In this paper we attempt to give a new understanding of quantum double-slit interference of fermions in the framework of general nonlocality (GN) [J. Math. Phys. 49, 033513 (2008)] by studying the self-(inter)action of matter wave. From the metric of the GN, we derive a special formalism to interpret the interference contrast when the self-action is perturbative. According to the formalism, the characteristic of interference pattern is in agreement with experiment qualitatively. As examples, we apply the formalism to the cases governed by Schrödinger current and Dirac current, respectively, both of which are relevant to topology. The gap between these two cases corresponds to the fermion magnetic moment, which is possible to test in the near future. In addition, a general interference formalism for both perturbative and nonperturbative self-actions is presented. By analyzing the general formalism we predict that in the nonperturbative limit there is no interference at all. And by comparison with the special formalism of Schrödinger current, the coupling strength of self-action in the limit is found to be ∞. In the perturbative case, the interference from self-action turns out to be the same as that from the standard approach of quantum theory. Then comparing the corresponding coefficients quantitatively we conclude that the coupling strength of self-action in this case falls in the interval [0, 1].
In this paper we attempt to give a new understanding of quantum double-slit interference of fermions in the framework of general nonlocality (GN) [J. Math. Phys. 49, 033513 (2008)] by studying the self-(inter)action of matter wave. From the metric of the GN, we derive a special formalism to interpret the interference contrast when the self-action is perturbative. According to the formalism, the characteristic of interference pattern is in agreement with experiment qualitatively. As examples, we apply the formalism to the cases governed by Schrödinger current and Dirac current, respectively, both of which are relevant to topology. The gap between these two cases corresponds to the fermion magnetic moment, which is possible to test in the near future. In addition, a general interference formalism for both perturbative and nonperturbative self-actions is presented. By analyzing the general formalism we predict that in the nonperturbative limit there is no interference at all. And by comparison with the special formalism of Schrödinger current, the coupling strength of self-action in the limit is found to be ∞. In the perturbative case, the interference from self-action turns out to be the same as that from the standard approach of quantum theory. Then comparing the corresponding coefficients quantitatively we conclude that the coupling strength of self-action in this case falls in the interval [0, 1].
We propose a quantum framework where cavity-induced nonlocal stochastic quantized momentum transfer governs double-slit interference of single eelectrons, replacing self-interference, wavefunction collapse, and Schrödinger’s wavefunction description. Using Heisenberg’s operator formalism, we model the electron’s interaction with the double slit as a quantized field potential. This approach explains interference via discrete momentum transfer through stochastic cavity modes. We explore its role as a non-local hidden-variable mechanism, predicting deviations in Bell violation, and finer discrete interference fringes in short cavity-mode wavelength regimes, opening new avenues for experimental verification. Our new interpretation of quantum dynamics sheds light on long-standing debates about quantum reality, hidden variables, wave-function superposition and Schrödinger’s cat, the illusion of self-interference of a single electron, and instantaneous wavefunction collapse misconception in the measurements. Our theory possesses the deterministic description of an electron a stochastic yet nonlocal hidden variable characteristic of the quantized cavity modes. It meets Einstein’s desire for a more complete theory and bridges the gap between physical reality and the incomplete conventional quantum theory that requires confusing Copenhagen or many-world interpretations.
Quantum interference is traditionally interpreted as evidence of intrinsic wave–particle duality, invoking self-interference and wavefunction superposition. Here, we propose an alternative causal framework in which interference arises from interactions between a classical electron and a quantized electromagnetic field. In this picture, electrons follow definite, localized trajectories and produce discrete detection events, while the observed interference pattern emerges statistically from stochastic, nonlocal momentum transfers mediated by quantized field modes. Numerical simulations of the double-slit experiment show that dot-like interference fringes arise without invoking wavefunction collapse or intrinsic matter waves. Doubling the electron mass narrows the fringe spacing in agreement with de Broglie scaling, indicating that the effective wavelength emerges dynamically from particle–field coupling rather than representing an inherent property of the particle. The formulation is based on a rigorously defined Hamiltonian and derived equations describing electromagnetic coupling between particles and the slit environment. Although neutral particles such as neutrons or atoms carry no net charge monopoles, they possess electric or magnetic dipole and higher multipole moments that enable electromagnetic interactions with the slit apparatus, allowing discrete momentum transfer through the quantized field. Our simulations show that interference fringes arise from intermittent singleparticle detection events caused by stochastic momentum impulses from quantized electromagnetic modes. These results suggest a reinterpretation of wave–particle duality: the apparent wave-like behavior of matter may arise from interaction with the inherently wave-like quantized electromagnetic field—whose quanta are photons, the massless U(1)-gauge bosons—rather than from an intrinsic wave nature of the particles themselves. Our analysis is rigorous and is not speculative, because the proposed Hamiltonian for this system is physical. Within this nonlocal hidden-variable framework, the dot-like interference pattern observed in the double-slit experiment emerges from individual electrons traversing one slit at a time while receiving discrete momentum impulses from stochastic, spatially extended quantized electromagnetic fields.
