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arXiv:0711.2418 · Journal of Physics A Mathematical and Theoretical

Derivation of the postulates of quantum mechanics from the first principles of scale relativity

Laurent Nottale A, Marie-Noëlle Célérier

Published Nov 14, 2007• 43 citations
arXivHTMLPDF

Abstract

Quantum mechanics is based on a series of postulates which lead to a very good description of the microphysical realm but which have, up to now, not been derived from first principles. In the present work, we suggest such a derivation in the framework of the theory of scale relativity. After having analyzed the actual status of the various postulates, rules and principles that underlie the present axiomatic foundation of quantum mechanics (in terms of main postulates, secondary rules and derived 'principles'), we attempt to provide the reader with an exhaustive view of the matter, by both gathering here results which are already available in the literature, and deriving new ones which complete the postulate list.

DOI
10.1088/1751-8113/40/48/012

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Quantum mechanics is based on a series of postulates which lead to a very good description of the microphysical realm but which have, up to now, not been derived from first principles. In the present work, we suggest such a derivation in the framework of the theory of scale relativity. After having analyzed the actual status of the various postulates, rules and principles that underlie the present axiomatic foundation of quantum mechanics (in terms of main postulates, secondary rules and derived 'principles'), we attempt to provide the reader with an exhaustive view of the matter, by both gathering here results which are already available in the literature, and deriving new ones which complete the postulate list.
Quantum Mechanics is a successful model to describe physical phenomena. We show that a simple set of postulates about the description of objects in Nature allows the derivation of the principles of QM, transforming this theory into a deductive approach to Physics. The main postulate is: Objects are described as energy distributions in Space–Time. 1 Quantum Mechanics from START It is universally accepted that Quantum Mechanics is a successful model to describe physical phenomena, in particular of the electronic structure of atoms, molecules and solids. As such it has been reformulated in several different forms (see for example: Nine formulations of quantum mechanics, Daniel F. Styer et al. [15]). The aim of the present paper is to show that a simple set of postulates about the description of objects in Nature allows the derivation of the principles of QM, transforming this theory into a deductive approach to Physics. In our approach the main postulate is: Objects are described as energy distributions in Space–Time. The theory is in fact a systematic mathematical analysis of this postulate and of other general considerations about action, energy–momentum and the role of the theory as a useful description of Nature. The paper also shows the fundamental and basic status of Density Functional Theory, also contained in our approach. The initial mathematical structure is a geometric (quadratic form based) union of space, time and action. In physics bundles of trajectories are used to describe the objects of nature: distribution of heights over a surface, a real object is described as a bundle of space-time trajectories, here we use a description as a bundle of action valves in space-time (energy densities in space following light-like lines). The author is fully aware that the presentation is strongly guided by the knowledge of the usual computational approach to study atoms, molecules and condensed matter electronic structure.
The list of basic axioms of quantum mechanics as it was formulated by von Neumann includes only the mathematical formalism of the Hilbert space and its statistical interpretation. We point out that such an approach is too general to be considered as the foundation of quantum mechanics. In particular in this approach any finite-dimensional Hilbert space describes a quantum system. Though such a treatment might be a convenient approximation it can not be considered as a fundamental description of a quantum system and moreover it leads to some paradoxes like Bell's theorem. I present a list from seven basic postulates of axiomatic quantum mechanics. In particular the list includes the axiom describing spatial properties of quantum system. These axioms do not admit a nontrivial realization in the finite-dimensional Hilbert space. One suggests that the axiomatic quantum mechanics is consistent with local realism.
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Programme status: This record belongs to an active research programme. It is not a finished or final theory. The framework is currently undergoing a systematic audit, together with corrections and improvements prompted by reader feedback. Several significant issues have been identified, and some claims, derivations and interpretations in the current version may be revised, qualified or withdrawn in future versions. Revised versions will be released when this work is complete. See PROGRAM_STATUS.md. Status as of October 2026. Quantum mechanics says a particle can be in a superposition — in two states at once. Measurement collapses it to one. The measurement problem is: what causes the collapse, and why do the probabilities follow the formula P(k) = |c_k|^2? Nobody has a satisfying answer from within standard quantum theory. This tutorial explains how the GTE (Generative Triple Evolution) framework derives the Born rule — the law that links quantum amplitudes to measurement probabilities — as a theorem from first principles, requiring no additional postulates. The Born rule emerges necessarily from the arithmetic structure of the GTE substrate.