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Quantum Mechanics versus Special Relativity: A forgotten conflict

Rafael Andrés Alemañ Berenguer

Published Nov 1, 2008• 1 citation
OpenAlex

Abstract

Despite the widespread assumptions on the compatibility between non-relativistic quantum mechanics and special relativity, there still remains a considerable amount of unresolved problems to which few authors explicitly pay attention. Most of them involve the aim of coherently achieving a relativistic description of quantum collapses and quantum entanglements. These processes seem to challenge our present picture of the physical world in terms of space-time structures.

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Despite the widespread assumptions on the compatibility between non-relativistic quantum mechanics and special relativity, there still remains a considerable amount of unresolved problems to which few authors explicitly pay attention. Most of them involve the aim of coherently achieving a relativistic description of quantum collapses and quantum entanglements. These processes seem to challenge our present picture of the physical world in terms of space-time structures.
It is generally assumed that compatibility with special relativity is guaranteed by the invariance of the fundamental equations of quantum physics under Lorentz transformations and the impossibility of transferring energy or information faster than the speed of light. Despite this, various contradictions persist, which make us suspect the solidity of that compatibility. This paper focuses on collapse theories—although they are not the only way of interpreting quantum theory—in order to examine what seems to be insurmountable difficulties we encounter when trying to construct a space–time picture of such typically quantum processes as state vector reduction or the non-separability of entangled systems. The inescapable nature of such difficulties suggests the need to go further in the search for new formulations that surpass our current conceptions of matter and space–time.
The major challenge of modern physics is to merge relativistic and quantum theories \ninto a unique conceptual frame able to combine the basic statements of the former with \nthe quantization, the non-locality and non-reality of the latter. A previous paper has \nshown that the statistical formulation of the space-time uncertainty allows to describe \nthe quantum systems in agreement with these requirements of the quantum world. The \npresent paper aims to extend the same theoretical model and approach also to the special \nand general relativity.
Despite nearly a century of development, quantum theories that address the special relativity-quantum mechanics tension still struggle with limited explanatory depth. Given the fundamental differences between the two core theories, this is not surprising. Quantum theories that rely on mathematical constructs to explain particle or quantum state dynamics often struggle to reconcile with special relativity’s constraints in a physical 4D spacetime. This paper explores the explanatory depth of a tightly integrated, physically grounded approach to reconciling special relativity and quantum mechanics based on a dual ontology framework where a discrete 4D spacetime and an ultra-high-dimensional space are integrated facets of a physically unified universe. The approach provides a theoretical framework that adheres to special relativity’s laws, conforms with quantum experiments challenging special relativity’s constraints, and establishes a physical one-to-one correspondence between quantum phenomena across both dimensions. The strength of the analysis lies in its physical explanatory depth. Without relying on ad hoc, fine-tuning, or perturbative techniques, the model examines physical solutions for some of the most challenging special relativity-quantum mechanics problems, including (1) quantum entanglement and nonlocality, (2) the instantaneity of quantum collapse, (3) causality, (4) the nature of time, (5) quantum state localization, (6) ) quantum tunneling, (7) the relativity of simultaneity, (8) relativistic energy increase, and (9) the Born Rule's relationship to special relativity’s constraints.
Abstract The conceptual unification of quantum mechanics and relativity remains one of the central challenges of modern theoretical physics. While quantum theory successfully describes microscopic phenomena through probabilistic wave dynamics and field quantization, relativity establishes the geometric structure of space-time and the causal organization of physical events. Despite extensive progress in quantum field theory and relativistic quantum frameworks, foundational tensions persist regarding locality, causality, and coherence. This study presents a conceptual and structural analysis of quantum field coherence within relativistic space-time. Rather than focusing on specific unification proposals, we examine the compatibility conditions between quantum coherence, relativistic causality, and space-time structure. Particular attention is given to field-based interpretations of quantum states, entanglement propagation limits, and covariance requirements. The analysis synthesizes perspectives from relativistic quantum field theory, conceptual foundations of quantum measurement, and geometric interpretations of space-time. We argue that coherence phenomena can be understood as structurally constrained by relativistic causal order, without requiring violation of space-time locality. The aim of this article is to clarify foundational relationships between quantum coherence and relativistic structure through a conceptual framework that integrates field-theoretic and geometric viewpoints.