Double-slit interference is one of the most fundamental quantum phenomena among photons and other particles. We propose a novel and realist quantum framework in which interference patterns in double-slit experiments arise not from wavefunction self-interference or collapse, but from causal non-local, quantized cavity-induced momentum exchange between the electron and the double-slit field potential. Unlike Copenhagen or Bohmian interpretations, our theory treats the electron as a deterministic, soliton-like entity governed by classical-like trajectories. The quantized potential of the slits—described via creation and annihilation operators—is responsible for discrete momentum transfer through coupling with cavity or barrier modes, modeled via octonionic algebra that differentiates internal particle structure from external field dynamics. The resulting interference pattern emerges from non-local, quantized interactions between the electron and field modes without invoking the probabilistic wavefunction. Our model aligns with experimental violations of Bell’s inequality and avoids conceptual paradoxes such as wavefunction collapse and self-interference. The framework makes several testable predictions, offering a promising new direction for understanding quantum interference with clearer physical realism.
The double-slit experiment has stood for a century as the paradigmatic demonstration of quantum superposition: the standard interpretation holds that a particle passes through both slits simultaneously, existing in a superposition of two spatially separated states. This paper proposes a physically distinct alternative: the particle's matter wave — a real physical wave propagating through space in accordance with de Broglie's relation λ = h/p — passes through both slits, while the particle itself (matter) remains in an undetermined state until a constructive interference maximum is formed at the detection screen. The particle does not simultaneously occupy two locations; the wave does. This distinction eliminates the need for superposition as an ontological commitment while fully reproducing the observed interference pattern. We further show that the disappearance of the interference pattern upon which-path measurement is explained without invoking wavefunction collapse: the measurement interaction redirects the matter wave to a single-slit geometry, eliminating the two-wave interference condition. Three experimentally testable predictions distinguish this framework from the standard interpretation: (1) weak-measurement trajectory reconstruction should reveal single particle paths inconsistent with simultaneous two-slit passage; (2) diffraction fringe spacing should depend on the mass density of the slit material, because denser slit edges generate a steeper refractive-index gradient for the matter wave; (3) the fringe pattern should exhibit a density-dependent phase shift measurable with current matter-wave interferometry technology. This reinterpretation requires no new mathematical formalism — the Schrödinger equation and Born's rule are retained — but replaces the ontological claim of simultaneous multi-location existence with the physically consistent picture of matter-wave propagation through an undetermined-state particle.
We propose a quantitative test of the quantum nonlocality in the electromagnetic interaction that generates the Aharonov-Bohm effect. For this purpose, we derive an interaction Lagrangian based on the local action of gauge-invariant quantities only, and compare it with the standard potential-based (nonlocal) Lagrangian. It is shown that the two models provide identical results for any phenomena involving classical equations of motion or topological quantum phases. Interestingly, we find an example violating this equivalence, that is, the interference of single charges coproduced from two independent sources. The two models yield different predictions of the interference fringe produced by the electromagnetic interaction and, therefore, one can decide which model is appropriate for describing the electromagnetic interaction in general. This result has profound implications as it can settle the issue of dynamical nonlocality in the quantum electromagnetic interaction.
Field-Theoretic Explanation of Wave-Particle Duality—Unification of Particle Locality and the Wave Nature of the Perturbation Field This paper provides a physical explanation of the most central puzzle in quantum mechanics—wave-particle duality—without relying on "probability-amplitude collapse" or "nonlocal entanglement." This theory divides all matter in the universe into Nie-matter entities (massive, Staticity) and Ji-matter entities (massless, Dynamicity), and maintains that quantum objects (electrons, neutrons, etc.) are always localized Nie-matter entity particles. Their "wave behavior" originates from the particle's local perturbation of the Ji-matter field that already fills space during motion—the perturbation propagates in the form of a wave, produces an interference field when passing through the double slits, and the interference field in turn guides the particle's landing position. The particle always passes through only one slit, while the field passes through both slits simultaneously; interference is the behavior of the field, not the behavior of the particle. This mechanism naturally explains double-slit interference, the coexistence of neutron collisions and wave behavior, the disturbance of interference fringes by observation devices, and the variation of interference contrast with source offset and slit spacing. This paper further gives three falsifiable predictions: P6-1 (a decisive distinction between device field-strength disturbance and which-path information disturbance), P6-2A (the disturbance effect varies continuously with field strength), and P6-2B (an argument for the explanatory power of double-slit interference contrast—naturally derived from one mechanism vs. jointly explained by four independent concepts). Compared with mainstream theory, this theory does not need "wavefunction collapse," does not need "nonlocality," and does not need "many worlds"—it only needs to acknowledge: particles are localized, the field fills space, and the motion of particles is guided by the local field gradient.