The nonlocality of entangled quantum mechanical systems is incompatible with the standard interpretation of special relativity as a single 4D Minkowskian metric spacetime. The difficulty is that the definition of a spacetime interval between any pair of events precludes any form of nonlocal interaction, even the relatively benign non-signaling correlations. By an application of the relativity principle, and the use of the space ←→ time symmetry of the Lorentz boost I propose here a reinterpretation of special relativistic spacetime. This new ontology consists of a set of coexisting 3+1D spaces (‘framespaces’), each containing unique content in the form of a complex density. These spaces are related by the Lorentz boost, and coupled pairwise in a manner dictated by the Lorentz transformation. The inter-space coupling acting on the spacetime content gives rise to a nonlocal wave phenomenon, which is identified as quantum wave mechanics. The interspace coupling strength is then inversely proportional to Planck’s constant. The coexistence of multiple spaces is interpreted as momentum superposition, implying that momentum is the fundamental physical basis of quantum superposition. This new spacetime interpretation of quantum mechanics has many consequences, including explanations of quantum non-locality, the spacetime role of Planck’s constant, quantum measurement as a symmetry-breaking process and the redundancy of description of gauge theory.
The nonlocality of entangled quantum mechanical systems is incompatible with the standard interpretation of special relativity as a single 4D Minkowskian metric spacetime. The difficulty is that the definition of a spacetime interval between any pair of events precludes any form of nonlocal interaction, even the relatively benign non-signaling correlations. By an application of the relativity principle, and the use of the space ←→ time symmetry of the Lorentz boost I propose here a reinterpretation of special relativistic spacetime. This new ontology consists of a set of coexisting 3+1D spaces (‘framespaces’), each containing unique content in the form of a complex density. These spaces are related by the Lorentz boost, and coupled pairwise in a manner dictated by the Lorentz transformation. The inter-space coupling acting on the spacetime content gives rise to a nonlocal wave phenomenon, which is identified as quantum wave mechanics. The interspace coupling strength is then inversely proportional to Planck’s constant. The coexistence of multiple spaces is interpreted as momentum superposition, implying that momentum is the fundamental physical basis of quantum superposition. This new spacetime interpretation of quantum mechanics has many consequences, including explanations of quantum non-locality, the spacetime role of Planck’s constant, quantum measurement as a symmetry-breaking process and the redundancy of description of gauge theory.
“For me then this is the real problem with quantum theory: the apparently essential conflict between any sharp formulation and fundamental relativity. That is to say, we have an apparent incompatibility, at the deepest level, between the two fundamental pillars of contemporary theory...” J. S. Bell (2004, p. 171) The inability to delineate a unified physical ontology that accounts simultaneously for the laws of special relativity and the results of quantum experiments has been a defining problem in physics for more than 100 years. Although various primitive ontologies (including Bohmian pilot wave, spontaneous collapse, and objective collapse theories) along with wave function realism ontologies, many-worlds interpretations, and multi-field theories address the tension between special relativity and quantum mechanics, none has successfully resolved it. This analysis addresses the problem by positing an ontic, mixed ontology composed of a “discrete” 4D spacetime and a physical, ultra-high dimensional (3 x N) “Planck Space.” Together, Planck Space and the three spatial dimensions of 4D spacetime form a tightly integrated ((3 x N) + 3) hyperspace (the “Dual Ontology”). 4D spacetime’s three spatial dimensions and the N dimensions of Planck Space are composed of two substructures: discrete, three-dimensional, quantized units of space ("Planck Spheres") and an ontic State of Absolute Nothingness (the "SOAN") whose sole physical characteristic is onticness. Critically, the Dual Ontology’s structure replaces 1) the continuous, differentiable manifold of 4D spacetime with a discrete 4D spacetime and 2) mathematical 3N configuration spaces with a physical (3 x N) Planck Space. Moreover, structurally and dynamically, the Dual Ontology is predicated on the one-to-one mapping and identity between the Planck Spheres that simultaneously form 4D spacetime and Planck Space. The one-to-one mapping and identity physically and theoretically support an integrated quantum dynamics based upon the dynamic evolution of single and N-body quantum states in 4D spacetime in full compliance with the laws of special relativity and the instantaneous collapse of all quantum states in an ontic Planck Space, where special and general relativity and more generally, 4D spacetime’s laws of physics, do not apply. Keywords: Quantum Cosmology; Special Relativity; Quantum Mechanics, Wave Function Collapse; Mixed Ontology; Dual Ontology; (3 x N) Planck Space; Planck Identity; Bell Identity
