy is always negative and equal in magnitude to its energy density.