Quantum mechanics is a mathematical formalism that models the dynamics of physical objects. It deals with the elementary constituents of matter (atoms, subatomic and elementary particles) and of radiation. It is very accurate in predicting observable physical phenomena, but has many puzzling properties. The foundations of quantum mechanics are a domain in which physics and philosophy concur in attempting to find a fundamental physical theory that explains the puzzling features of quantum mechanics, while remaining consistent with its mathematical formalism. Several theories have been proposed for different interpretations of quantum mechanics. However, there is no consensus regarding any of these theories.
In Newtonian physics, the equation of motion is invariant when the direction of time () is flipped. However, in quantum physics, flipping the direction of time changes the sign of the Schrödinger equation. An anti-unitary operator is needed to restore time reversal in quantum physics, but this is at the cost of not having a consistent definition of time reversal applicable to all fundamental theories. On the other hand, a quantum system composed of a pair of entangled particles behaves in such a manner that when the state of one particle is measured, the second particle ‘simultaneously’ acquires a determinate state. A notion of absolute simultaneity seems to be inferred by quantum mechanics, even though it is forbidden by the postulates of relativity. We aim to point out that the above two problems can be overcome if the wavefunction is defined with respect to proper time, which in fact is the real physical time instead of ordinary time.
All the arguments of a wavefunction are defined at the same instant, implying the notion of simultaneity. In a somewhat related matter, certain phenomena in quantum mechanics seem to have non-local causal relations. Both concepts contradict the special relativity. We propose defining the wavefunction with respect to the invariant proper time of special relativity instead of the standard time. Moreover, we shall adopt the original idea of Schrodinger, suggesting that the wavefunction represents an ontological cloud-like object that we shall call “individual fabric” that has a finite density amplitude vanishing at infinity. Consequently, the action of measurement can be assimilated to the introduction of a confining potential that triggers an inherent nonlocal mechanism within the individual fabric. This mechanism is formalised by multiplying the wavefunction with a localising Gaussian, as in the GRW theory, but in a deterministic manner.
The concept of simultaneity is relative in special relativity whereas, it seems to have a definite meaning in quantum mechanics. On the other hand, theory and experiments in quantum mechanics have revealed the existence of non-local causal relations. We propose to use the invariant space-time interval introduced by special relativity as a benchmark for constructing a spacetime framework presenting a notion of an invariant time. We suggest that a physical system creates a non-local field within the spacetime framework and that the wavefunction of the physical system is an ontological entity that represents this non-local field. We propose to explain measurement and entanglement by using de Broglie Bohm theory in the context of the constructed spacetime framework.
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