This paper introduces a framework to the novel Theory of Space that seeks to unify quantum mechanics and special relativity by redefining the fourth dimension as an energy-dependent longitudinal parameter. The theory posits that quantum systems oscillate between observable three-dimensional (3D) space and the energetic fourth dimension ?p = C?, where ? = h/E is Planck?s periodic time. It offers a new explanation for quantum superposition, the measurement problem, and entanglement through random 3D projections from a 4D superposition, thus removing the necessity for observer-induced collapse theories or many-worlds interpretations. It resolves the wave particle duality by treating quantum oscillating space and compact entities (e.g., mass particles or pulsed fields) as coexisting. The Bell?s inequality violations are addressed via a fourth-dimensional locality during the oscillation, preserving 3D causality of entangled particles. The model also reinterprets relativistic effects as scale changes driven by energy and proposes a gravitational mechanism via an inward space flow proportional to energy content. A testable prediction is provided through a photon tunneling experiment, demonstrating sinusoidal probability variations. Additional prediction for no time dilation during free fall body?s is made. This framework offers a unified, realistic, and local description of quantum and relativistic phenomena, with implications for future experimental validation.
Standard quantum mechanics requires six independent axioms of the Copenhagen interpretation, all formulated in a non-relativistic framework lacking Lorentz invariance and thus fundamentally inconsistent with Minkowski spacetime. This paper argues that the measurement problem, wave-function collapse, Schrödinger's cat, and the non-locality of entanglement share a common root: non-relativistic quantum mechanics is an approximation of a more fundamental theory, and interpretations built upon an approximation cannot be fully correct. We propose Spacetime Wave Quantum Theory (SWQ theory), which takes Minkowski spacetime as its sole geometric premise and proceeds from two axioms: Axiom 1 (Quantum nature): A quantum exists in spacetime with finite extent and behaves as a wave whose action changes only in discrete multiples of h. Axiom 2 (Superposition principle): Superposition on multiple paths holds if and only if no difference arises in the state of external quanta between those paths — a purely physical condition with no role for observer consciousness. From these two axioms, the Klein–Gordon and Dirac equations are derived directly, with the Schrödinger equation recovered as their non-relativistic limit. The six Copenhagen axioms are replaced by two. Central concept — the Spacetime Action Packet (SAP): Every quantum occupies a finite four-dimensional spacetime region. For energy E, the temporal thickness satisfies Δt ≳ h/E. The SAP has a minimum size but no upper bound; quantum interactions are described as overlap integrals over the spacetime volume where two SAPs coincide. A key consequence is that different quanta — including three quarks inside a nucleon and neutrinos traversing the Earth — can occupy the same spacetime region without restriction; the Pauli exclusion principle applies only to identical fermions in identical states. Principal results of v2.0: Wave-function collapse is dissolved as the physical end and beginning of a quantum wave (wave-terminating interaction); the projection postulate is unnecessary. Feynman spacetime integration and virtual particles acquire a natural physical basis; finite SAP size provides an intrinsic UV cutoff without renormalization. Zero-point energy (ħω/2) is diagnosed as an artifact of operator ordering in quantization — not a physical entity — rendering the cosmological constant problem a structural consequence of summing a quantity that was never real. A first-order extension to a-ECG curved spacetime shows that gravitational redshift, gravitational mass deficit, and the increase in SAP temporal thickness all scale as √A(r), unifying classical and quantum descriptions of energy conservation under gravity. These results are supported by quantitative tests obtained without renormalization: the electron anomalous magnetic moment ae = α/2π (1-loop) and 2-loop coefficient C4 to 0.0015%; the Compton cross-section to within 0.07% of the Klein–Nishina formula; and nucleon magnetic moments to ∼1.5%. Details appear in the series papers on the Rotating Spinor Wave (RSW) model. Series context: SWQ theory forms the foundational framework for the RSW model (unified description of fermion spin, g-factors, and hadron mass spectra) and the Energy-Conserving Gravity theory (a-ECG, a modification of general relativity incorporating full energy-momentum conservation). These three papers constitute an interconnected series. Note: Generative AI tools (Claude Sonnet 4.6, Anthropic; Grok, xAI) were used for drafting and language checking. All scientific content and responsibility rest solely with the author.
