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Reverse Engineering Quantum Field Theory

Robert Oeckl, Centro De Ciencias Matemáticas

Published Aug 17, 2016• 4 citations
OpenAlex

Abstract

An approach to the foundations of quantum theory is advertised that proceeds by "reverse engineering" quantum field theory. As a concrete instance of this approach, the general boundary formulation of quantum theory is outlined.

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Reverse engineering quantum field theory

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We elaborate on the proposed general boundary formulation as an extension of standard quantum mechanics to arbitrary (or no) backgrounds.Temporal transition amplitudes are generalized to amplitudes for arbitrary space-time regions.State spaces are associated to general (not necessarily spacelike) hypersurfaces.We give a detailed foundational exposition of this approach, including its probability interpretation and a list of core axioms.We explain how standard quantum mechanics arises as a special case.We include a discussion of probability conservation and unitarity, showing how these concepts are generalized in the present framework.We formulate vacuum axioms and incorporate space-time symmetries into the framework.We show how the Schrödinger-Feynman approach is a suitable starting point for casting quantum field theories into the general boundary form.We discuss the role of operators.

arXiv:hep-th/0509122•Advances in Theoretical and Mathematical Physics•Jan 1, 2008•103 citations
Physical systems often possess fundamental upper bounds—Planck scale, holographic entropy limits, maximum nod density—beyond which their evolution cannot proceed. This paper introduces a threshold-triggered stabilization framework based on three operators derived from Spectral Nod Theory: the Liminal Operator ∞ / (defined as a spectral projector onto allowed states), the Cyclic Equivalence Operator ⟳ = , and the Phase Reverser Operator ↶ =. The Liminal Operator detects when a system approaches or exceeds its maximal value; it then activates a dynamical cascade: ⟳ = initiates a controlled reset, while ↶ = provides damping to prevent overshoot. We develop both classical and quantum formulations of this “liminal–cyclic–reversal triad”. In the quantum setting, the triad is embedded into a Lindblad master equation, yielding a boundary-aware dissipation model that naturally confines the system to its allowed region. The framework reproduces key features of constrained dynamics without requiring ad-hoc reflective boundaries. Applications to nod density saturation, black hole entropy bounds, and Planck-scale energy limits are discussed, with the understanding that these serve as illustrative examples rather than complete physical models. To demonstrate concreteness, we present an exactly solvable model of a harmonic oscillator subject to the liminal constraint; this example explicitly shows how the triad stabilizes the system within the allowed subspace. The work offers an effective operator-based description of stability at ultimate bounds, suitable for further theoretical development and potential experimental implementation in engineered quantum systems.
We elaborate on the proposed general boundary formulation as an extension of standard quantum mechanics to arbitrary (or no) backgrounds.Temporal transition amplitudes are generalized to amplitudes for arbitrary space-time regions.State spaces are associated to general (not necessarily spacelike) hypersurfaces.We give a detailed foundational exposition of this approach, including its probability interpretation and a list of core axioms.We explain how standard quantum mechanics arises as a special case.We include a discussion of probability conservation and unitarity, showing how these concepts are generalized in the present framework.We formulate vacuum axioms and incorporate space-time symmetries into the framework.We show how the Schrödinger-Feynman approach is a suitable starting point for casting quantum field theories into the general boundary form.We discuss the role of operators.