The Ontology of Quantum Mechanics: Coherent Free-State Propagation and Constraint Formation
Hongpu Yang
What is quantum mechanics, constitutionally? This document provides the answer within the Energy-Efficiency Theory framework: quantum mechanics is not an independent set of physical laws, nor a "theory of particles," nor a "theory of measurement." Quantum mechanics is the dynamics of non-matter—the coherent propagation of free-state energy (E_f, E_c = 0) along Type II edges of the constraint network at the optimal cooperative capacity point η ≈ 1. Constraint Dynamics (CND v4.0) describes the dynamics of matter (Being, E_c > 0). Measurement is the constitutional interface between them: a Cut → Encapsulate event at the Type I/Type II boundary that terminates non-matter propagation and creates a persistent matter record. The QM ↔ Measurement Constitutional Duality is the constitutional expression of the Non-Matter/Matter distinction in dynamics. Version 3.1 is a comprehensive constitutional upgrade that preserves all v3.0 content while introducing five core refinements. (i) The Matter/Non-Matter constitutional framework (Particle v3.3) is implanted throughout: QM governs non-matter; measurement is the non-matter → matter constitutional transition; the wavefunction ψ = |ψ| e^{iS/A_EET} is the complex amplitude of non-matter propagation—physically real (ontic), not epistemic, not many-worlds. (ii) Barrier Asymmetry is conditionalized: E_b^melt ≫ E_b^form emerges from Γ(η) decay at η ≠ 1; at η = 1, E_b^form = E_b^melt = A_EET · ω (Inertia v3.4, CLOSED). Quantum coherence is protected by the three-engine architecture. (iii) The decoherence rate is corrected from a contradictory single-factor model to a two-channel additive model distinguishing encapsulation-driven decoherence (∝ f_enc(L)) from efficiency-imbalance-driven decoherence (∝ 1−Γ(η)). (iv) The quantum-to-classical transition is refined from a binary "L ≥ 3" threshold to a three-regime crossover governance (L ≤ 2 quantum, L = 3–4 crossover, L ≥ 5 effective classical), with the L_branch concept distinguishing whole-object coherence (excluded) from collective-coordinate coherence (experimentally observed). (v) The Schrödinger's cat paradox receives its constitutional resolution: the radioactive atom is non-matter (transient constraint events); the cat is matter (E ∈ {0,1} binary). The paradox arises from conflating these two constitutional domains. Ten core constitutional deepenings distinguish v3.1 from its predecessor. DEEPENING-1: The wavefunction's ontic status is systematically situated against all six major QM interpretations (Copenhagen, Many-Worlds, de Broglie–Bohm, QBism, GRW, EET), establishing EET's distinct constitutional position. DEEPENING-2: The five-channel complete constraint Second Law (CND v4.0, CLOSED) is integrated into the quantum measurement framework, unifying passive decoherence, environmental decoherence, and measurement-induced decoherence as three variants of meltdown channel activation. DEEPENING-3: The dual-channel decoherence model unifies elastic decoherence (reversible, ∝ 1−Γ(η)) and plastic decoherence (irreversible, ∝ C(t), measurement collapse) within a single constitutional framework, resolving the measurement problem. DEEPENING-4: The non-matter → matter constitutional transition is established as the three-step measurement dynamics (Difference Detection → Template Matching → Persistent Record Formation), constitutionally anchored in the constraint formation competition framework. DEEPENING-5: The line graph duality (Field v3.1 R4, Particle v3.3 Part VI) is registered as the graph-theoretic foundation of wave-particle duality—not a quantum mystery, but a universal graph-theoretic theorem. DEEPENING-6: QM and GR co-originate from the energy bifurcation at η = 1: QM is the dynamics of non-matter; GR is the geometry of matter. No "quantization of gravity" is required. DEEPENING-7: Emergent Minkowski spacetime (Space v3.3 §5, Time v3.2 §3.4) is constitutionally registered as QM's constitutional stage—not the background in which QM operates, but the symmetry that emerges at the optimal cooperative capacity point. DEEPENING-8: The quantum-to-classical crossover is governed by three independent constitutional mechanisms (decoherence via meltdown channel, force attenuation via encapsulation depth, and jamming via constraint density), of which decoherence and force attenuation are fully developed in v3.1. DEEPENING-9: Quantum information is constitutionally distinguished as transient information (non-matter, no constraint boundary, no maintenance power, no inertial mass), to be contrasted with constraint-grounded information (matter, persistent, E = mc² > 0). DEEPENING-10: The constitutional responses to twenty-six major problems in quantum mechanics are systematically registered, spanning CLOSED-in-EET (QM-GR co-origination, wave-particle duality, QM ↔ Measurement duality), STANDARD (measurement problem constitutionally located, two-channel decoherence, emergent Minkowski spacetime), WORKING HYPOTHESIS (mass as coarse coherence proxy, quantum Darwinism reformulated as blind pump), and CONJECTURE (AdS/CFT correspondence, CDT/MERA emergence). The document is organized as follows. Part I establishes the constitutional foundations, including the Matter/Non-Matter constitutional chain, Barrier Asymmetry conditionalized, and the QFT vs. EET ontological incommensurability. Part II defines QM as non-matter dynamics, establishes the wavefunction as the complex amplitude of non-matter propagation (with systematic comparison to all major QM interpretations), and delineates the constitutional domain boundaries. Part III provides the complete companion ontology interface system, synchronized through June 2026. Part IV-A presents the mathematical foundations, including the Schrödinger equation dual-path derivation and the constraint network path integral. Part IV-B develops quantum states and dynamics, with entanglement re-expressed as shared constraint boundary topology. Part IV-C provides the measurement framework—the non-matter → matter constitutional transition, five-channel measurement, and responses to Frauchiger-Renner, Leggett-Garg, and indefinite causal order. Part IV-D presents the unified two-channel decoherence model and the quantum-to-classical crossover governance with the L_branch concept. Part IV-E treats the vacuum as the N=0 ground state. Part V covers cross-scale instantiation. Part VI provides nine falsifiable predictions. Part VII lists eleven constitutional open problems. Part VIII systematically registers EET constitutional responses to twenty-six major problems in quantum mechanics. Part IX registers the academic priority of forty-eight constitutional claims. Quantum mechanics is the dynamics of the non-material substrate at its optimal operating point. Measurement is the constitutional transition from non-matter to matter. The Schrödinger equation is the deterministic law of non-matter propagation. The Born rule is the statistical law of the non-matter/matter interface. Together, they constitute the complete constitutional framework of quantum mechanics in EET. Keywords: Non-matter dynamics; matter/non-matter distinction; constraint network; coherent free-state propagation; measurement as constitutional transition; two-channel decoherence; quantum-to-classical crossover; encapsulation-depth refinement; Born rule as interface statistics; η-generalized Lindblad equation; emergent Minkowski spacetime; line graph duality; constitutional ontology of quantum mechanics; Energy-Efficiency Theory.
•Apr 23, 2026•0 citations