Geometric Foundations of Stochastic and Quantum Dynamics

Abstract

We develop a geometric formulation of stochastic dynamics in which noise, diffusion, path probabilities, fluctuation theorems, and entropy production arise from the intrinsic geometry of an evolving manifold rather than from externally imposed randomness. Within the theory of moving manifolds, we establish a curvature-noise correspondence: fluctuations are governed by the inverse curvature tensor, while entropy production is controlled by curvature deformation. The invariant continuity law on a moving hypersurface yields a geometric Fokker-Planck equation, and curvature-velocity coupling generates a quadratic Onsager-Machlup functional determining path weights. The resulting entropy functional satisfies a curvature-driven monotonicity law, providing a geometric derivation of the Second Law. In two dimensions, the curvature invariant reduces to Gaussian curvature and encodes topology, so topological transitions produce discrete entropy jumps. When the ambient space carries a Minkowskian signature, the same curvature-kinetic quadratic form that generates dissipative thermal weights produces oscillatory phase weights, and the Laplace-Beltrami operator governing entropy evolution acquires a Schrödinger-type structure. This provides a geometric resolution of the apparent distinction between classical stochastic behaviour and quantum dynamics. These results show that stochastic behaviour, thermodynamic irreversibility, and quantum transition amplitudes are unified within the moving manifold framework. Geometry does not merely accommodate stochasticity; stochastic behaviour arises as a consequence of deterministic geometric evolution. The theory predicts curvature-controlled anisotropic diffusion, entropy jumps at topology-changing events, and a geometric thermal-quantum crossover in which classical stochastic weights and quantum amplitudes are generated by the same curvature-kinetic action.