“For me then this is the real problem with quantum theory: the apparently essential conflict between any sharp formulation and fundamental relativity. That is to say, we have an apparent incompatibility, at the deepest level, between the two fundamental pillars of contemporary theory...” J. S. Bell (2004, p. 171) The inability to delineate a unified physical ontology that accounts simultaneously for the laws of special relativity and the results of quantum experiments has been a defining problem in physics for more than 100 years. Although various primitive ontologies (including Bohmian pilot wave, spontaneous collapse, and objective collapse theories) along with wave function realism ontologies, many-worlds interpretations, and multi-field theories address the tension between special relativity and quantum mechanics, none has successfully resolved it. This analysis addresses the problem by positing an ontic, mixed ontology composed of a “discrete” 4D spacetime and a physical, ultra-high dimensional (3 x N) “Planck Space.” Together, Planck Space and the three spatial dimensions of 4D spacetime form a tightly integrated ((3 x N) + 3) hyperspace (the “Dual Ontology”). 4D spacetime’s three spatial dimensions and the N dimensions of Planck Space are composed of two substructures: discrete, three-dimensional, quantized units of space ("Planck Spheres") and an ontic State of Absolute Nothingness (the "SOAN") whose sole physical characteristic is onticness. Critically, the Dual Ontology’s structure replaces 1) the continuous, differentiable manifold of 4D spacetime with a discrete 4D spacetime and 2) mathematical 3N configuration spaces with a physical (3 x N) Planck Space. Moreover, structurally and dynamically, the Dual Ontology is predicated on the one-to-one mapping and identity between the Planck Spheres that simultaneously form 4D spacetime and Planck Space. The one-to-one mapping and identity physically and theoretically support an integrated quantum dynamics based upon the dynamic evolution of single and N-body quantum states in 4D spacetime in full compliance with the laws of special relativity and the instantaneous collapse of all quantum states in an ontic Planck Space, where special and general relativity and more generally, 4D spacetime’s laws of physics, do not apply.
After a review of the problems induced by the Lorentz signature of Minkowski space-time, like the need of a clock synchronization convention for the definition of 3-space and the complexity of the notion of relativistic center of mass, there is the introduction of a new formulation of relativistic quantum mechanics compatible with the theory of relativistic bound states. In it the zeroth postulate of non-relativistic quantum mechanics is not valid and the physics is described in the rest frame by a Hilbert space containing only relative variables. The non-locality of the Poincare' generators imply a kinematical non-locality and non-separability influencing the theory of relativistic entanglement and not connected with the standard quantum non-locality.
Abstract Quantum mechanics and relativity are two of the most successful theoretical frameworks in modern physics, yet their conceptual foundations remain difficult to reconcile at the deepest level. Quantum theory describes physical systems through states, observables, probabilities, measurement contexts, superposition, entanglement, and nonclassical correlations. Relativity describes physical processes through space-time structure, causal order, invariant physical law, observer-dependent decomposition of time and space, and constraints on signal propagation. This article examines the conceptual relationship between quantum measurement, relativistic causality, and space-time description. The purpose is not to present a mathematical unification but to analyze how the two frameworks organize physical explanation differently and where their interpretive tensions arise. Special attention is given to the measurement problem, the status of quantum states, the role of observers and reference frames, the meaning of locality, the distinction between correlation and causal influence, and the challenge of describing quantum processes without privileging a single global time. The article argues that many apparent conflicts between quantum theory and relativity result from importing classical intuitions into domains where they no longer apply. Quantum entanglement does not permit controllable faster-than-light communication, yet it challenges classical separability. Relativity forbids superluminal signaling, yet it does not require that all physically meaningful correlations be reducible to local classical properties. Measurement introduces another difficulty because standard quantum theory often describes state update in a way that appears instantaneous, while relativistic space-time does not provide a universal present. The discussion develops a conceptual framework in which quantum measurement is treated as a physical interaction, relativistic causality as a constraint on operational influence, and space-time description as an organizing structure for events rather than a simple background stage. This analysis is relevant for quantum field theory, quantum information, relativistic quantum foundations, and future approaches to quantum gravity.