dorsal/arxiv
View SchemaA Theory of Quantum Space-time
| Authors | Charles Francis |
|---|---|
| Categories | |
| ArXiv ID | physics/9905058 |
| URL | https://arxiv.org/abs/physics/9905058 |
Abstract
An interpretation and re-formulation of modern physics which removes the presumption of the space-time continuum, and bases physical theory on a small number of rational and empirical principles. After briefly describing the philosophical principles underlying the theory, we rigorously construct a discrete model of quantum mechanics. Kets are names, or labels which categorise states of matter but do not directly describe them. The principle of superposition is seen as a definitional truism in the categorisation of states. This resolves the measurement problem of quantum mechanics by attributing the collapse of the wave function to information. The probability interpretation has a natural meaning in which the configuration of interacting particles plays the role of a hidden variable. The model supports a form of relativistic quantum field theory which does not depend on quantisation or second quantisation from classical mechanics. Continuous laws of wave mechanics are found in a discrete metaphysic which does not involve waves. Classical law is the expected behaviour of many elementary particles. The constraints on the theory are sufficient to establish that particles are point-like entities with specific properties found in nature. Newton's first law and conservation of momentum are established from the principle of homogeneity. Maxwell's equations are derived from the simple interaction in which a Dirac particle emits or absorbs a photon. Feynman rules are calculated for the discrete theory and differ from the standard rules by the removal of the ultraviolet divergence and the use of proper loop integrals. They give finite and unambiguous results.
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"abstract": "An interpretation and re-formulation of modern physics which removes the\npresumption of the space-time continuum, and bases physical theory on a small\nnumber of rational and empirical principles. After briefly describing the\nphilosophical principles underlying the theory, we rigorously construct a\ndiscrete model of quantum mechanics. Kets are names, or labels which categorise\nstates of matter but do not directly describe them. The principle of\nsuperposition is seen as a definitional truism in the categorisation of states.\nThis resolves the measurement problem of quantum mechanics by attributing the\ncollapse of the wave function to information. The probability interpretation\nhas a natural meaning in which the configuration of interacting particles plays\nthe role of a hidden variable. The model supports a form of relativistic\nquantum field theory which does not depend on quantisation or second\nquantisation from classical mechanics. Continuous laws of wave mechanics are\nfound in a discrete metaphysic which does not involve waves. Classical law is\nthe expected behaviour of many elementary particles. The constraints on the\ntheory are sufficient to establish that particles are point-like entities with\nspecific properties found in nature. Newton\u0027s first law and conservation of\nmomentum are established from the principle of homogeneity. Maxwell\u0027s equations\nare derived from the simple interaction in which a Dirac particle emits or\nabsorbs a photon. Feynman rules are calculated for the discrete theory and\ndiffer from the standard rules by the removal of the ultraviolet divergence and\nthe use of proper loop integrals. They give finite and unambiguous results.",
"arxiv_id": "physics/9905058",
"authors": [
"Charles Francis"
],
"categories": [
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"title": "A Theory of Quantum Space-time",
"url": "https://arxiv.org/abs/physics/9905058"
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